Course information for - 2027 entry

Duration
1 year part-time
ATAR
N/A
Fees (first year)*

$2452 CSP

Start dates
ACU Term 1, ACU Term 3, ACU Term 4

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Nursing will prepare you, as a registered nurse, to be an expert clinician in contemporary healthcare environments. This program will equip you with advanced theoretical and technical knowledge to support evidence-informed clinical decision-making and deliver high-quality, people-centred care across diverse settings. You will critically analyse and synthesise complex clinical information to respond effectively to the evolving demands of healthcare practice. Through the integration of specialist knowledge, reflective practice, digital innovation and critical reasoning, you will demonstrate the ability to promote culturally responsive care and improve health outcomes within interdisciplinary teams. 

As part of this course, you have opportunity to select to study one of nine specialisations: Cardiac Care, Gerontological Nursing, Intensive Care, Medical, Neuroscience, Perioperative, Renal, Surgical or Advanced Practice. You will develop your holistic care skills in specialty practice, including people and family-centred health promotion. Specific knowledge in the areas of bioscience, evidence-based practice, the role of the specialty nurse relevant to your chosen specialty, and contemporary healthcare concepts will be explored and applied to your advanced clinical practice.

This course is ideal for nurses looking to become advanced practice nurses. This qualification also provides a strong foundation for those pursuing further study, and offers the option to take your innovation and leadership skills to the next level by continuing your study and enrolling a Graduate Diploma of Advanced Clinical Nursing or a Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing. ACU.

Delivered as an asynchronous online course (from a minimum of 1 year part-time), with flexible study options and a range of commencement dates, this course allows you to fit study around your professional and personal commitments and accommodates busy healthcare professionals' schedules.

For more information visit ACU Postgraduate Programs for Nurses, or refer to the specialisation links below course structure:


Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the courses costs section below, under Fees. 

Careers

Graduates may seek employment in clinical nursing in government and private health care facilities depending on your choice of specialisation.

Opportunities include:

  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Community nursing opportunities/primary health care setting opportunities
  • Pathways to further study and research (including the Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing and other postgraduate programs)

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Part-time (1 year)

  • Specified UnitsNRSG546Concepts in Advanced Clinical Nursing10 cp
  • SpecialisationSpecialisation Unit (Advanced Clinical Practice)

    (Pre: NRSG546)

    10.0 cp
  • SpecialisationSpecialisation Unit (Advanced Professional Practice)

    (Pre: NRSG546)

    10.0 cp
  • Specified UnitsNRSG547Contemporary Nursing Practice10 cp

Students must enrol in two units from the one specialisation to receive a specialisation award.

Commencing ACU Term 3 - Part-time (1 year and 1 term)

  • Students who commence in ACU Term 3 will have a one term break (ACU Term 1) and recommence in ACU Term 2.
  • Students must enrol in two units from the one specialisation to receive a specialisation award.

Commencing ACU Term 4 - Part-time (1 year)

Students must enrol in two units from the one specialisation to receive a specialisation award.

Graduate statement

Insight

As a graduate of the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing, you strengthen your core clinical knowledge and skills to deliver safe, evidence‑based, and people‑centred care. You are well prepared to enhance your everyday clinical practice and adapt confidently across diverse healthcare settings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Graduate Certificate - AQF Level 8

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Nursing, an applicant must:

a) have completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent;

AND

b) hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra);

For the Intensive Care and Perioperative specialisations, an applicant must also provide evidence of experience in the chosen specialisation.

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

Applicants with higher education study

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.

You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.

Search our credit database

Learn more about recognition of prior learning

Applicants with work and life experience

You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements for your chosen course.

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Further study

The Faculty of Health Sciences also offers the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Clinical Nursing and the Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$2452 CSP

*This is an indicative first-year fee based on the tuition fee rates for a full-time student, using unit enrolment data from domestic students who studied the course in the previous year.

A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:

  • Number of units studied per year
  • Choice of major or specialisation
  • Elective units

The University reviews fees annually.

You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.

A 10% rebate on fees will be offered to domestic ACU graduates (from any faculty) enrolling in full fee-paying postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Conditions apply.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, a scholarship and income support.

Scholarships

You could be eligible for the Scholarship for ACU Online, ACU's Online Campus created to help ACU online students with the costs associated with studying. We also have university wide scholarships you may be eligible for. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.

Check your eligibility

Apply for this course

ACU Online Applicants

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. If you wish to defer, please speak to your course consultant.

Staff Profile

Staff profile Dr Nancy Ming Zhang

Dr Nancy Ming Zhang

Lecturer, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine

Dr Nancy Ming Zhang is an experienced nursing academic with years of experiences in intensive care nursing across New Zealand and Australia. With a strong commitment to student-centred collaborative approach, she has taught both undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students, fostering a learning environment that encourages critical thinking and practical application of knowledge.

Nancy holds a Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing, a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, a Master of Clinical Education and a PhD, with a focus on her research interests in knowledge translation, simulation education, cardiovascular disease, complementary medicine, and patient-centred value-based healthcare. Her work aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice by translating evidence and innovation into teaching methods and clinical practice, enhancing the learning experience for students and ultimately improving patient outcomes.

With a passion for fostering a student-centred approach and a dedication to advancing nursing education, Nancy continues to inspire the next generation of nurses through her extensive knowledge, experience and active collaboration with industry partners, ensuring education remains relevant to clinical practice.

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