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.

Clinical place arrangements

Applicants are required to arrange a clinical placement with a local Maternal Child Health (MCH) service and submit confirmation of this as part of the application process. Please refer to the Municipal Association of Victoria website for information about arranging a clinical place, to see the list of Councils and available places and the forms you are required to complete.

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

As a graduate of this course, you will be equipped with an advanced knowledge of family and child health theory and development, as well as how to use a systematic approach to apply this knowledge in various real-world settings. In your professional practice, you will conduct and appraise assessments for maternal, child and family health and wellbeing by interpreting findings and responding to care needs, including referrals when appropriate. You will also utilise evidence-based knowledge to conceptualise and deliver safe and effective practice in a variety of contexts and demonstrate your ability to analyse and generate appropriate solutions to patient health challenges while complying with ethical, legal and regulatory standards.

Essential to your work in this field will be your ability to 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. As part of your continual professional development, you will also demonstrate responsibility and accountability for professional decisions and resolves challenges through application of critical thinking, reflective practice and a commitment to lifelong learning.

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 2026: From $4,738 up to $17,399 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Indicative total fee in 2026: $28,800 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Additional expenses:

• Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): $373 maximum fee for 2026.
• Other items related to your program include field trips, textbooks and equipment.

The 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. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis. These fees should only be used as a guide.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

• 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.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

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.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.