Adelaide University
Graduate Certificate in Nursing Specialising in Critical Care
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Enhance clinical decision-making skills for complex and urgent situations.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Nursing specialising in Critical Care at Adelaide University is designed for registered nurses who want to advance their expertise in acute health care. You will develop specialised skills in assessing, monitoring and supporting patients with life-threatening conditions, while also learning to work effectively in high-pressure environments.
This program blends theory with clinical application, ensuring that what you learn can be applied directly in practice. Topics cover advanced pathophysiology, critical care interventions, pharmacology and evidence-based nursing practice. You will also strengthen your ability to collaborate with medical teams, support families and respond to urgent care needs with confidence.
Graduates will be prepared to take on expanded roles in intensive care or emergency across hospitals and health services. With increasing demand for skilled critical care nurses, this qualification offers both professional growth and a chance to make a real difference to patient outcomes.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
To complete the study for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Specialising in Critical Care, students must complete 24 units from one of the following options:
Either:
- 24 units from discipline core courses
- 24 units for electives
Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth six units.
Core courses
- Essentials in Critical Care Nursing (12 units)
Critical Care Nursing (12 units)
Electives
- Primary Health Care (12 units)
- Leadership and Management in Nursing and Midwifery (12 units)
- Prescribing for Clinicians
- Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Clinical Practice (12 units)
- Infection Prevention and Control in Practice (12 units)
- Advanced Lactation and Breastfeeding
- Maternal, Child and Family Health (12 units)
- Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Comprehensive Care of the Older Person (12 units)
- Decision-Making for Midwifery and Nursing Practice (12 units)
- Advanced Health Assessment, Diagnostics and Investigations (12 units)
- Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing Practice (12 units)
Entry requirements
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.
- A completed bachelor's degree (AQF level 7) or higher from a recognised higher education institution.
- Hold or be eligible to hold registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Graduates of this program are well-positioned for career progression in critical and acute care. You could take on roles in intensive care units, high dependency units or emergency departments. Or perhaps you see yourself leading clinical practice improvements or mentoring early-career nurses. You might also use this qualification as a pathway into more advanced postgraduate study or leadership positions within health services.
Other career options include:
- Critical Care Nurse
- Intensive Care Nurse
- Emergency Department Nurse
Fees and CSP
Estimated annual fee in 2026: From $2,369 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 24 units (normally four courses) per year.
Student annual fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate programs.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
