Curtin University

Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing Online

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

Build the specialist judgement to assess complex conditions, guide evidence-informed interventions and deliver holistic care across critical care settings.

Course overview

The Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing is designed for registered nurses seeking to develop advanced capabilities in complex clinical decision-making and specialty nursing practice. It combines the theoretical foundations of nursing science with clinical knowledge and workplace-based competency development.

You’ll examine homeostatic function, the pathophysiology, pathogenesis and aetiology of complex conditions and the interventions and management strategies used to restore homeostasis. You’ll also strengthen your capabilities in evidence-informed practice, clinical leadership, patient advocacy and holistic specialty care.

Delivered online and studied part-time, the course requires you to remain employed in an approved area of practice for at least 18–24 hours per week. Your clinical competence will be assessed in your workplace through an industry partnership model. You can study one or two units per semester and complete the course over one, 1.5 or two years.

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
12 months (Part time)
Price Per Unit
From $3,666.25
More Information
The estimated fee is determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.

From $600 (CSP)
More Information
You may be eligible for CSP where the government pays part of your fees. Fees are determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
Intake
February, 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
FEE-HELP loans and HECS loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.
FEE-HELP, HECS, CSP

What you will study

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing, you must successfully complete units totalling 100 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 25 credit points. 

Core units

  • Advanced Clinical Nursing Science 1
  • Advanced Clinical Practice 1
  • Advanced Clinical Nursing Science 2
  • Advanced Clinical Practice 2

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

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

  • Hold a bachelor's degree and registration as a comprehensive or general nurse in Division One with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
  • Have a minimum of 12 months experience in a specialist area of practice and must be concurrently employed in an approved area, working a minimum of 18-24 hours per week.

Applicants must provide a letter of support from their employer, proof of current professional registration and a CV or resume with their application.

English language requirements

Curtin requires applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency. You can meet this requirement by providing evidence of one of the following:

  • An IELTS Academic overall band score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 7.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
  • An alternative English language test accepted by Curtin, provided you achieve the required equivalent scores.
  • An eligible previous qualification or another form of English language evidence accepted by Curtin.

Contact the university or visit its 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. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation as specified by the university. This may include a professional portfolio outlining evidence of your relevant experience and accomplishments.

Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse critically, and evaluate advanced concepts of specialty nursing practice; integrate expert knowledge and integrated understanding to demonstrate competency at a level in accordance with specialty competency standards
  • Critically analyse, reflect on and synthesise the environmental, physical and psychosocial aspects of the individual for effective clinical decision making; recognise own abilities and level of professional competence
  • Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex evidence and scientific literature to inform decision making in specialty practice
  • Integrate advanced communication skills within a legal and ethical framework related to complex clinical issues in area of specialty; interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences
  • Effectively anticipate, plan for and use complex technology applications relevant to specialty practice
  • Integrate autonomous, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a lifelong learner in specialty practice; participate in research and critically appraise research findings and incorporate evidence based knowledge into clinical practice
  • Critically appraise, evaluate and incorporate national and global health issues and strategic health care directions into specialty nursing practice
  • Incorporate culturally aware and respectful specialty care to multicultural groups and indigenous communities
  • Incorporate advanced theoretical and specialist knowledge and judgment, including advanced leadership and autonomy into specialty practice; work professionally in specialty practice demonstrating expert judgement, leadership and independence as a nurse in area of specialty; act as an experienced positive role model to peers and other members of the healthcare team

Fees and CSP

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $2,400 (Commonwealth Supported Place).

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $14,665 (Full-fee paying place)

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 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.