Queensland University of Technology
Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Intensive Care Nursing)
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Prepares nurses to manage complex patients expertly in high-acuity environments with advanced clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Nursing offers a short, focused program of study for professionals looking to upgrade their qualifications. This flexible course design means you can shape your course to suit your interests and career aspirations. QUT's programs offer students a supportive, flexible learning environment that integrates online technologies and promotes a socially collaborative community.
In the Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Intensive Care Nursing) program, students will explore the theoretical, conceptual and practical knowledge required to provide effective nursing care for diverse and complex critically ill patients in the intensive care unit, an increasingly complex technological environment.
To qualify for this program, you must be currently working as a registered nurse at least 0.4 FTE (full-time equivalent) in a level II (two) or III (three) intensive care unit, as defined by the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (CICM) Minimum Standards for Intensive Care Units or as accredited by the CICM for training in intensive care medicine and have at least six months FTE (full-time equivalent) experience in an intensive care setting.
This course is delivered in part-time mode. External students are supported with an extensive learning package of electronic resources.
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
July, 2026
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Intensive Care Nursing), students must complete 48 credit points (four units).
Core units
- Leadership in Nursing
- Contemporary Issues in Intensive Care
- Specialist Intensive Care Nursing
Elective units
Complete one unit from the following:
- Principles of Education for Health Professionals
- Education Design for Health Professionals
- Contemporary Issues in Acute Nursing
- Contemporary Issues in Primary Health Care
- Specialist Primary Health Care
- Foundations of Digital Health
- Ageing and Health Assessment
- Skin and Wound Care
- Dementia
- Complex Care for the Older Person
- Palliative and End of Life Care
- Or other 12 credit point units approved by the Postgraduate Nursing Course Coordinator
Entry requirements
You must have:
- A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in nursing.
- Current registration as a Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Study area requirements
In some study areas, applicants must comply with specific clinical requirements.
You will be asked to confirm your professional experience before enrolling in units requiring workplace-based clinical practice. You will also need to maintain access to the relevant practice setting for the duration of the course. Suppose you do not confirm your professional experience or maintain access to a relevant practice setting. In that case, you cannot complete the clinical assessment components required to complete units in the study area.
Contact the university for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be able to have your past studies or work experience count as credit towards your QUT course. QUT call this ‘advanced standing’. That means you might not have to complete all the units in your course structure. You may be able to graduate sooner. Exemptions are assessed individually - talk to QUT's Course Consultant for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Possible careers:
- Clinical Nurse
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Domain Specialist Nurse
- Nurse Case Manager
- Specialist Nurse
Fees and CSP
Indicative 2026 fee: $2,500 per year full-time for 48 credit points (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. QUT reviews fees annually. They may be subject to increases.
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
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.
- Dependent 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.
