Graduate Diploma in Child and Family Health Nursing

What you will study

To graduate, you must complete the following. All courses listed may not be available each semester. Each course is valued at 12 credit points.

Year One of the Program

Complete the following courses:

• Child and Family Nursing in the Community
• Child and Family Health Assessment
• Early Parenting
• Foundational Parent-Infant Mental Health
• Clinical Practice: Maternal and Child Health 1
• Clinical Practice: Maternal and Child Health 2

Electives

Complete 24 credit points or two courses from the following:

• Context of Mental Health Nursing
• Complex Parent-Infant Mental Health
• Foundations of Mental Health Nursing Partnerships
• Indigenous Health
• Therapeutic Initiatives in Mental Health
• Health Inquiry Critique

Students may complete the 24 credit points from any University Postgraduate Elective.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have:

• A Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent;
• A Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, Bachelor of Midwifery or equivalent;
• Current AHPRA registration as both a Nurse (Division 1, General) and Midwife (General);
• Completed one of the following clinical experience pathways:
  • Pathway 1: Completed a minimum of one year (full-time equivalent) post-registration clinical experience as a registered nurse and one year (full-time equivalent) post-registration clinical experience as a registered midwife (two years total);
  • Pathway 2: Completed a minimum of one year (full-time equivalent) post-registration clinical experience as a registered nurse and a Graduate Year Program in Midwifery; or
  • Pathway 3: Completed a minimum of five years (full-time equivalent) post-registration clinical experience as a registered nurse or a minimum of five years (full-time equivalent) post-registration clinical experience as a registered midwife.

AND

• Demonstrated recent clinical experience, defined as a minimum of one year (full-time equivalent) employment within the last five years as a registered nurse or a registered midwife.

English language requirements

You must meet the university's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program. Contact the university or visit their website for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed in a manner consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Communicate in an effective, sensitive and culturally appropriate way to engage and support families, young children and groups from diverse backgrounds in a partnership approach.
• Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for professional decisions and resolve challenges through application of critical thinking, reflective practice and continuing professional development in maternal and child health practice.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of family and child health theory and development and apply it in various real-world settings using a systematic approach.
• Conducted and critically appraised assessments for maternal, child and family health and wellbeing by interpreting findings and responding to care needs, including referrals when appropriate.
• Apply evidence-based Maternal and Child Health knowledge to conceptualise and deliver safe and effective practice in a variety of contexts, independently and collaboratively, with emerging technological advancements.
• Demonstrate the ability to generate and evaluate solutions to all aspects of professional maternal and child health nursing practice while complying with ethical, legal and regulatory standards.
• Apply the principles and methods of scientific inquiry and research, as well as incorporate this information into your professional evidence-based practice.

Career outcomes

Graduates work in maternal and child health nursing in local government, early parenting centres and community services.

Fees and CSP

Indicative fee in 2025: Range from $4,627 to $16,992 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Indicative fee in 2025: $26,880 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

A student’s 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.

You will also need to pay the student services and amenities fee. Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of Commonwealth Supported Places to 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.

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

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.