Nursing courses

Specialise in an area you’re passionate about by studying postgraduate nursing online

Help me choose a course

Introduction to Nursing

Already a qualified nurse, and want to take your career even further? Get ready to explore a range of flexible postgraduate nursing courses across mental health, aged care, clinical nursing, paediatrics and more. We’re here to help you compare your options with top universities and upskill on your terms. 

Looking for a Bachelor of Nursing online? While we don’t offer that study option, we can help you get into an undergraduate nursing qualification through online study. Keep scrolling to find out how.   

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Brenda studied health industry management with Curtin University through Open Universities Australia

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Online nursing degrees

Curtin University

Take your first step towards a career in health—including nursing

Start building your foundational knowledge of human health and healthcare. Explore human bodies. Get to know health practice. For graduates of this online health course, the pathway to health careers and further studies is open wide.

100% online

6 months full time or part time equivalent

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Australian Catholic University

Advance your career in heart health

Care for patients with heart diseases and conditions. You’ll gain specialist skills and knowledge to support patients needing cardiovascular care. Graduate and progress into more rewarding roles or continue your nursing studies.

100% online

6 months full time or part time equivalent

University of Notre Dame Australia

PostgraduateUND-NUR-GDI

Graduate Diploma of Nursing

Upgrade your nursing skills with advanced theory

A postgrad health qualification for registered nurses and students with practical nursing skills. Fill your knowledge gaps as you strive for quality patient care. This course provides a pathway to nursing leadership or further studies at Masters level.

100% online

1 year full time or part time equivalent

Charles Sturt University

Industry-aligned nursing specialisations

Improve health outcomes and grow your nursing career. Specialise in aged care, clinical education, remote nursing, and more. Learn from experienced nursing academics. Study nursing online and take the next step to develop your career.

100% online

Approx. 1.5 years full time or part time equivalent

Griffith University

Specialist emergency skills and knowledge for registered nurses

Care for patients and their families during complex emergency presentations. Gain the skills and confidence to make critical assessments and decisions. Explore leadership and how you can contribute to transforming the emergency nursing environment.

100% online

University of Southern Queensland

PostgraduateUSQ-NGN-MAS

Master of Nursing (General)

You can choose nursing specialisations that are important to you

Advance your nursing career with studies that suit your goals. Course options include leadership, gerontology, counselling, immunisation, and clinical education. You’ll build your expertise and specialist skills–and broaden your career options.

Online & on-campus

Approx. 1.5 years full time or part time equivalent

Southern Cross University

PostgraduateSCU-MHN-MAS

Master of Mental Health Nursing

A unique pathway to becoming a credentialed mental health nurse

A first of its kind. Specialise your nursing career to help those suffering from mental illness. Developed for registered nurses according to the latest mental health industry standards, this is a chance to learn from leading mental health academics.

100% online

Approx. 1.5 years full time or part time equivalent

University of Tasmania

Upskill as a nurse and get even better at patient care

If you’re a registered nurse and you’d like to deepen your knowledge about medication management, then this is the course for you. Explore how the body reacts to different drugs. Learn how to develop individualised medication plans for patients in your specialty area.

100% online

1 year full time or part time equivalent

Discover 47 ways to study nursing with leading Australian universities.

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Nursing study FAQs

Why should you study postgraduate nursing?

This is your chance to dive into a nursing speciality that you’ve always wanted to explore. To deepen your knowledge, qualify for more senior roles, and increase your earning potential. According to census data, registered nurses with a postgraduate qualification earn 45% more (on average) than those with just an undergraduate degree. That’s a compelling reason to consider further study.

Plus, when you obtain your postgraduate nursing degree online, you don’t have to slow down your career. You can focus on a single subject at a time, take breaks between study terms, and start at multiple points throughout the year.

What you'll learn in a postgraduate nursing course

As a postgraduate nursing student, you'll learn more advanced approaches to care so that you can deliver even better outcomes for your patients.

You can choose to develop specialist skills across a range of areas, including:

  • advanced nursing practice
  • allied health
  • clinical nursing
  • correctional health
  • critical care
  • emergency nursing
  • gerontological (aged care) nursing
  • mental health nursing
  • nursing leadership and management
  • paediatric nursing
  • remote and rural nursing

Once you complete your qualification, you’ll have the expertise you need to apply for new roles, supervise junior staff, tackle more complex clinical situations, and make informed decisions for the good of your patients.

Student stories and study advice

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From hitting the slopes as an Olympian to hitting the books through online education, Laura Peel’s journey is anything but ordinary.

How we help elite athletes prepare for life after sport

Together with the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS), we make studying easier for some of Australia’s most talented athletes. 

What are the most in-demand jobs in Australia?

Want to make sure you have a stable career ahead of you after you study? Take a look at the top 10 most in-demand jobs in Australia. 

What can you do with a health science degree?

From working in nutrition or health policy to supporting Indigenous health outcomes—let’s look at six health science careers that could be a great fit for you. 

We’re here to guide you to the right uni course

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Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian to access thousands of university courses.

Over 515,000 students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.

How we can help you

Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.

You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni

We make it possible for everyone to start university through single subjects, regardless of ATAR or study experience. These subjects are covered by government loans, and can be used to upskill or gain entry into a qualification.

You have the flexibility to start at multiple points during the year

We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.

You can rely on us as an unbiased destination for online tertiary education

As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.

Enrol in courses from 25 of Australia's leading universities

James Cook University Australia logoUniversity of Tasmania logo
La Trobe University logoCharles Sturt University logo
Flinders University logoUniversity of Southern Queensland logo
Murdoch University logoSouthern Cross University logo
Australian Catholic University logoMacquarie University logo
Edith Cowan University logoAustralian National University logo
Bond University logoTorrens University Australia logo
University of South Australia logoGriffith University logo
University of New England logoUniversity of the Sunshine Coast logo
Curtin University logoSwinburne University logo
The University of Notre Dame Australia logoThe University of Newcastle logo
The University of Queensland logoRMIT University logo
University of Adelaide logo

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