Prior to 31 December 2015

To be read in conjunction with the requirements of the degree in which you are admitted:

The Aged Care Nursing Studies specialisation is an 18-unit program offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. 

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification and must be registered nurses and must hold a current practising certificate.

However, the Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

International applicants must be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, unless otherwise indicated, to be eligible to apply.

Course aims

The course aims to provide the opportunity for individuals from any professional background who are working in health related areas to deepen the knowledge base on which their practice is grounded. 

Learning outcomes

Graduates of this course are expected to be able to:

  • assess and examine the complexity of the ISSes associated with nursing an older client in their day-to-day practise
  • use the policies which impact on the professional, organisational and political context of aged care nursing practice
  • identify the cultural variations, gender differences, social issues such as ageism, isolation, poverty, abuse and neglect, violence and media portrayal associated with ageing.

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Health (Aged Care Nursing Studies), a student must complete 18 units with a grade of Pass or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or in 9 units or more, or failure to complete the course within two consecutive years may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University''s Policy on Student Progress.

A student who fails the clinical component of any topic will receive a fail grade for the entire topic.

Except with permission of the Faculty Board:

  • no topic may be attempted more than twice
  • the program must be completed in four consecutive semesters
  • a student may not include a topic which repeats work previously undertaken.

Core topics


13.5 units comprising

 NURS9707  Policy and Political Context of Health and Ageing  (4.5 units)
 NURS9708  Social Context of Health and Ageing  (4.5 units)
 NURS9709  Advanced Nursing Assessment  (4.5 units)

Elective topics

plus one of

 NURS9518  Independent Study  (4.5 units)* 
 NURS9710  The 3 Ds Dementia, Delirium and Depression  (4.5 units)

*NURS9518 is a recommended elective for the exploration of research in a particular area of aged care nursing interest.

Students may, in consultation with the Course Coordinator, select other postgraduate topics offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences as electives.