Australian Catholic University
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Perioperative Nursing) Online
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Advance your clinical reasoning and leadership capabilities to support patients with complex surgical and anaesthetic needs across preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative phases of care.
Course overview
Perioperative nursing supports patients throughout the surgical journey, from preoperative preparation and intraoperative care to postoperative recovery. Australian Catholic University’s Graduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Nursing (Perioperative Nursing) prepares registered nurses to coordinate safe, precise and people-centred care for patients with complex surgical and anaesthetic needs.
You will integrate advanced bioscience and perioperative principles with evidence-informed practice to assess health needs and make complex clinical decisions. The specialisation explores advanced reasoning across each phase of perioperative care, including the physical, psychosocial and cultural impacts of surgery. You will also develop capabilities in ethical practice, shared decision-making, culturally responsive care, multidisciplinary collaboration and leadership within operating theatre and recovery environments.
Delivered asynchronously through ACU Online, the course comprises four units and can be completed in one year of part-time study. Applicants must provide evidence of experience in perioperative nursing. The qualification may 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
19th July, 2027
11th October, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Nursing (Perioperative 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
- Perioperative Nursing: Advanced Clinical Practice
- Perioperative 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.
- Provide evidence of experience in Perioperative Nursing.
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
Learning outcomes
- Integrate advanced bioscience and perioperative principles with evidence-based practice to make complex clinical decisions.
- Apply advanced clinical reasoning across preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases.
- Assess and respond to the physical, psychosocial, and cultural impacts of surgery.
- Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary surgical teams and engage in shared decision-making.
- Evaluate contemporary perioperative practices and lead professional standards.
Career outcomes
Graduates may pursue opportunities in areas such as:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist in Perioperative Nursing.
- Advanced Practice Nurse in Surgical or Operating Theatre Settings.
- Clinical Educator or Mentor in Perioperative Nursing.
- Leadership roles in operating theatres, recovery units, or perioperative care environments.
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.