Western Sydney University
Master of Child and Family Health (Karitane) Online
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 3 years
- Course Type: Master's
Designed for registered nurses and midwives, this master’s degree advances child and family health practice through evidence-based assessment, leadership, virtual clinical placements and an in-depth capstone experience.
Course overview
Western Sydney University’s Master of Child and Family Health (Karitane) is designed for registered nurses and midwives seeking advanced expertise in practice with children and families. Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree in nursing or midwifery and have current practising registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, or be eligible for that registration.
The curriculum spans child development, infant nutrition and feeding, perinatal and child mental health, family and community health, primary health care, evidence-based practice and clinical leadership. Students strengthen capabilities in holistic assessment, strengths-based family partnerships, culturally responsive care, service improvement and leading change. Three specialist subjects incorporate virtual clinical placements.
Developed and delivered through a formal collaboration with Karitane, the course culminates in a 20-credit-point capstone experience. Students plan and complete an experience relevant to their professional interests, then reflect on their graduate capabilities and continuing development. Course learning outcomes align with selected National Standards of Practice for Maternal, Child and Family Health Nurses in 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
19th July, 2027
What you will study
Qualification for this award requires successfully completing 120 credit points, including the subjects listed below. Unless otherwise indicated, each subject is valued at 10 credit points.
Core subjects (110 credit points)
- Child and Family Health: Professional Practice and Frameworks
- Child and Family Health Practice: Supporting Growth and Development
- Clinical Practice: Infant and Child Nutrition and Feeding
- Perinatal, Infant and Child Mental Health
- Healthy Families and Communities
- Contemporary Issues in Child and Adolescent Health
- Evidence-Based Health Care
- Primary Health Care and Its Applications
- Leadership in Clinical Practice
- Capstone Experience in Health Care (20 credit points)
Elective (10 credit points)
Select one subject from the following:
- Health Promotion and the Nurse
- Building Organisational Capacity in Health Care
- Leadership for Quality and Safety in Health Care
- Clinical Teaching for Learning
Entry requirements
- Registered nurse or midwife (currently registered to practice with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Nursing and Midwifery) or eligibility for the same, or certificate of nursing registration, within the last five years, in their own country. Any other registration type (non-practising, limited, or student) is unacceptable for this course.
- Completion of an undergraduate degree in Nursing or Midwifery.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of prior learning is the process of assessing the knowledge and skills you have gained through previous study, work or other experience. When you apply, the university will determine whether your prior learning can be recognised towards your current course. 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 includes family care centres, sustained home visiting programs and outreach specialist services.
- Tertiary level service delivery, including residential family care facilities.
Fees and CSP
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $4,738 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 80 credit points (normally eight units) per year.
Student 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 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.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.