Australian Catholic University

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Gerontological Nursing) Online

  • Delivery: Online
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Certificate

Advance your ability to manage complex age-related health needs and lead evidence-informed, culturally responsive care for older adults across acute, community and residential settings.

Course overview

As populations age, nurses require advanced capabilities to support older adults experiencing chronic illness, frailty, comorbidities and complex transitions in care. Australian Catholic University’s Graduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Nursing (Gerontological Nursing) prepares registered nurses to deliver safe, holistic and people-centred care across acute, community and residential environments.

You will integrate advanced bioscience and gerontology principles with evidence-informed practice to assess changing health needs and make complex clinical decisions. The specialisation examines the physical, psychosocial and cultural impacts of ageing, together with ethical practice, shared decision-making and interdisciplinary collaboration. You will also strengthen your ability to evaluate contemporary gerontological nursing practices, advocate for older adults and contribute to professional leadership.

Delivered asynchronously through ACU Online, the course comprises four units and can be completed in one year of part-time study. You will complete two advanced clinical nursing units and two Gerontological Nursing specialisation units. The qualification can also provide a pathway into ACU’s Graduate Diploma of Advanced Clinical Nursing or Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing.

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

Delivery
Online
Course Type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
More Information
Not available full-time
12 months (Part time)
Intake
1st February, 2027
19th July, 2027
11th October, 2027
Units
More Information
You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
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Fees
More Information
HECS-HELP loans are available to eligible CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
HECS, CSP

What you will study

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Nursing (Gerontological Nursing), you must successfully complete 40 credit points comprising four units. Each unit is worth 10 credit points.

Core units

  • Concepts in Advanced Clinical Nursing
  • Contemporary Nursing Practice
  • Gerontological Nursing: Advanced Clinical Practice
  • Gerontological Nursing: Advanced Professional Practice

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

To be eligible for this course, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Hold a Bachelor of Nursing or an equivalent qualification.
  • Hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
  • Meet the requirements of ACU’s Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

English language requirements

Applicants may be required to demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with ACU’s admission requirements. Contact the university for further information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Potential career outcomes include:

  • Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontological Care
  • Advanced Practice Nurse in Aged Care or Community Settings
  • Clinical Educator or Mentor in Gerontological Nursing
  • Leadership Roles in Aged Care Facilities
  • Leadership Roles in Community Health
  • Leadership Roles in Gerontology-Focused Clinical Units

Fees and CSP

Commonwealth Supported Place

Indicative unit fee in 2027: $613 (10-credit-point unit)
Indicative annual fee in 2027: $2,452
Indicative full-course fee: $2,452

The average full-course fee shown is calculated based on the 40 credit point (4 units) course structure completed over 1 year.

Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

  • The number of units studied.
  • Choice of units.
  • 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 the course you're enrolled in.
  • Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
  • Reviewed and adjusted each year.

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

HECS-HELP loans are available to eligible CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.