10 specialised healthcare courses to help you upskill in 2026

The healthcare landscape continues to evolve rapidly. With advancements in technology, a growing population and the rising demand for specialised skills, upskilling has never been more critical. Healthcare professionals who pursue specialised education not only refine their expertise but also position themselves for leadership roles and more niche career opportunities.

This guide explores seven specialised healthcare courses designed to help you stay competitive and ahead of the curve in 2026. From critical care to mental health , these programs offer essential building blocks for career advancement in many healthcare sectors.

1. Graduate Certificate in Critical Care at the University of Technology Sydney

Who is this course for?

• Registered nurses employed in critical care settings (emergency departments or intensive care units) who wish to build assessment, monitoring and management skills to care for critically ill patients
• Registered nurses looking to progress their careers into leadership and advanced practice roles

Entry requirements

To be eligible for entry into this course, you must have one of the following:

• A UTS-recognised bachelor's degree in nursing or equivalent
• Current Ahpra and NMBA registration as a nurse and evidence of current employment in a critical care environment
• At least one year of post-registration clinical experience demonstrated through a Statement of Service
• Recent relevant work experience in a clinical healthcare role, including evidence of the capacity to undertake tertiary study (for example, a completed hospital or college certificate and relevant professional development)

Delivery mode: Online, part-time (15–20 hours per week) over eight months

Course duration: Eight months

Start dates for 2026: January, March, May, July, August and October

Is FEE-HELP available? Yes

Is CSP available? No

What skills will I learn in the Graduate Certificate in Critical Care?

This critical care nursing course will prepare you to manage and care for individuals with life threatening conditions, injuries and complications. You will gain knowledge in critical care concepts, therapeutic interventions and evaluating complex patient data.

Units you will study include:

• Complex Critical Care
• Professional Practice in Critical Care
• Applied Pathophysiology in Practice
• Specialty Clinical Practice

Some key skills you may learn from these units include:

Communication in critical care
Learn how to effectively navigate critical conversations, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and address sensitive topics such as end-of-life care and organ donation.

Clinical decision-making
Analyse complex patient data, apply evidence-based interventions and make timely, informed decisions in high-pressure environments.

Leadership and professionalism
Develop situational awareness, clinical leadership and ethical decision-making to respond confidently to rapidly changing healthcare scenarios.

Application of pathophysiological knowledge
Develop an understanding of key pathophysiological processes that result in clinical manifestations of disease to advance your clinical practice.

Cultural competence
Deliver culturally responsive care with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health while considering historical and contemporary influences on healthcare delivery.

2. Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries at the Australian Catholic University

Who is this course for?

• Health professionals, such as fitness, allied health or similar looking to develop specialised skills in the prevention, management, exercise prescription and rehabilitation of sports-related injuries

Entry requirements

• A bachelor's degree (or higher) in exercise science, sports science, human movement, physiotherapy, athletic training, physical therapy, kinesiology or related discipline

Delivery mode: Online, part-time

Course duration: Six months

Start dates for 2026: February

Is FEE-HELP available? Yes

Is CSP available? No

What skills will I learn in the Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries?

This graduate certificate equips you with specialist knowledge and practical skills to support clients and athletes in injury prevention and rehabilitation with a focus on returning to sport and related activities.

Units you will study include:

• Strength and Conditioning for Performance and Rehabilitation
• Exercise Prescription for Sports Injury Management Across the Lifespan
• Sports Injury Prevention
• Exercise Rehabilitation for Return to Sports Performance

Some key skills you may learn from these units include:

Advanced exercise prescription

Design evidence-based exercise programs tailored to injury stage, individual capacity and sport-specific goals.

Expert biomechanical and physiological knowledge

Apply biomechanical and physiological principles to assess movement patterns and prescribe corrective interventions.

Performance enhancement skills

Integrate strength and conditioning principles to support strength, mobility, functional movement and optimal performance outcomes.

Sports injury prevention strategies

Analyse risk factors and implement preventive strategies to reduce the likelihood of future injury or re-injury.

3. Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health at the University of Technology Sydney

Who is this course for?

• Registered nurses or midwives looking to specialise in child and family health

Entry requirements:

• A UTS-recognised bachelor’s degree in midwifery or nursing
• Current AHPRA and NMBA registration as a midwife or nurse

Delivery mode: Online, part-time (15–20 hours per week)

Course duration: Eight months, including 120 placement hours

Start dates for 2026: March, June and October

Is FEE-HELP available? Yes

Is CSP available? No

What skills will I learn in the Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health?

