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We list postgraduate courses from 25+ respected and reputable institutions in Australia.
There were over 320,000 nurses in Australia as of 2024, with that number steadily increasing. Whether you’re a nurse looking to take the next step in your career, regain full registration or transition from another field into nursing, a postgraduate nursing course can help you get there.
Rather than paying full fees, you can significantly reduce the cost of your course by choosing one that offers a Commonwealth supported place (CSP). With a CSP, the Australian Government subsidises a portion of your tuition, making your postgraduate qualification more affordable. Take a look at our guide to postgraduate CSP courses in healthcare to learn how CSPs work, how they differ from other funding schemes and how much you could save.
The Master of Nursing (Pre-Registration) at the University of Wollongong offers the largest discount at 85 per cent off, with savings of more than $55,000. Read on to discover the other postgraduate CSP nursing courses and see how much each course costs.
10 postgraduate CSP nursing courses with the biggest discounts in 2026
We’ve looked through our extensive catalogue of postgraduate CSP nursing courses on the GlobalHealth Education website and curated a list of the top 10 courses with the biggest discounts in 2026. Ranked from the largest to the smallest discount, all percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number.
While there are a plethora of postgraduate CSP nursing courses available, spots are limited. As CSPs are highly competitive, meeting the eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee admission into the course.
To ensure discount percentages are accurate, we’ve only featured courses where both the full-fee and CSP prices are listed on the university’s website, either on the course page or a dedicated fees page.
Please note that all prices are subject to change and may vary depending on the course, study load and units selected.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure that pricing information is accurate and up to date, no guarantee is given, nor responsibility taken, for variations or discrepancies in pricing.
Master of Nursing (Pre-Registration) at the University of Wollongong – 85% off
Looking to pivot into a career in nursing? This master’s course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to become a competent nurse. You’ll learn the foundations of nursing, build your clinical skills and gain an in-depth understanding of pharmacology.
To put what you’ve learned into practice, you’ll complete 840 hours of clinical placements across various settings and health districts. You’ll also learn through a range of methods, including interactive tutorials and collaborative learning in simulated clinical labs.
Who should study this course?
This course is suitable for anyone with a bachelor’s degree looking to pursue a career as a nurse. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to register with Ahpra through the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this course, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- A recognised bachelor’s degree with an average mark of 60 per cent or greater, completed within the last 10 years
- A recognised bachelor’s degree with an average mark of 60 per cent or greater, completed more than 10 years ago, plus a completed postgraduate qualification with an average mark of 60 per cent or greater, completed within the last 10 years
Course intake month in 2026: January
Course duration: Two years full-time
Estimated full-fee cost: $69,317
Estimated total fee with a CSP: $10,664
Master of Nurse Practitioner (Online) at La Trobe University – 85% off
Develop the professional leadership, person-centred care and advanced clinical assessment skills required to become a nurse practitioner. As part of the course, you’ll complete units such as Advanced Clinical Evidence for Nursing Practice and Advanced Clinical Nursing Practice.
You’ll also undertake 300 hours of supervised placement with your employer, enhance your diagnostic and critical thinking skills and develop the knowledge to identify the effects of medications on physiological, biochemical and pathophysiological body systems.
Who should study this course?
This course is ideal for nurses looking to take the next step in their career and move into a nurse practitioner role. Upon graduation, you will be able to apply for endorsement as a nurse practitioner.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the course, you must have:
- Confirmation of Australian work-based clinical placement support to undertake 300 hours of supervised Integrated Professional Practice (IPP) during the clinical internship
- Current employment in an area of specialty nursing practice
- At least five years of full-time equivalent registered nursing experience in a specific clinical field, with at least two years of full-time equivalent (approximately 3,600 hours) advanced nursing practice in the relevant clinical field
- Current Ahpra registration as a registered nurse
- A postgraduate diploma (or higher) in a clinical nurse specialty relevant to your advanced practice experience
Course intake months in 2026: March and July
Course duration: Two years part-time
Estimated full-fee cost: $30,600
Estimated total fee with a CSP: $4,738
Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-Entry) (Online) at CQUniversity – 84% off
If you’re a registered nurse who has taken a break from nursing, this course will help you regain full registration by building upon your existing skills. As part of the course, you’ll complete three core units along with a five-day residential school and 160 hours of industry-based learning.
