Federation University of Australia
Master of Health (Child and Family Health Nursing)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Enhance skills in community child and family health nursing by critically analysing and applying primary healthcare principles.
Course overview
This course prepares individuals who are both registered nurses and midwives to practice as Maternal and Child Health (MCH) nurses in community-based settings with advanced nursing skills to work in partnership with families from birth to school age.
Coursework from the Graduate Diploma of Health (Child and Family Health Nursing) is delivered throughout the course, focusing on theoretical and professional practice skills. You will undertake at least 300 hours in community-based professional practice placements as part of the course. Many local government areas across Victoria support your learning, including speciality placements such as early parenting and childcare centres. Applicants need to submit an expression of interest (EOI) to a local government council to secure placement for the duration of the course via the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) website.
This course is open to students who have successfully graduated from a Bachelor of Nursing and Graduate Diploma of Midwifery or Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery. It is also available as a graduate diploma option.
The Child and Family Health (CFH) nursing scholarships are designed to attract high-quality nurse-midwives to increase the capacity of Victoria’s already world-class Maternal and Child Health (MCH) nursing workforce. The Department of Health (DH) supports this scholarship as an initiative of the Victorian Government’s Early Childhood Reform Plan.
The MCH Nursing scholarship provides funding of up to $2,800 for full-time and part-time students. The number and value of scholarships offered will be determined based on the number of eligible applicants who have accepted either a full-fee paying or a commonwealth-supported place (CSP) in a Graduate Diploma or Master of Health (Child and Family Health) course. Priority scholarships of up to $5,500 are also available for eligible students. To qualify for this scholarship, you must: be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or a permanent humanitarian visa holder and have accepted a place as a new student at Federation University.
Current registration as a Midwife and a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with a minimum of 12 months experience in general nursing and midwifery without restrictions with AHPRA are set qualification requirements for eligibility into the Graduate Diploma or Master of Health (Child and Family Health) course. Students who have previously received a CFH Nursing Scholarship from the Department of Education and Training (DET) or the Department of Health (DH) will be ineligible for scholarship funding.
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
1st March, 2027
19th July, 2027
What you will study
To complete the Master of Health (Child and Family Health Nursing), you must fulfil 240 credits. Unless otherwise indicated, each units consists of 15 credit points.
Students must complete the following:
- Foundations in Child and Family Health
- Family and Community Studies
- 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 the 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 my current AHPRA nursing and midwifery registration.
- CV with evidence of at least 12 months post-grad experience in Nursing and 12 months post-grad experience in Midwifery.
- Completed supplementary application form.
- Confirmation of placement with the local council.
Extra Requirements for Enrolment
- Completed and signed immunisation status form [https://federation.edu.au/future-students/study-at-federation/apply/domestic/how-to-apply/vtac-requirements].
- Working with Child Check (WWCC.
- Proof of my current AHPRA nursing and midwifery registration.
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
Successful completion of the Master of Health will enhance your professional standing and provide you with advanced-level 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.
Student fees 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.
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 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.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