This course equips you with the skills to support the health and wellbeing of children and families across various stages of development. You’ll gain comprehensive physical, developmental and socio-emotional assessment skills and apply evidence-based practices.

Practical, hands-on experience is a key component of the course during the latter two units, with mandatory clinical placements in early childhood health settings, which provides real-world application of your skills.

Units you will study include:

• Foundations of Child and Family Health
• Family and Community Health in Practice
• Growth and Development in the Younger Child (First 1,000 Days)
• Growth and Development in the Older Child (The Preschool Years)

Some key skills you may learn from these units include:

Applying primary healthcare principles
Gain the ability to integrate primary healthcare and health promotion strategies to support child and family health outcomes effectively.

Identifying and addressing family and community needs
Develop the skills to identify and address the unique challenges faced by families including cultural diversity, family violence and substance misuse while collaborating with support services.

Conducting developmental and health assessments
Learn to perform comprehensive physical, socio-emotional and developmental assessments of infants and young children using evidence-based tools.

Providing culturally responsive care
Enhance your ability to provide respectful, family-centred care that acknowledges and integrates diverse worldviews, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.

Promoting nutrition and wellbeing
Build knowledge and practical skills to support optimal feeding and nutrition practices for infants and young children while addressing key nutrition issues within family and community contexts.

Effective communication and collaboration
Strengthen interpersonal skills to engage with families, children and healthcare professionals, ensuring holistic and coordinated care delivery.

Analysis and decision-making
Develop the ability to critically analyse complex family health dynamics and apply innovative solutions to improve health outcomes across diverse communities.

4. Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology at Adelaide University

Who is this course for?

• Qualified dental professionals or those with a dental science background who want to specialise in forensic odontology, which is a branch of forensic science that applies dental knowledge to legal investigations and proceedings

Entry requirements:

• A completed Bachelor of Dental Surgery (or higher) from a recognised higher education institution; AND
• At least two years' experience in general dental practice
• An updated CV with comprehensive academic and employment history, as well as the current clinical position held
• Two referees and a one page statement demonstrating your interest and suitability for this field

Delivery mode: Face-to-face

Course duration: 12 months

Start dates for 2026: February and July

Is FEE-HELP available? Yes

Is CSP available? No

What skills will I learn in the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology?

This course equips you with the skills to work in a unique subspeciality combining forensic knowledge and dentistry. You’ll gain important theoretical practical skills to work confidently in forensic dental science, support legal investigations and analyse evidence in legal contexts.

Units you will study include:

• Casework in Forensic Odontology Part 1
• Casework in Forensic Odontology Part 2 
• Principles and Methods of Forensic Odontology 
• Forensic Odontology Research Part 1
• Forensic Odontology Research Part 2 
• Research Methods and Ethics
• Integrated Forensic Science
• Casework in Forensic Odontology
• Casework in Forensic Odontology 
• Forensic Odontology Research 
• Forensic Odontology Research 

Some key skills you may learn from these units include:

Forensic analysis techniques

Develop systematic approaches to interpret dental evidence, including bite mark analysis, human identification and age estimation.

Professional reporting and communication

Learn to prepare admissible forensic reports and deliver expert testimony in legal forums.

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Work closely with law enforcement, coroners, pathologists, disaster victim identification teams and other forensic specialists during investigations.

Ethical and legal frameworks

Understand ethical considerations in forensic practice and how to navigate legal requirements in medico-legal settings.

Are you intrigued by forensic medicine? If you’re a registered nurse looking for a unique career change, consider a pathway into forensic nursing.

5. Graduate Diploma of Mental Health at Southern Cross University

Who is this course for?

• Registered nurses
• Allied health professionals
• Practitioners looking to specialise in mental health care

Entry requirements:

• A completed bachelor’s degree, or equivalent in a relevant healthcare field, such as psychology or social science

Delivery mode: Online, part-time (15–20 hours per week) over 16 months

Course dates: 16 months

Start dates for 2026: January, March, May, July, August and October

Is FEE-HELP available? Yes

Is CSP available? No

What skills will I learn in the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health?

This course equips you with the clinical capabilities and theoretical knowledge to deliver effective mental health care. You will develop skills in conducting mental health assessments, managing crises and supporting behaviour change. Additionally, you will learn to provide community-based care, promote physical wellbeing and apply evidence-based practices to improve mental health outcomes.

Units you will study include:

• Contemporary Mental Health
• Mental Health Across the Lifespan
• Mental Health in Community, Non-Government and Primary Health Settings
• Acute Mental Health
• Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
• Building a Professional Portfolio
• Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
• Physical Healthcare in Mental Health

Some key skills you may learn from these units include:

Conducting mental health assessments
Develop skills to assess and diagnose mental health conditions across diverse life stages and populations.

