Mental Health Nursing
General Information | Mental Health Nursing in Australia
ANZ Nurses Boards (Licensing Authorities)
In order to practice as a Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse in Australia and New Zealand, you are required to have a current license to practice within the jurisdiction you work. Once registered, you are able to be registered in any of the other jurisdictions if you chose to move inter-State or between Australia and New Zealand due to the provisions of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act.
Your registration is recognized automatically, when you apply to another Nurse Registration Authority. It is renewable every year. You are not required to be a registered mental health/psychiatric nurse to practice in mental health, although some authorities do have endorsements for mental health/psychiatric nursing qualifications. If you are a single certificated psychiatric nurse, you may be restricted to practice within mental health only. To be an independent Nurse Practitioner in mental health you must be additionally registered as a Nurse Practitioner, and you are advised to seek/be credentialed.
Overseas Applicants
You will need to obtain a suitable visa and you should contact either the Australian Nursing Council or Nursing Council of New Zealand to clarify requirements and seek advice as your first step.
Credentialing
The College credentialing program (CPP) does recognize postgraduate learning, experience and qualifications in mental health nursing. The credential lasts for three years and entitles you to place MHN behind your name in addition to RN. It is transportable everywhere in Australia and flags to employers, consumers and colleagues your specialist skills and credentials.
For more information visit the College website credentialing pages and view the College position papers on Education and Definition and Scope of Practice of the Mental Health Nurse in Australia.
Professional Indemnity
This is not generally required as you are usually covered under vicarious liability by your employer. However, there are circumstances where you may not be protected. Membership of a union such as the Australian Nursing Federation does provide some access to both industrial and legal advice/representation but does not usually include professional indemnity - check with your preferred association or union.
If you are in private practice or a Nurse Practitioner you are required to have professional indemnity.