University of Melbourne
Graduate Certificate in Primary Care Nursing
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Preparing nurses to lead holistic, community-focused care through a curriculum that fuses clinical precision with the evolving needs of diverse populations.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Primary Care Nursing at the University of Melbourne provides a comprehensive, evidence-based education in chronic disease management and preventive health. The course enhances nurses' clinical practice skills and knowledge while preparing them for leadership and advanced clinical roles in primary care. It supports career goals by offering elective subjects aligned with clinical or academic interests. It helps nurses deepen their understanding of the primary care system, including the policies and guidelines that drive evidence-based, patient-centred care.
This primary care nursing certification can be completed in six months full-time or 12 months part-time and entirely online.
Who is the Graduate Certificate in Primary Care Nursing for?
This certificate is designed for registered nurses working in primary care with at least one year of clinical experience. It is ideal for nurses seeking to advance their careers and extend their scope of practice. The university students work in:
- General Practice
- Community
- Aged Care
- Correctional Health
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations
- Rural and Remote Health
- Refugee Health
Key facts
What you will study
Students must complete four core subjects or 50 credit points to earn the Graduate Certificate in Primary Care Nursing.
Students must complete the following core subjects:
- Chronic Disease Management: Foundations
- Chronic Disease Management: In Practice
- Preventive Health Care
Entry requirements
To be considered for entry into this course, you must have:
- Completed a Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent).
- Documented evidence of at least one year of relevant professional experience in a clinical setting.
- Current unrestricted registration as a Division 1 Registered Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Applicants must be registered nurses (not enrolled nurses) and must have at least one year of experience as registered nurses. This course has been developed for nurses working in general practice or wanting to move into primary care.
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
Graduates will be able to use the confidence and skills gained during this course to provide their patients with an advanced level of evidence-based care. Additionally, graduates can increase their scope of practice by choosing an elective for immunisation or cervical screening.
Career outcomes
Graduates who complete the Nurse Immuniser elective are eligible to work as nurse immunisers across all states, subject to local regulations. The optional clinical placement component provides a significant advantage in securing employment, particularly in local government or GP clinics.
Graduates who complete the Clinical and Sexual Reproductive Health elective can choose to complete an additional clinical practicum to become Nurse Cervical Screening Providers.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative total course fee in 2025: $12,992 (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 study load) commencing semester one of the listed year, except for courses with a duration of less than 1 EFTSL.
A student’s annual fee may vary depending on:
- 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.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
