Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing : Entry requirements

Graduate Coursework

Course code: GC-PAEN

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Domestic students

International students

Duration

1 year part time

Mode (Location)

Mixed Attendance Mode (Parkville)

Intake

January, June
Key dates

Fees

AUD $14,000 (2026 indicative first year fee). Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are not available
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How to apply

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Entry requirements

Domestic student Change

You're considered a domestic student if you're an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or have a permanent humanitarian visa. This applies even if you're studying abroad or have dual Australian citizenship.

Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must:

Have completed a bachelor degree (AQF7) or equivalent in a cognate (relevant) discipline or have completed a Master of Nursing Science degree (AQF9).

Cognate (relevant) disciplines include: Nursing

And

Have one year of documented relevant experience as a Registered Nurse working in an acute or sub-acute healthcare service within the preceding five years from the time of application.

And

Have current unrestricted registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (courses with clinical components only).

And

Have clinical support from a partnering health service and be employed a minimum of three (3) days or 24 hours per week for the standard course duration in a clinical setting that will provide the relevant clinical experience to meet course learning outcomes.

Relevant experience is measured in full-time years but may be completed within a part-time equivalent timeframe.

Where degree levels are referenced, levels align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Applications are assessed against these standards.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

English language test score requirements
If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:
IELTS
6.5
with writing 6.0; speaking 6.0; reading 6.0; listening 6.0
TOEFL
81
with writing 19; speaking 19; reading 16; listening 16
PEARSON
64
with writing 60; speaking 60; reading 60; listening 60
CAMBRIDGE
169
with writing 170; speaking 179; reading 163; listening 163
LANGUAGECERT ACADEMIC
67
with writing 64; speaking 70; reading 60; listening 57
MET
58
with writing 57; speaking 48; reading 55; listening 56
*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE); LanguageCert Academic; Michigan English Test. If a test displays N/A, it is not accepted for this course.

About selection

As part of your application, you must also:

Provide a curriculum vitae (CV) detailing relevant education, work experience, skills and achievements

Missing information or documents may result in your application being deemed ineligible.

When assessing (and where relevant, ranking) applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

Prior academic performance
Relevance of previous study
Relevance of professional qualifications and registrations
Relevant prior (research and/or professional) experience

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission Policy.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Additional information

Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nursing must be employed by a Centre of Excellence (COE) or a partnering hospital in order to undertake this course.

If the applicant's employing hospital is a designated Partner Hospital, then the applicant is expected to be included in the Partner Hospitals’ approved students and nominated Nursing Practice Supervisor list. These approved students will be contacted with instructions to apply for the course.

If the applicant's employing hospital is not a designated Partner Hospital, please contact the Student Support team at continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au or +61 3 8344 0149 to discuss the process of setting up a partnership.

Advanced Standing

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).

For additional, in-depth details on entry requirements and admissions for this course, refer to the University Handbook.

Need more information on the University’s general entry requirements?

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