Child and Family Health Nursing

Overview

The postgraduate program in child and family health nursing is for registered nurses who are interested in undertaking a beginner-level specialised practice in child, adolescent and family health nursing in the community.

It prepares you to work in community child and family health nursing services. This program offers a special focus on the early years but also covers middle childhood and adolescent health. The flexible curriculum accommodates the needs of graduate nurses to work within the primary health care framework for new public health systems.

The course can be taken fully online with placements undertaken in person at a health service near you, or as work integrated learning within your place of work.

Up to 80% off fees due to Government subsidies*.

*Government subsidies enable Flinders to offer Domestic applicants a reduction of up to 80% off full course fees through Commonwealth Supported Places. Offer subject to change.

Domestic

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Courses

Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing

Duration: 0.5 or 1 year

Delivery mode:
Online plus placement/intensive

Location:
Bedford Park

Availability:
Full-time Part-time

Start dates:
March
July

SATAC code:
2GC187 (Commonwealth supported)
2GC687 (Full fee paying)

Annual indicative fees (2025):
$2,331 (Commonwealth supported)
$12,852 (Full fee paying)

Further information on fees listed

Apply via SATAC

2GC187 (CSP)

2GC687 (FFP)

_{CSP (Commonwealth supported place)

FFP (Full-fee paying)}

Graduate Diploma in Nursing

Duration: 1 year

Delivery mode:
In person
Online

Location:
Bedford Park

Availability:
Full-time Part-time

Start dates:
March
July

SATAC code:
2GD133 (Commonwealth supported)
2GD633 (Full fee paying)

Annual indicative fees (2025):
$4,622 (Commonwealth supported)
$25,704 (Full fee paying)

Further information on fees listed

Apply via SATAC

2GD133 (CSP)

2GD633 (FFP)

Master of Nursing

Duration: 1.5 or 2 years

Delivery mode:
In person
Online

Location:
Bedford Park

Availability:
Full-time Part-time

Start dates:
March
July

SATAC code:
2CM319 (1.5 years) (CSP)
2CM619 (1.5 years) (FFP)
2CM318 (2 years) (CSP)
2CM618 (2 years) (FFP)

Annual indicative fees (2025):
$9,095 (Commonwealth supported)
$26,865 (Full fee paying)

Further information on fees listed

Apply via SATAC

2CM319 (1.5yrs) (CSP)

2CM619 (1.5yrs) (FFP)

Your career

Graduates are suitable for careers in a wide range of nursing-related fields. Our courses will give registered nurses the opportunity to provide skilful care to individuals, families and communities to prevent illness, promote healthy lifestyles and manage a range of emerging complex health issues. You will be able to take on leadership and specialised care roles in a variety of clinical nursing settings.

A nursing career could encompass: schools, scientific research, home health services, rehabilitation, extended care, drug and alcohol services, family and child health and public environmental health.

Potential occupations include

child and family health nurses
school health nurse
case coordinator
clinical nurse specialist
health promotion nurse
community health nurse
nurse research assistant.

Professional accreditation

While there is no accreditation for specialist child and family health nurses, upon completion you will have met the requirements of the Maternal, Child and Family Health Nurses Australia (MCaFHNA) standards for practice

What you will study

Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing

The Graduate Certificate (Child and Family Health Nursing) consists of 18 units of core topics. It is designed to provide you with the opportunity to deepen your clinical and theoretical knowledge base in child and family health at a leadership and advanced communication level within your workplace and practice.

Graduate Diploma in Nursing

This course is designed to provide nurses with the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge and skills in scholarship, evidence-based practice, and leadership. It is suited to nurses with a solid foundation in clinical practice who want to improve healthcare. This course does not include any placement in a clinical environment. Students who complete the course specialisation will not meet the requirements to qualify for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Masters of Nursing

The Master of Nursing program is specifically tailored for registered nurses in Australia who aspire to enhance their contribution towards the development of healthcare services and the nursing profession. By undertaking this program, they can gain an in-depth understanding of contemporary healthcare practices and develop the skills necessary to apply this knowledge proficiently in both national and international contexts.

Practical experience

The specialisation has substantial professional experience placements (PEP) and prospective applicants are encouraged to seek advice from the coordinator concerning contact hours. Certain statutory and other requirements must be met before you are permitted to attend placement. View more details.

Practical experience requirements

You must make a self-declaration as to your fitness to practise and advise of any pre-existing illness or disability that may impair your ability to practise. You will also be required to undergo a police check before your placements.

Students on placement have both an increased risk of most vaccine-preventable diseases as well as the potential to transmit infections to susceptible patients. Students who are required to complete placements as part of their course must therefore be immunised in accordance with the relevant state or territory immunisation standards and any additional private provider requirements as needed.

View study program

Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing

Graduate Diploma in Nursing

Master of Nursing (1.5 years)

Master of Nursing (2 years)

Entry requirements

Graduate Certificate

Applicants must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification; hold current Registered Nurse registration.

Graduate Diploma

Applicants for the graduate diploma must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification, be a registered nurse.

All health professionals must hold a current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, or accredited within their discipline.

Masters (2 year)

Applicants must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification in Nursing; hold current Registered Nurse registration and have one year (Full-time equivalent) work experience as a Registered Nurse, within the last five years

Masters (1.5 year)

Applicants must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification; hold current Registered Nurse registration and have two years (Full-time equivalent) work experience as a Registered Nurse, within the last five years.