Griffith University

Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing Online

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

Enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills to manage complex therapeutic interventions by applying evidence-based research to improve patient care.

Course overview

Prepare to make a difference when it matters most with the Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing. Build your confidence, refine your clinical expertise and lead in fast-moving, high-stakes situations where every decision counts, providing exceptional care to critically ill patients.

The Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing offers an opportunity to deepen critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential to managing complex therapeutic interventions and to utilise evidence-based research to enhance patient care. Students will develop expertise in leadership and change management to drive transformation and improve outcomes within healthcare organisations. The program emphasises mastering evidence-based health assessments and advanced clinical problem-solving techniques, with a patient- and family-centred approach to managing complex cases. Learning takes place in expert-led, small-group settings, facilitating the application of knowledge and skills to real clinical scenarios.

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
This program is only available part-time.
12 months (Part time)
Price Per Unit
From $2,937.5
More Information
The estimated per-unit fee is calculated using the annual average first-year fee. It is based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (four units) per semester or 80 credit points (eight units) per year.

From $1,000 (CSP)
More Information
You may be eligible for CSP where the government pays part of your fees. The estimated per unit fees are calculated using the annual CSP rate. It is based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (four units) per year.
Intake
2nd November, 2026
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 domestic students.
FEE-HELP, HECS, CSP

What you will study

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing, a student must earn 40 credit points. Each course is valued at 10 credit points.

Core courses

  • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Managing Complex Clients
  • Transforming and Leading Healthcare
  • Foundations of Critical Care Nursing Practice

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing, you must have:

  • A recognised Bachelor of Nursing degree (or higher).
  • Current or temporary, unrestricted registration as a registered nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
  • Be working with critical care presentations for at least two days per week.

Degrees from overseas institutions must be assessed as equivalent to a recognised Australian accredited qualification.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery has instituted a Recognition of Prior Experience (RPE) procedure for registered nurses without an undergraduate qualification. Applicants will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate eligibility requirements. The School of Nursing and Midwifery will determine eligibility for admission into the requested program based on the application, curriculum vitae and referee reports.

A higher qualification refers to a qualification at a higher level than a Bachelor's degree, which includes any of the following: a Bachelor's Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master's Degree, MPhil or PhD.

English language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

  • A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0.
  • A minimum score of 575 on the TOEFL.
  • An internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19).
  • No score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only).
  • A minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English).
  • An overall score of 58 on the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

All applicants who hold current unrestricted registration as a Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) are deemed to have met the English language requirements for admission to the program due to the requirements outlined in the Registration Standard (English Language Skills) set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

English test results must be no more than two years old.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Griffith University grants credit and recognition of prior learning, which may relate to prior formal or informal and non-formal education. The university's Credit Precedent Database allows you to find out what credit decisions have been made. These precedents will give you an idea of what you can expect. Please reach out to the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

You may take on employment and nursing leadership roles in the clinical specialist area of critical care nursing. You may also expect increased professional recognition and mobility, an enhanced ability to remain in employment and an ability to provide leadership in the health field.

Fees and CSP

Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $4,000 (Commonwealth Supported Place).

Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $11,750 (domestic full-fee paying place).

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 40 credit points (normally four units) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • The number of units studied.
  • Choice of courses.
  • 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 courses 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.