Managing mental health crises
Strengthen your ability to assess risk, apply crisis intervention strategies and manage psychiatric emergencies within ethical and legal frameworks.

Delivering community-based mental health services
Learn to provide mental health care and support in community, non-government and private health settings while navigating healthcare funding models and access pathways.

Promoting physical health in mental health care
Acquire the skills to address physical health needs, including nutrition, exercises and disease prevention to improve holistic wellbeing for people with mental health conditions.

Applying evidence-based mental health practices
Learn to critically appraise research and integrate evidence-based approaches to enhance mental health services.

Developing a professional portfolio
Gain the ability to create a portfolio that showcases your professional learning and achievements. You will learn to plan and implement strategies to collect, document and reflect on evidence of your skills, knowledge and growth in mental health care.

6. Graduate Diploma of Nursing Majoring in Advanced Practice at James Cook University

Who is this course for?

• Registered nurses aiming to deepen clinical expertise and move into senior nursing and nurse leadership roles

Entry requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing and current AHPRA registration
• At least one year of full-time clinical nursing or midwifery experience, or part-time equivalent

Delivery mode: Online, part-time (15–20 hours per week)

Course duration: 16 months

Start dates for 2026: January, March, May, July, September and October

Is FEE-HELP available? Yes

Is CSP available? No

What skills will I learn in the Graduate Diploma of Nursing Majoring in Advanced Practice?

In this course, you will learn the advanced clinical and diagnostic skills required to provide high-quality, evidence-based nursing care. You will develop expertise in conducting comprehensive health assessments, managing safe medication practices and applying diagnostic reasoning. Additionally, you will gain skills in clinical governance, digital health and communication to enhance patient care and improve patient outcomes.

Units you will study include:

• Synthesising Evidence for Healthcare
• Effective Clinical Governance
• Professional Communication in Healthcare
• Informatics for Health Professionals
• Advanced Health Assessment
• Quality Use of Medicines in Practice
• Applied Health Assessment and Practice
• Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice

Some key skills you may learn from these units include:

Synthesising evidence for healthcare
Develop skills to critically evaluate and synthesise research findings to inform clinical decision-making and advance healthcare practice.

Implementing clinical governance
Gain expertise in applying clinical governance principles to improve healthcare safety and quality through the use of system-based analysis and quality improvement tools.

Applying advanced communication in healthcare
Build proficiency in professional communication strategies including managing difficult conversations and learning how to use digital platforms effectively.

Utilising digital health and informatics
Learn to apply digital health tools, analyse implementation challenges and promote person-centred care through digital leadership and professionalism.

Performing advanced health assessments
Gain the ability to conduct comprehensive physical examinations, take health histories and deliver person-centred care based on advanced clinical reasoning.

Applying diagnostic reasoning
Develop expertise to interpret clinical data, prioritise patient care and make evidence-based diagnostic decisions for acute and chronic health conditions.

7. Graduate Diploma in Nutritional Science at the University of Canberra

Who is this course for?

• Healthcare professionals with a science or nutrition background interested in furthering their knowledge in human nutrition science
• Suitable for those wanting to gain introductory skills before progressing into a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics with an aim of entering this field

Entry requirements:

• A completed bachelor’s degree in science or a related discipline (e.g. health sciences, applied science)
• Two degree-level units in chemistry
• Two degree-level units in human biology and human physiology

Delivery mode: Face-to-face

Course duration: 12 months

Start dates for 2026: February, June and August

Is FEE-HELP available? Yes

Is CSP available? Yes

What skills will I learn in the Graduate Diploma in Nutritional Science?

This postgraduate diploma gives you advanced, evidence-based knowledge in human nutrition to help you understand complex nutrition issues and the link between diet, health and disease across the lifespan.

Units you will study include:

• Food Science
• Nutrition Across the Lifecycle
• Nutrition and Disease
• Nutritional Science

Students must also pass several restricted choice units, which include topics relevant to biochemistry, metabolism, human anatomy and physiology, and research planning.

Some key skills you may learn from these units include:

Scientific understanding of nutrition

Learn how food and nutrients affect human physiology, metabolism, health and disease risk across different life stages.

Critical thinking and problem-solving

Apply evidence-based frameworks to evaluate nutritional information and address complex health problems.

Communication of nutrition concepts

Develop the ability to explain complex nutrition information to professional and non-professional audiences for roles in community, clinical, industry, government or other environments.

