Graduate Diploma of Health (Child and Family Health Nursing)

What you will study

Students must complete the following units, totalling 120 credit points. Unless otherwise indicated, each unit consists of 15 credit points.

• Foundations in Child and Family Health (30 credit points)
• Family and Community Studies (30 credit points)
• Perinatal and Infant Mental Health 2
• Advanced Clinical Practice in Child and Family Health
• Infant and Child Nutrition
• Applied Health Research and Evidence-Based Practice

Entry requirements

Entry requirements (non-year 12)

• Applicants for this stream of the course must:
• Hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as both a Registered Nurse and a Midwife, with no conditions on their registration.

Meet recency of practice requirements as per the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, which includes:

• A minimum of 12 months full-time experience in both Nursing and Midwifery,
• A minimum of 5 years full-time experience in either Nursing or Midwifery.

To demonstrate work experience, you should provide a CV/Resume listing your previous positions and education, with a maximum of 2 pages.  
Students who have completed a Graduate Diploma of Midwifery may be eligible for advanced standing, subject to equivalency.

Extra requirements

Extra requirements to be supplied with the application:

All applicants must complete and submit:

• Copy/ies of my nursing and midwifery bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Proof of current AHPRA nursing and/or midwifery registration.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) with evidence of at least 12 months post-graduate experience in Nursing and Midwifery.
• Completed and signed immunisation status form [https://federation.edu.au/future-students/study-at federation/apply/domestic/how-to-apply/vtac-requirements].
• Completed supplementary application form.
• Working with Child Check (WWCC).
• Confirmation of placement with the local council.

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

Completing the Graduate Diploma of Health will enhance your professional standing and provide you with advanced skills and knowledge for application as a leader in the nursing practice and knowledge community.

• Child and Family Health Nurse

Fees and CSP

Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $4,738 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 120 credit points (normally eight units) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of Commonwealth Supported Places to 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 courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
• Depending 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.