University of Notre Dame Australia
Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Nursing
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Prepares registered nurses for advanced roles in surgical care, combining in-depth theoretical learning with hands-on clinical practice to enhance patient outcomes in perioperative environments.
Course overview
If you are a Registered nurse already working in the perioperative environment of one of the university's affiliated health services, caring for patients recovering from primary operations, the Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Nursing from The University of Notre Dame Australia could be your qualification. This postgraduate program can be completed in one year of full-time study.
Furthering your nursing career and specialising in the perioperative care of patients, the Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Nursing is designed for working professionals such as you. If you enrol in this program, you will receive rigorous and demanding training from some of the best health providers in the country. Classes are held off-campus at one of the university's partner health institutions in Western Australia.
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
The Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Nursing requires the completion of the following courses equivalent to 200 units of credit. Unless otherwise indicated, each course is valued at 25 units of credit.
Compulsory courses
Complete the following courses:
- Pathophysiology Processes Related to Therapeutic Actions (Perioperative)
- Clinical Practice (Perioperative Nursing) (50 units of credit)
- Professional Development (Perioperative)
- Reflective Practice (Perioperative) (50 units of credit)
- Management (Perioperative)
- Ethical Issues for Professional Life
Entry requirements
The following entry requirements apply to this program:
- Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia or provisional registration, whichever is applicable at the time of commencement.
- Nursing of another appropriate degree or the equivalent.
- Minimum of one year relevant post-registration nursing experience.
- Currently working as a Registered Nurse in the perioperative environment of a partnership facility.
- Current employment contract for the term of the program with an approved health service.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Advanced Standing is a way the university recognises the studies you've already completed. Instead of repeating subjects, you get credit for them, saving you time and money. You might be eligible for this credit if you've completed studies at any university (even here at Notre Dame), including single subjects. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Nursing, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of concepts and principles framing perioperative nursing care.
- Apply advanced technical competence in perioperative nursing, demonstrating portability of learning from one speciality to another.
- Demonstrate leadership and interpersonal communication skills within the interprofessional perioperative environment.
- Provide evidence-based quality care within an ethical and legal framework.
- Utilise technology to enable research and reflective practice within the perioperative environment.
Career outcomes
A Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Nursing will give you the qualifications to work as a perioperative nurse.
Fees and CSP
Estimated total fee in 2026: From $6,318 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Estimated total fee in 2026: From $25,450 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 200 units of credit (normally eight courses) per year.
Student 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.
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 the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
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 program.
