Specialise in youth mental health nursing at Orygen Specialist Program
Take the next step in your nursing career and help young people with mental ill-health get well and stay well.
The Graduate Mental Health Nurse Program will give you the skills for a specialist career in youth mental health nursing.
In 2026, Orygen is offering a two-year program with a number of positions available. The program includes:
- A dedicated clinical supervision and a preceptorship program
- Comprehensive academic and induction programs
- Tailored study days
- A unique youth mental health nursing competency framework
- An accredited graduate program, with recognition of prior learning from four well-renowned Victorian universities, including The University of Melbourne, RMIT, La Trobe University and Victoria University.
As part of your practical experience, in your first year you'll work with experienced nurses and clinicians within our inpatient setting. In your second year, you’ll have the opportunity to work within specialist community settings or remain within the inpatient setting and complete your Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing.
Orygen will support you, your career and wellbeing, and work with you to deliver better outcomes for young people and their families, carers and supporters.
You’ll also benefit from learning from the world-leading clinical team at Orygen Specialist Program, who deliver high-quality evidence-based mental health treatment for young people living in the western and north western areas of Melbourne. You will get to be a part of Orygen’s innovative programs that work together to deliver individually-tailored services such as mental health assessment and care, crisis management, psychotherapy, medication, family support, inpatient care, group work, and vocational and educational assistance.
Learn more about the employee benefits available to you as an Orygen Specialist Program employee here.
Application process
Orygen Specialist Program is part of The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Therefore, you must apply to “The Royal Melbourne Hospital - GNMP - Mental Health (Youth)” via the Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria and via the RMH Careers page.
Follow the steps below to learn more.
1. Review the Orygen Mental Health Nurse position description.
2. Attend one of our information sessions held at various times and locations across 2025. Please email Lucy.Graham@mh.org.au for more information.
3. Applications open in May 2025, to be submitted via PMCV and RMH, as linked above. Applicants must complete these two processes for their applications to be considered.
Interview process
Orygen will hold individual online interviews during July 2025. If you're selected, we'll contact you via your nominated email, with a date and time for your interview.
Outcome and offer
You'll receive a notification from PMCV with your outcome. If you're offered a position with us, you'll have 48 hours to accept your position in the Orygen Graduate Youth Mental Health Nursing Program. We will contact you soon after to congratulate and welcome you to the program.
Hear from our graduates
Ali, Orygen Post-Graduate Mental Health Nurse
"My initial three months working as a graduate nurse at Orygen Inpatient has been an uplifting experience. Continuously absorbing mental health knowledge and acquiring new skills has been enriching. However, the most fulfilling aspect has been the privilege of directly engaging with young people. Watching their journey to recovery progress fills me with immense pride, and every step they take forward brings me great excitement.“
Anna, Orygen Post-Graduate Mental Health Nurse
“Transitioning from being an undergraduate student to becoming a nurse can be a challenging and stressful experience. However, the team at Orygen is incredibly welcoming and supportive, they helped me build confidence and develop different skills to ensure a smooth transition.”
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, email Lucy.Graham@mh.org.au
