- 2 years part-time
- Online
- Feb, May, Sep
- View dates
- AUD 4,624
- (Indicative annual fee)
Overview
- Advance your expertise in the nursing field with UniSQ’s Graduate Diploma of Nursing. Select from four specialisations including clinical education, aged care, leadership and management, mental health, and rural and remote health.
- Work alongside diverse healthcare professionals to ensure optimal outcomes for both individuals and communities.
- Enhance your leadership capabilities and develop the skills to manage teams and projects effectively, while understanding the strategic decision-making needed in a healthcare environment.
- Fit study into your life while progressing your career with part-time and online study.
Specialisations in the Graduate Diploma of Nursing
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Clinical Education
Become a specialist clinical nurse educator, developing innovative teaching methods for nursing education to improve health outcomes.
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Gerontology
Specialise in aged-care nursing and be ready to support the specific needs of the elderly with professional, personalised care.
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Leadership and Management in Health
Excel as an effective leader in clinical healthcare, build productive and cohesive teams, and develop skills to address contemporary workplace challenges.
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Rural and Remote
Become a remote nurse skilled in adapting to the social, cultural and geographic challenges of rural, remote and isolated health care settings.
Diverse and challenging
Nursing is such a diverse and challenging career that can take you to so many different places and you can make such a difference in people’s lives.
Samuel - Nursing
Career outcomes
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Nursing are equipped to take on advanced and specialised roles across diverse healthcare settings, such as hospitals and aged care facilities, community health centres and primary care clinics, educational institutions (TAFE, universities), government and non-government health agencies, rural and remote health services, telehealth and emergency response units.
As a specialised health professional, you’ll contribute to the delivery of high-quality care, education, and leadership in both urban and remote environments.
What you'll study
To graduate from the Graduate Diploma of Nursing, you must successfully complete 8 units of study.
Degree structure
A postgraduate university degree typically comprises of advanced coursework and research opportunities, allowing you to deepen your expertise in a specific field while building upon foundational knowledge.
Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for detailed recommended enrolment patterns and course availability.
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previous studies or relevant work experience. This could reduce the number of courses you need to study to complete your degree.
Other study options
If you’re interested in further study, after completion of this degree you can go on to study the Master of Nursing (if you meet all the entry requirements).
Entry requirements
There are many ways to be considered for entry into a UniSQ degree based on your education, work experience and relevant personal attributes. You need to satisfy the following requirements to be considered for entry into this postgraduate degree.
- Completion of a 3-year bachelor degree, or equivalent, in the area of nursing from a recognised university.
- Hold a current professional registration as a Division 1 nurse, or equivalent, with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or relevant regulatory body in applicant's home country.
You'll need to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires:
- IELTS (Academic) - Minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Alternative English language proficiency tests may also be accepted.
Entry pathways
There is more than one way to get into university, and if you're not sure about your entry options get in touch to discuss.
Fees and scholarships
- This estimated 2025 annual fee is based on the current average rate for your first year of study (8 units per year) and does not include cost of materials such as textbooks, additional costs or the Student Services and Amenities fee.
- This is an indicative guide only and your fees will vary depending on the courses you select, with the actual rates calculated at enrolment.
- We review our fees annually and they may increase each year.
- Further details are available on the Fees website.
Additional costs
You may be required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee as part of your degree cost.
Payment options
You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP is a government loan scheme that allows you to defer payment until your income reaches a certain threshold. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP.
You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Services Australia.
UniSQ Scholarships
We offer scholarships for academic excellence, community leadership, and financial need - you can apply for more than one!
Find out moreHow to apply
Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.
ApplyYou can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.
| Study period | Application closing date | Orientation | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trimester 1, 2025 | Monday 10 February | Monday 3 February | Monday 10 February |
| Trimester 2, 2025 | Monday 26 May | Monday 19 May | Monday 26 May |
| Trimester 3, 2025 | Monday 8 September | Monday 1 September | Monday 8 September |
| Trimester 1, 2026 | Monday 16 February | Monday 9 February | Monday 16 February |
More information on application key dates is available.
Preparing to apply
You've made the decision to study at UniSQ - congratulations! Take the next steps:
The entry requirements for your degree will provide you with details regarding the documentation to provide. These may include:
- interviews and selection criteria
- CV/resume or LinkedIn profile
- referee reports.
After you’ve submitted your application, you will be emailed a reference number. You will be notified via email the outcome of your application within 10 business days.
Follow the link in your email from UniSQ or log in to the application portal to accept your offer.
Find out more
Connect with us - start a conversation, whenever suits you.
Available 5 days a week
Chat now
Freecall
1800 269 500
Email us at study@unisq.edu.au
Frequently asked questions
The Graduate Diploma in Nursing specialisation that’s right for you will vary depending on your Health interests and goals. At UniSQ we have six different specialisations you can choose from:
Clinical Education - Learn the skills required to conduct face- to-face and online pedagogy specific to a clinical setting and develop clinical nurse educator resources to progress your career.
Gerontology - Understand the foundations of healthy ageing and further develop your skills in caring for elderly patients with complex needs.
Leadership & Management in Health - Gain the theoretical knowledge of leadership and management in nursing and apply theses learnings in your current occupation.
Rural & Remote - Develop your clinical decision-making skills for a rural and remote setting and gain the qualifications required to effectively work as a remote nurse.
If you are unsure which nursing major is right for you, get in touch with one of our iconnect support staff to talk through your options.
There are many great reasons to study a Graduate Diploma in Nursing and take the next step in your nursing career:
- According to the Good University Guide, 2024 we are rated 5/5 stars in postgraduate overall experience and graduate salary.
- Benefit from industry –relevant, practical and theoretical training.
- Continue to enhance your new-found knowledge and use the Graduate Diploma in Nursing as a stepping-stone to study the Master of Nursing.
At UniSQ, to gain entry into our postgraduate Graduate Diploma in Nursing you need to:
- Hold a 3-year bachelor degree in the relevant area of nursing from an Australian university, or equivalent.
- Hold a current Professional Registration as a Division 1 nurse, or equivalent.
For more information you can view the entry requirements section of the Grad Dip in Nursing specialisation you’re interested in studying.
Did you know, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning from your previous studies or work experience? This will reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your degree.
Do you still have questions? Get in touch with one of our iconnect support staff to talk through your options.
The main difference between a graduate certificate and graduate diploma is the time it takes to complete each. Compared to the four-five months it takes to finish a graduate certificate, it takes up to 12 months of full-time study to complete the eight units required in a Graduate Diploma in Nursing. In both the certificate and diploma, you can opt to study part-time which does increase the time in which it takes to complete the degree.
A Graduate Diploma of Nursing usually incorporates the same course options as a graduate certificate in the same discipline area but builds on your knowledge from the certificate and advances your skills further. It also has similar coursework subjects as a master's degree in the same study field, but the flexibility of not having to commit to a full master's degree.
At UniSQ you can study a 2-year Graduate Diploma in Nursing online or externally.
Opportunities for Graduate Diploma in Nursing graduates exist in a variety of nursing and allied health settings including:
- clinical education
- private health facilities
- hospitals
- aged-care
- nursing homes
- residential facilities
- community work.
Yes! At UniSQ you will study our Graduate Diploma in Nursing externally or online, allowing you to choose where you study, when you study and even how you study.
As a postgraduate Diploma in Nursing online student, you’ll receive the same level of support as an on-campus student and we’ll be there with you, every step of the way.
Discover more about online study at UniSQ.