8. Master of Infection Prevention and Control at Griffith University

Who is this course for?

• Healthcare professionals, including those from a medical, nursing, public or allied health background who want to specialise in infection prevention and control and gain advanced expertise in managing infectious disease challenges in healthcare and public health contexts

Entry requirements:

• A recognised bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant discipline (e.g. health, medical, nursing, science)
• One year of full-time, or equivalent, of relevant work experience demonstrating how infection prevention and control was a major part of your role

Delivery mode: Online

Course duration: 12 to 18 months (longer for dissertation pathway)

Start dates for 2026: February

Is FEE-HELP available? Yes

Is CSP available? Yes

What skills will I learn in the Master of Infection Prevention and Control?

This master’s degree prepares you with advanced knowledge and practical skills to lead infection prevention and control practices, policy design and evaluation across healthcare, public health and other settings.

You’ll complete core units and choose one elective unit to be eligible for the master’s degree award. An additional set of dissertation subjects must be completed if pursuing the PhD or MPhil pathway.

Core units you will study include:

• Foundations of Research Inquiry
• Quality and Safety in Healthcare
• Global Issues in Infection Prevention and Control
• Transforming and Leading Healthcare
• Emerging Issues in Disaster and Pandemic Planning, Response and Management
• Clinical Infectious Diseases
• Infection Control for Community and Public Health

Elective units (choose one) include:

• Quantitative Research
• Qualitative Research
• Clinical Trials - Principles and Practice
• Independent Practice Project

Some key skills you may learn from these units include:

Advanced infection control practice

Develop the ability to design, implement and evaluate infection prevention programs and minimise healthcare-associated communicable disease risk in clinical and public health environments.

Research literacy and evidence interpretation

Learn research methodology and gain data analysis skills in order to drive best-practice decision-making and inform policy in healthcare settings.

Enhance healthcare quality and safety

Spearhead initiatives that actively improve clinical quality, safety and organisational resilience across complex health and community environments.

Gain insights on global and community health

Understand global epidemiological trends and community-level infection control strategies.

9. Master of Health Services Management Majoring in Quality and Safety at the University of Technology Sydney

Who is this course for?

• Professionals in management, allied health, nursing and social care who want to initiate change and improve the quality, safety and equity of healthcare systems
• Professionals looking to develop leadership skills and expertise in navigating the complexities of the Australian healthcare system

Entry requirements:

To be eligible for entry into this course, you must have one of the following:

• Completion of an Australian bachelor's degree or higher qualification in education or health fields
• At least one year full-time (1,800+ hours) relevant work experience in health or social care sectors (excluding internships) and demonstrated prior learning in tertiary study. Work experience and education history must be demonstrated via a CV and Statement of Service from the employer verifying the requisite 1,800+ hours and a certificate of previous academic or professional qualifications

Delivery mode: Online, part-time (15–20 hours per week)

Course duration: 24 months

Start dates for 2026: January, March, May, July, August and October

Is FEE-HELP available? Yes

Is CSP available? No

What skills will I learn in the Master of Health Services Management Majoring in Quality and Safety?

In this master’s course, you will develop advanced leadership, organisational and strategic skills to drive transformative change and improve healthcare service delivery.

During the course, you will complete six core units, gaining a solid foundation in areas such as data analysis, organisational management and value-based care.

These core units are:

• Foundations of Healthcare Systems
• Leading Health and Social Care
• Using Healthcare Data for Decision Making
• Improving Safety and Quality in Healthcare
• Organisational Management in Healthcare
• Managing for Value-Based Care

In addition to these units, you will also choose two units from an approved list of specialisation options and complete four specialised units in quality and safety to further develop your expertise.

These specialised units are:

• Systems and Service Innovation
• Implementing and Evaluating Change
• Quality and Safety Improvement Methods
• Fundamentals of Epidemiology
• Plus two electives

Some key skills you may learn from these specialised units include:

Driving systems and service innovation
Develop skills to assess, design and support innovations in health and social care using human-centred design and system approaches that foster creativity, critical thinking and collaboration.

Leading and evaluating change initiatives
Gain expertise in implementing and evaluating workplace change through change management theories, frameworks and evaluation methods tailored to health and social care settings.

Applying epidemiological analysis
Build skills to calculate, interpret and apply disease measures and population health data to inform evidence-based decisions in public health and healthcare services.

Enhancing quality and safety
Gain an applied understanding of improvement science to drive quality, safety and efficiency in health and social care. Learn to identify and address areas for improvement, implement evidence-based initiatives and evaluate their impact on organisational performance.

