Graduate Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control

Advance your expertise in infection prevention and control and respond to emerging challenges in communicable diseases. This degree is ideal for nurses, clinicians and health professionals looking to strengthen their skills in evidence-based infection control across healthcare and community settings.

You’ll develop specialist skills to:

1. Analyse infectious disease patterns: examine epidemiology across local and global populations.
2. Use surveillance systems effectively: understand and apply disease monitoring and prevention frameworks.
3. Apply research to practice: interpret evidence, design studies and translate findings into infection control strategies.
4. Apply ethical and legal principles: support safe, compliant and responsible healthcare practice.
5. Lead change in healthcare settings: use leadership and management approaches to improve infection control outcomes.

Explore the science of infection and prevention

Build a strong foundation in the science of infection, including how microorganisms cause disease and how infections spread within populations. You’ll explore how the body responds to infection and how prevention strategies can be applied in real healthcare environments.

You’ll also strengthen your ability to evaluate research and apply evidence in practice, alongside developing leadership skills to improve infection control processes within your organisation.

Learn from Australia’s top nursing professionals 

This degree is a long-established and well-regarded infection prevention and control program. Griffith is also ranked No. 1 in Australia for nursing and midwifery, so you’ll learn from experienced educators and build expertise to make a meaningful impact in complex health environments.

Delivered 100% online, this degree offers flexible study with interactive learning and opportunities to connect with peers and professionals across the sector.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Sciences of Infection and Disease
• Contemporary Infection Prevention Practices
• Foundations of Research Inquiry
• Health Leadership and Management.

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you. 

Award requirements

For the award of Graduate Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control (GCertInfecPreventionCont), you must successfully complete 40 credit points comprising:

• 40 credit points for all Core Courses.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $7,000

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying part-time, which is typically 4 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia.

Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University

Explore Griffith University courses

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

To be eligible for this program, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a related discipline
• a combination of alternative admission criteria specified in the Prior Experience Application

Degrees from overseas institutions must be assessed as equivalent to a recognised Australian accredited qualification

Related disciplineincludes health, medical, nursing or scientific

Prior Experience Application is a procedure for registered nurses who do not have an undergraduate qualification. The School of Nursing and Midwifery will determine eligibility for admission based on the application, curriculum vitae and referee reports

The School of Nursing and Midwifery has instituted a Recognition of Prior Experience procedure for registered nurses who do not have an undergraduate qualification. Applicants will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate eligibility requirements. The School of Nursing and Midwifery will determine eligibility for admission into the requested program based on application, curriculum vitae and referee reports.

Registered nurses who do not have an undergraduate qualification will also need to complete the Recognition of Prior Experience form.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR an overall score of 79 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19 (applies to tests taken prior to 21 January 2026)
• OR an overall score of 4 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with a minimum score of 4 in each of the listening, reading, and writing skills, and a minimum score of 3.5 in speaking skills (applies to tests taken on or after 21 January 2026)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50 (applies to tests taken prior to 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 55 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 47 (applies to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 70 in the LanguageCert Academic
• OR an overall score of 59 in the Michigan English Test (MET)

English test results must be no more than two years old.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this program.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University procedure for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Admission Procedure

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.