Mental Health Nurse Transition to Professional Practice Program (MHN-TPPP)

Applications open 1 July 2026

The Mental Health Nurse Transition to Professional Practice Program (MHN-TPPP) is a dynamic 18-month program designed specifically for newly graduated nurses who are passionate about making a difference in mental health care. This program equips graduates with the foundational skills, knowledge and professional attitudes needed to thrive as a competent mental health nursing professional.

Why choose the MHN-TPPP?

Hands-on learning: Gain valuable experience through a combination of acute and specialised mental health clinical rotations, where you will work alongside experienced clinical professionals and dedicated mental health nursing education teams.
Personalised support: Benefit from a supportive and safe learning environment that fosters your professional growth and wellbeing.
Comprehensive education: Access targeted educational opportunities designed to deepen your knowledge and skills, enhancing your transition from graduate to professional nurse.
Clear career pathway: Enjoy a structured, guided pathway into mental health nursing where you can map out your journey from novice to expert.

This new and unique program stands out by offering a combination of practical hands-on experience combined with formal education whilst being supported and mentored by an interdisciplinary team of highly skilled mental health professionals.

It’s your opportunity to build a strong foundation and shape your future in mental health nursing.

Key dates

Monday 1 June 2026 - Applications open
Friday 19 June 2026 - Applications close at 5:00 pm
July and August 2026 - Application assessment period
Early September 2026 - First round of provisional offers
Mid to late September 2026 - Subsequent round/s of provisional offers if required

Eligibility

To apply for the MHN-TPPP, registered nurses must meet the following criteria at the time of application:

complete studies between January 2026 and February 2027, or by negotiation within 2 years of graduation with your preferred LHN, ensuring you will be eligible for AHPRA registration a minimum of 4 weeks prior to your commencement date.
complete no more than 456 hours (3 months full time equivalent) of paid experience as a RN in any setting within Australia/New Zealand
- hours of paid experience completed outside of Australia/New Zealand are not counted if the applicant is required to retrain in Australia to obtain Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) registration
complete no more than 3 months of a graduate nurse program (or equivalent) previously in any setting and in any country
apply outside the ‘employment exclusion period’ after taking a Targeted Voluntary Separation Package (TVSP) from the SA Government

Role description

The Registered Nurse Level 1 (RN1) Role Description (PDF 211KB) provides information about the skills, knowledge and attributes considered essential for success.

The Role Description outlines the selection criteria for the RN1 position and is used in the assessment of TPPP applications.

The Registered Nurse Job Capacity Statement (PDF 260KB) provides information about the likely demands of working as a registered nurse.

Locations and specialty programs

Each Local Health Network (LHN) offers a variety of specialty programs across different locations/sites. The number of positions available will vary according to service and operational needs of the LHNs.

When completing your application form you will be asked to select your location/site preferences. Based on this, you will be prompted to choose your preferred specialty program(s), secondary location and intake date(s).

See the statewide map (PDF 317KB) to show the boundaries for each of the regions LHNs.

For information about the speciality programs and rotations being offered by each LHN applicants are encouraged to attend LHN information sessions. For details of information session dates and times visit LHN pages below.

Further information

The Applicant Handbook (PDF 1264KB) and frequently asked questions and may assist you with any questions you have. If you have further questions, email healthjobs@sa.gov.au.

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Last updated: 14 May 2026