Western Sydney University

Graduate Diploma in Child and Family Health (Karitane) Online

  • Delivery: Online
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 24 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Diploma

Extend your nursing or midwifery practice across child development, infant and child nutrition, family wellbeing and perinatal mental health, preparing to support children and families across varied care settings.

Course overview

The Graduate Diploma in Child and Family Health (Karitane) is designed for registered nurses and midwives seeking broader theoretical knowledge and advanced practice capabilities in child and family health. It strengthens the knowledge and analytical skills needed to work autonomously and contribute to positive health outcomes for children and families.

Your studies explore professional frameworks for child and family health practice, child growth and development, infant and child nutrition and feeding, perinatal, infant and child mental health and approaches to supporting healthy families and communities. You will also examine primary health care, contemporary issues affecting children and adolescents and the use of evidence to inform health care practice.

Delivered online over two years of part-time study, the course can support practice across home visiting and centre-based services, family care centres, sustained home visiting programs, specialist outreach services and residential family care settings. Successful completion may also provide a pathway into the Master of Child and Family Health (Karitane).

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 Diploma
Duration
24 months (Part time)
Intake
1st March, 2027
19th July, 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.
8
Fees
More Information
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
HECS, CSP

What you will study

Qualification for this award requires completing 80 credit points for the subjects listed below.

Core subjects

  • Child and Family Health: Professional Practice and Frameworks
  • Healthy Families and Communities
  • Child and Family Health Practice: Supporting Growth and Development
  • Clinical Practice: Infant and Child Nutrition and Feeding
  • Perinatal, Infant and Child Mental Health
  • Evidence-Based Health Care
  • Contemporary Issues in Child and Adolescent Health
  • Primary Health Care and Its Applications

Entry requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be currently registered as a nurse or midwife through AHPRA and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, or be eligible for registration
  • Have completed an undergraduate degree in nursing or midwifery

Non-practising, limited and student registration are not accepted.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have previously studied or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. If your application is successful, you can reduce the number of courses you need to study, saving you time and money. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Graduates of this program can look forward to enhanced professional status and career opportunities in their chosen fields, including:

  • Primary settings, including home visiting and centre-based services.
  • Secondary level service delivery, including family care centres, sustained home visiting programs and outreach specialist services.
  • Tertiary level service delivery, including residential family care facilities.

Fees and CSP

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

The fee estimates provided are indicative only and subject to change. These estimates are based on the current fee structures for a normal full-time study load. However, the final fees may vary depending on several factors, including the specific subjects chosen, the duration and timing of study and annual fee adjustments (subject to Commonwealth student contribution band rates). Please note that these estimates do not include the Student Services and Amenities Fee.

Commonwealth Supported Places

Studying in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) means that the Australian Government pays part of the fees towards your program, therefore reducing your tuition fees. The remaining amount that you pay is referred to as your Student Contribution.

Your student contribution amount is:

  • Calculated per subject 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.