Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing

What you will study

Students must complete four core subjects or 50 credit points to earn the Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing.

Core subjects

Students must complete the following core subjects:

• Applied Pathophysiology
• Foundations in Paediatric Nursing
• Paediatric Nursing
• Paediatric Nursing Practice

Entry requirements

To be eligible for this course, your hospital must nominate you to support you in undertaking the clinical practice component of the course. Speak with your Education Manager or Clinical Nurse Educator to confirm that your hospital will support your clinical supervision.

To be considered for entry, applicants must have completed one of the following:

• A Master of Nursing Science, or a Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent qualification).
• At least one year of documented clinical experience as a Registered Nurse working in an acute or sub-acute healthcare service within the preceding five years from the time of application.
• Current unrestricted registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
• Current employment and evidence of clinical support in your speciality area.
• Evidence of clinical support from a partnering health service will be employed at least three (3) days or 24 hours per week for the standard course duration in a clinical setting that will provide the relevant clinical experience to meet course learning outcomes.

Please note: Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing must be employed by a Centre of Excellence (COE) or a partnering hospital to undertake this course. Applicants not used by a Centre of Excellence (COE) or a partnering hospital must provide evidence of current clinical employment and support from their employing hospital.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in several ways, including a recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• IELTS – 6.5, with no band less than 6.0
• TOEFL – 79+, with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13
• Pearson – 64+, with no communicative skill below 60
• Cambridge – 176+, with no skill less than 169

Contact the university or visit their website for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

As a student of this course, you will:

• Examine core pathophysiological concepts: Explore the underlying pathophysiology of paediatric diseases and develop knowledge and skills required to prioritise care of paediatric patients.
• Extend your knowledge of patient assessment and management: Broaden your knowledge and theory of paediatrics and learn how to assess infants, children and adolescents. Develop specialist expertise in the principles of growth and development, nutritional requirements, fluid and electrolyte management, paediatric respiratory illnesses, and other common paediatric conditions, including management of paediatric surgical patients.
• Apply your new knowledge in the clinical setting: You will receive supervised training in your employing hospital, undertake accurate assessments of paediatric patients, and provide age and developmentally appropriate nursing care, demonstrating that you can integrate theoretical knowledge with technical skill.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative first-year and total course fee in 2026: $14,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Unless otherwise noted, the indicative total course fee shown above assumes a study load of 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) commencing semester one of the listed year, except for courses with a duration of less than 1 EFTSL.

Fees are subject to annual review by the University, with any new rates effective from the beginning of each calendar year.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

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

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.