Planning and reporting quality improvement initiatives
Gain expertise in monitoring, evaluating and reporting on healthcare improvement methods, ensuring they lead to long-term enhancements in service efficiency and patient care.

10. Master of Nursing (Chronic Disease and Ageing) at Victoria University

Who is this course for?

• Registered nurses interested in gaining advanced knowledge and clinical skills to support people with complex comorbidities and a view to move into senior roles in aged care or chronic disease management

Entry requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing and current AHPRA registration, or equivalent
• Current AHPRA registration

Delivery mode: Online, part-time (15–20 hours per week) over 24 months.

Course duration: 24 months

Is FEE-HELP available? Yes

Is CSP available? No

What skills will I learn in the Master of Nursing (Chronic Disease and Ageing)?

In this master’s course, you will undertake eight core subjects that provide a strong foundation in leadership, care coordination, research and analytics.

These core subjects are:

• Promoting Cultural Competence and Community Health
• Care Coordination in Practice
• Leading Improvement and Innovation
• Evidence and Research for Practice
• Complex Care Coordination
• Nursing Informatics
• Professional Development in Practice
• Mental Health Nursing

In addition to these core subjects, you will also complete four specialised units in chronic disease and ageing to develop your expertise further. You will develop advanced clinical, analytical and research skills to provide holistic, evidence-based care for older adults with chronic conditions.

These specialised units are:

• Innovation in Aged Care Practice
• Ageing and Chronic Disease
• Health and Wellbeing for the Older Person
• Research Project: Chronic Disease and Ageing

Some key skills you may learn from these specialised units include:

Providing comprehensive care for older adults with chronic conditions
Develop the ability to plan, assess and implement client-centred care strategies for older individuals with complex comorbidities, ensuring holistic and individualised support.

Innovating in aged care practices
Gain skills in designing and applying care interventions that improve health outcomes for older patients, their families and carers.

Detecting and managing chronic diseases
Enhance your ability to identify, treat and evaluate care programs tailored to older individuals living with chronic health conditions.

Effective communication and advocacy
Learn how to build strong relationships with older individuals and their support networks to advocate for their needs and deliver evidence-based care.

Promoting health and wellbeing
Learn to implement integrated care and self-management interventions that empower older individuals to achieve better health outcomes and improved quality of life.

Conducting research in aged care
Develop advanced research skills by undertaking primary studies or systematic reviews, applying qualitative and quantitative methodologies and present findings for professional dissemination.

Benefits of upskilling with a specialisation

1. Better job prospects: Upskilling with a specialisation in healthcare can significantly enhance your employability, as industries seek qualified professionals to meet growing demands. You also may have greater access to more diversity in your career path, giving you a competitive advantage and more choice of preferred roles.
    
2. More refined skill set: Specialising allows you to develop advanced knowledge and expertise in a particular area of healthcare, enabling you to focus deeply on the specific skills and nuances of that field. This refinement could make you more adept at handling complex presentations and positions you as a trusted expert in your niche area.
    
3. Higher salary potential: Further education can help you pursue higher-paying roles that appropriately reflect your added value, expertise and advanced training. Specialising in a specific area demonstrates an understanding of health data analysis, complex conditions, treatments and patient care in both non-clinical and patient-facing roles, making you an indispensable asset to any healthcare or research team.
    
4. Career advancement: As your skills grow, so do opportunities to move into roles with greater responsibilities. Additional expertise can position you for more senior decision-making positions, such as leadership and management roles. You may also seek networking possibilities with professionals in your field, leading to collaborations and partnerships that can further advance your career.
    
5. Personal fulfilment: Specialising in a particular area of healthcare can help promote feelings of personal fulfilment. By focusing on an area that you are passionate about, you can make a significant impact in your niche health field. This sense of purpose and accomplishment can lead to improved workplace relations and better job satisfaction in your chosen career path.

Propel your healthcare career in 2026

Obtaining specialised skills allows health professionals to provide more precise, effective care tailored to individual patient needs, improving outcomes and advancing the overall quality of healthcare. Moreover, it opens opportunities for leadership roles, research contributions and the ability to mentor others in your area of expertise, further solidifying your value within the field.

Specialised healthcare courses open doors to career advancements, leadership roles and greater job satisfaction. Explore the various health topics listed above and discover how to excel in your future healthcare career.

GlobalHealth Education’s university partners offer healthcare courses in a range of fields, including social work, public health, counselling, nursing, psychology, leadership, mental health and more.