Mental Health Graduate Nurse Program 2026

• Are you looking for a Graduate Nurse Program in Mental Health?
• Multiple ongoing Full-time or Part-time (0.8) positions available
• 2-year supported program commencing in January 2026
• Extensive investment in facilities and people supporting our significant service expansion

A culture where people care

A career in the forensic mental health sector is diverse, challenging and rewarding. A career at Forensicare will be like no other. If you’re passionate about supporting people in their mental health recovery, Forensicare is where you need to be. You will be a part of a caring and supportive team, making a real difference to people living with the dual stigma of mental illness and offending. We approach our work with curiosity and a commitment to understanding the unique needs of our consumers and carers. Working across community, hospital and prison settings, you can learn, apply your specialist skills and advance in your profession. Together, we can contribute to a more connected, compassionate mental health and criminal justice system.

Job location

Thomas Embling Hospital, located in Fairfield just 15 minutes north of the Melbourne city centre. Due to expansion, we have a need for experienced like-minded professionals to join our team. Thomas Embling Hospital is a secure Mental Health, currently 134 bed hospital providing acute care, rehabilitation, and continuing care programs. The expansion will significantly increase access to care; we will have a dedicated Women’s service and an additional medium secure men’s facility. Forensicare also provides specialist forensic mental health services across 12 of Victoria’s 14 prisons with expansion underway to include Western Plains in the Barwon region. Graduates will also have the opportunity for clinical rotations across the prison services, including Ravenhall Correctional Centre, Dame Phyllis Frost Centre & Melbourne Assessment Prison.

About the Role:

The Early Career Graduate Nurse Program is an integral part of Forensicare, in our commitment to develop our future workforce. This structured program is tailored towards supporting the graduate nurse to transition from student to Registered Psychiatric Nurse. The program incorporates clinical experience, education and support with post-graduate qualifications to assist newly Registered Nurses to develop core skills and competency as a Mental Health Nurse. During the program you will get opportunities to work across various clinical areas, supported by clinical nurse educators, the early career co-ordinator and preceptors, in addition to regular education days and paid study leave.

To facilitate the development of graduates into competent, knowledgeable and responsible Mental Health Nurses, all graduate nurses will be enrolled into the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing, with our university partners. On successful completion of academic and clinical components of the graduate year you will continue onto the post graduate year.

Graduates will work rostered shifts, including nights. Rotations during the program will be split between various areas within Forensicare, with the opportunity for rotations at Thomas Embling Hospital and Prison based services.

If you are a newly Registered Nurse who wants to pursue a career in this specialist area of mental health nursing, this program offers a pathway to prepare you for ongoing employment opportunities in mental health nursing.

Duties:

• Applies to practice the recognised nursing competencies and psychiatric nursing standards of practice.
• Uses an evidence-based practice and recovery orientated approach to nursing
• Develops skills to undertake comprehensive nursing assessments of patients, plans, implements and evaluates initial and ongoing risk assessment and care of consumers
• Works within and ethically and legally sound framework
• Enrol in and complete academic requirements in obtaining a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing
• Meet all program, clinical and academic requirements and expectations as outlined as part of the Graduate Nurse Program

About You:

• All graduates must be registered with AHPRA prior to the commencement of the program on 19th January 2026.

• An understanding of health assessment, care planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing interventions
• Commitment to mental health consumer recovery
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• A demonstrated ability to practice collaboratively and effectively within a team, displaying high professional conduct and reliability
• Dedicated commitment to evidence-based practice with High motivation and willingness to learn, including obtaining post graduate tertiary education in Mental Health Nursing
• An awareness of organisational purpose

What you need:

• Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulations Agency (AHPRA), prior to program commencement
• Registered & enrolled in PMCV Allocation & Placement Service 2025 match
• The successful candidate will be required to register their qualifications on eCredentials

How to Apply:

1. Register and apply for PMCV Allocation & Placement Service 2025 match – listing Forensicare (Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health) as a preference, including 2 clinical references
2. Submit Direct Application below, including

• Cover Letter
• CV