Adelaide University

Graduate Diploma in Nursing specialising in Critical Care

  • Delivery: Face to Face
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Diploma

Gain advanced assessment and monitoring skills for critically ill patients.

Course overview

The Graduate Diploma in Nursing specialising in Critical Care at Adelaide University builds on the skills of experienced registered nurses, offering an in-depth exploration of critical care principles and practices. This program provides the advanced knowledge required to manage complex and unstable patient conditions in intensive care, emergency and high-dependency units.

Students will study advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, haemodynamic monitoring, trauma and end-of-life care, alongside professional, ethical and socio-legal aspects of high-acuity nursing. Simulation-based learning and case-based discussions ensure theory is directly applied to clinical practice. This graduate diploma prepares graduates for expanded responsibilities, including mentoring junior staff, leading rapid-response situations and contributing to clinical governance.

Graduates gain the skills required to optimise patient care, improve safety and respond effectively to urgent clinical scenarios. With increasing demand for highly skilled critical care nurses, this qualification positions graduates for leadership and specialist practice within acute care teams across Australia.

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
Face to Face
More Information
This degree can be studied mostly online, but in-person participation is mandatory for certain core courses, workshops and clinical placements.
Course Type
Graduate Diploma
Duration
More Information
No full-time option
12 months (Part time)
Campus
Adelaide City Campus
Intake
New start dates announced soon
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.
8
Fees
More Information
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
HECS, CSP

What you will study

Complete 48 units for all of the following courses:

  • Essentials in Critical Care Nursing
  • Research for Advancing Nursing, Midwifery and Health Care
  • Critical Care Nursing
  • Advanced Critical Care Practice

Entry requirements

To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.

  • A completed bachelor's degree (AQF level 7) or higher from a recognised higher education institution.
  • Hold or be eligible to hold registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

  • You will gain expertise in advanced monitoring, rapid clinical assessment and complex intervention strategies.
  • You will focus on ethical considerations, patient advocacy and leadership in high-pressure clinical settings.
  • You will refine decision-making, prioritisation and communication with multidisciplinary teams.

Career outcomes

Graduates of this program at the University of Adelaide are equipped for senior roles in critical care. You could lead patient care in intensive care or coronary care units. Or perhaps you’ll get a role managing emergency response teams in hospital settings, overseeing rapid assessment and intervention for critically ill patients. You might also contribute to policy development, clinical governance, or mentoring early-career nurses in complex care units.

Other career opportunities include:

  • Senior critical care nurse
  • Intensive care specialist

Fees and CSP

Estimated annual fee in 2026: From $4,738 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 48 units (normally eight courses) per year.

Student annual fees may vary in accordance with:

  • The number of courses studied per term.
  • The choice of major or specialisation.
  • Choice of courses.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

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 programs.

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.

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