CQUniversity
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Gerontology) Online
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Advance your expertise in gerontological nursing through flexible online postgraduate study, developing evidence-based knowledge to support the complex health, wellbeing and quality of life of older people.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Gerontology) from CQUniversity is a postgraduate qualification designed for Registered Nurses seeking to strengthen their expertise in caring for older people across diverse healthcare settings. Delivered online over one year full-time or part-time, the course develops contemporary evidence-based nursing knowledge that can be applied directly within your clinical workplace.
Alongside core studies in recognising and responding to patient deterioration and clinical governance, the Gerontology major explores contemporary approaches to caring for older people across acute, community and residential aged care settings. You will develop advanced knowledge in supporting older people experiencing cognitive and sensory changes while strengthening clinical decision-making, person-centred care, ethical practice and reflective nursing practice to enhance outcomes for older adults and their families.
On successful completion, you will graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Gerontology). The qualification supports continued professional development in gerontological nursing and provides a pathway to the Master of 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
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Gerontology), you must successfully complete units totalling 24 credit points as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.
Core units
- Patient Deterioration in the Clinical Setting
- Nursing and Clinical Governance
Gerontology major
- Supporting Older People with Cognitive and Sensory Changes
- Contemporary Approaches to Gerontological Care
Entry requirements
Applicants for this course must meet all of the following:
- Hold current unconditional Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1).
- Provide a letter of employment demonstrating you are employed as a Graduate Registered Nurse in Australia with an approved clinical partner, detailing a minimum of 16 hours per week in a clinical setting.
- OR providing a statement of service demonstrating current employment in Australia as a Registered Nurse, detailing a minimum of 16 hours per week in a clinical setting.
Letters of employment must be presented on company letterhead, signed and dated by a delegated authority. Please ensure that the letter contains your full name, position title, duties performed, hours per week and length of service.
English language requirements
The English language proficiency requirements for initial registration are specified by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
As an applicant for the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing, you are required to demonstrate your English language competency by holding current and unconditional registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with the Australian Health Practitioners Agency (Ahpra).
Each application will be assessed individually.
Contact the university or visit their website for more 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
This course provides registered nurses with a nursing-specific post-graduate qualification and may lead to opportunities, including:
- Enhanced competency and confidence as a registered nurse.
- Increased financial remuneration from some employers.
- A solid foundation to work towards nursing leadership roles in clinical specialties, management, education or research.
- A provided pathway to the Master of Clinical Nursing.
Fees and CSP
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $3,950 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $15,078 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 24 credit points (normally four units) per year.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- 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 unit you're enrolled in.
- Depending 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.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.