Victoria University
Graduate Certificate in Nursing
- Delivery: Online
- Commitment: 15 - 20 hours/week
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 8 months
Deliver better nursing for better health through leadership, research and innovation.

Course overview
VU Online’s Graduate Certificate in Nursing is designed for registered nurses to transform the delivery of healthcare services in Australia. You can successfully earn your Graduate Certificate in Nursing by enrolling in four consecutive study periods of seven weeks each. This means you can enrol and complete your degree in as little as eight months.
Each course is delivered 100% online, giving students the flexibility to fit study around their busy personal and professional lives. At VU Online, the university take a personalised 1:1 approach to online learning, which makes learning with us highly interactive and supported.
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
From $578 (CSP)
16th March, 2026
11th May, 2026
6th July, 2026
31st August, 2026
26th October, 2026
What you will study
To attain the Graduate Certificate in Nursing, students must complete the following four units:
Core units
- Promoting Cultural Competence and Community Health
- Care Coordination in Practice
- Leading Improvement and Innovation
- Evidence and Research for Practice
Entry requirements
To apply for the online Graduate Certificate of Nursing, you are required to have:
- Completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor's of Nursing, or equivalent qualification; AND
- Current Registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA); OR
- Applicants without an AQF 7 Bachelor's Degree of Nursing or equivalent qualification but who hold a current Registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with the Australian Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) will be considered for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Australia requires registered nurses with advanced knowledge, skills and competencies to help drive the transformation of its healthcare system.
This qualification may enable you to move up to the next level of your nursing career—you may become the next Nurse Unit Manager.
Australian Registered Nurses (RNS) will be eligible for the postgraduate qualification allowance after completing this course.
Fees and CSP
Total cost for four units in 2025: $2,312 (Commonwealth Supported Places)
Total cost for four units in 2025: $11,800 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The total cost of completing your degree at Victoria University (VU) Online depends on the number of units you study and the amount of advanced standing you receive, which is assessed after you apply.
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 may 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)
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place where the government pays for part of your unit fees. This is a subsidy, not a loan, so you do not need to pay it back. Your remaining fees may also be eligible for FEE-HELP.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the 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.