You’ll design and communicate a quality improvement plan in a simulated health setting and gain advanced knowledge in nursing assessment and care planning. The course can be completed either full-time or part-time, and upon graduation, you’ll feel confident and ready to return to the nursing workforce.
Who should study this course?
This course is suitable for nurses who have taken a break from nursing and no longer meet the NMBA’s recency of practice requirements. Upon completion, individuals will be eligible for registration as a registered nurse with the NMBA.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this course, you must:
- Be referred by the NMBA to undertake a board-approved re-entry to practice program, with a copy of the referral submitted with your application
Course intake months in 2026: March and July
Course duration: Six months full-time or the part-time equivalent
Estimated full-fee cost: $15,078
Estimated total fee with a CSP: $2,368
Graduate Certificate of Perioperative Nursing (Online) at Deakin University – 84% off
Gain advanced perioperative nursing skills in this comprehensive course that will give you the competencies to tackle the challenges of perioperative nursing. Consisting of four units, this course covers all perioperative specialty areas, including intraoperative, perianaesthesia and post-anaesthesia care.
While the course centres on gaining the skills to deliver safe, person-centred care, you’ll also hone your teamwork and communication skills and learn how to maintain collaborative professional relationships within the perioperative healthcare team to manage risk and optimise patient outcomes.
Who should study this course?
This course is suitable for nurses looking to enhance their skills in perioperative nursing without committing to a lengthy course. Graduates can work in a variety of roles, including, anaesthetic nurse, instrument nurse and circulating nurse.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this course, you must:
- Be registered as a registered nurse with the NMBA with no conditions or restrictions
- Provide evidence of secure, ongoing employment of at least 24 hours per week in an Australian hospital, working in a relevant specialty practice area with appropriate clinical supervision
Course intake month in 2026: February
Course duration: One year part-time
Estimated full-fee cost: $14,700
Estimated total fee with a CSP: $2,369
Graduate Certificate of Intensive Care Nursing (Online) at Deakin University – 84% off
Gain the specialty skills required to care for critically ill patients in intensive care and high dependency units. Delivered online, this course will give you a comprehensive understanding of intensive care nursing practice and the knowledge to play a greater role in the care of the critically ill.
As part of the course, you’ll learn the core principles of critical care nursing, develop skills in assessing and managing critically ill patients and strengthen your skills in haemodynamic monitoring, artificial ventilation and ECG interpretation.
Who should study this course?
This course is suitable for individuals looking to specialise in intensive care nursing or further their career in the field. Upon graduation, nurses may pursue roles such as ICU nurse, clinical nurse specialist or clinical nurse educator.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this course, you must:
- Be registered as a registered nurse with the NMBA with no conditions or restrictions
- Provide evidence of secure, ongoing employment of at least 24 hours per week in an Australian hospital, working in a relevant specialty practice area with appropriate clinical supervision
Course intake months in 2026: February and June
Course duration: One year part-time
Estimated full-fee cost: $14,700
Estimated total fee with a CSP: $2,369
Graduate Diploma of Emergency Nursing (Online) at Deakin University – 84% off
This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to assess and prioritise patients presenting to emergency departments. You’ll complete four mandatory core units and choose from a list of electives ranging from Management of Diabetes to Ethical Dimensions in Nursing and Leadership and Management in Nursing.
While you’ll learn the core principles of critical care nursing, you’ll also strengthen your skills in assessment, triage and initial management of emergency department patients and explore communication and collaborative practice in specialty settings.
Who should study this course?
This course is ideal for nurses who are looking to develop a more comprehensive understanding of emergency nursing and advance their knowledge in the field. Upon graduation, nurses can pursue roles across advanced practice, leadership and management in regional, rural or metropolitan emergency departments.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this course, you must:
- Be registered as a registered nurse with the NMBA with no conditions or restrictions
- Provide evidence of secure, ongoing employment of at least 24 hours per week in an Australian hospital, working in a relevant specialty practice area with appropriate clinical supervision
Course intake months in 2026: February and June
Course duration: Two years part-time
Estimated full-fee cost: $29,400
Estimated total fee with a CSP: $4,739
Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing (Cardiac) (Online) at Deakin University – 84% off
This customisable specialist course is ideal for nurses looking to take the next step in their career. You’ll enhance your clinical decision-making skills and strengthen your expertise in research, clinical governance and specialty nursing practice.
As part of the cardiac specialisation, you’ll develop a strong foundation in critical care nursing and advance your skills in interventional treatment modalities such as cardiac assist devices and interventional procedures for structural heart disease, cardiac failure and acute coronary syndrome.
Who should study this course?
This course is suitable for nurses looking to gain a comprehensive postgraduate qualification while strengthening their knowledge of cardiac nursing. As nurses can choose between either a coursework or thesis pathway, it gives them the flexibility to tailor the course to their career goals.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this course, you must:
- Be registered as a registered nurse with the NMBA with no conditions or restrictions
- Provide evidence of secure, ongoing employment of at least 24 hours per week in an Australian hospital, working in a relevant specialty practice area with appropriate clinical supervision
Course intake months in 2026: March and July
Course duration: Three years part-time
Estimated full-fee cost: $44,100
Estimated total fee with a CSP: $7,107
Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing (Perianaesthesia) (Online) at Deakin University – 84% off
Advance your skills in perianaesthesia with this specialised nursing course where you’ll have the opportunity to choose between a coursework or thesis pathway. The coursework pathway focuses on research and honing your specialty nursing knowledge and skills, while the thesis pathway involves preparing a research thesis related to nursing and nursing practice.
As part of the perianaesthesia specialisation, you’ll also advance your knowledge of pharmacological therapies and complete units such as Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning and Principles of Complex Perianaesthesia Nursing Care.
Who should study this course?
This course is suited to nurses looking to further their skills in perianaesthesia. As the course is completed online and part-time, it’s suitable for nurses who want to upskill while managing professional and personal responsibilities.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this course, you must:
- Be a registered nurse with the NMBA with no conditions or restrictions
- Provide evidence of secure, ongoing employment of at least 24 hours per week in an Australian hospital, working in a relevant specialty practice area with appropriate clinical supervision
Course intake months in 2026: March and July
Course duration: Three years part-time
Estimated full-fee cost: $44,100
Estimated total fee with a CSP: $7,107
Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing (Online) at Curtin University – 84% off
Develop your skills in complex clinical decision-making in this specialised nursing course. You’ll learn core concepts and physiology related to homeostatic function and strengthen your capabilities in areas such as evidence-informed nursing practice, patient advocacy and holistic nursing practice.
While the course focuses on developing your clinical skills in acute care nursing, it also covers communication and leadership concepts, giving you a well-rounded foundation for advanced practice. Consisting of four units, upon completion, you can continue on to complete the Master of Advanced Practice.
Who should study this course?
This course is suitable for nurses looking to specialise in acute care nursing and improve their skills in this area. As it’s a shorter qualification, it’s ideal for nurses who want to build on their expertise without committing to a lengthy degree.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this course, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree and registration as a comprehensive or general nurse in Division One with the NMBA
- Have a minimum of 12 months of experience in a specialist area of practice and be employed in an approved area, working a minimum of 18 to 24 hours per week
Course intake month in 2026: February
Course duration: One year part-time
Estimated full-fee cost: $14,665
Estimated total fee with a CSP: $2,400
Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing (Online) at Deakin University – 83% off
This course will equip you with the competencies to step into a nurse leadership role. You’ll complete a core unit and choose from a list of electives, which includes Leadership and Management in Nursing, Facilitating Clinical Learning and Therapeutic Medication Management.
You’ll learn the role of clinical governance and its importance, along with the factors that impact patient safety and risk management in healthcare. This course is offered online and can be completed in either a part-time or full-time capacity.
Who should study this course?
This course is suitable for nurses looking to drive positive patient outcomes and step into a senior role in nursing management, education or research.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this course, you must:
- Be registered as a registered nurse with the NMBA with no conditions or restrictions
Course intake months in 2026: March and July
Course duration: Six months full-time or the part-time equivalent
Estimated full-fee cost: $14,700
Estimated total fee with a CSP: $2,431
Need help figuring out your next steps? Book a complimentary call with our Education Consultant, Catriona. She’s a professional career development practitioner with years of experience and can help you craft a practical plan. She can also help with any additional questions you might have about CSPs, including how to apply, what you’re eligible for and how to choose the right course.
Explore more postgraduate CSP nursing courses
Many universities in Australia offer CSPs for their postgraduate nursing programs across various specialisations and course levels. Explore our full catalogue featuring postgraduate nursing CSP courses here.
