Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing
Course code: GC-CNCRNUR
January, June
AUD $14,000 (2026 indicative first year fee). Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are not available
January, June
AUD $14,496 (2026 indicative first year fee)
IELTS 6.5: with no band less than 6.0
Course structure
Overview
What you will learn
Enhance your therapeutic communication and collaborative skills
You will discuss the psychosocial, informational and spiritual impacts of diagnosis and treatment on people with cancer and their families. You will also develop your knowledge and skills in therapeutic communication and explore opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills to enhance the experience of cancer survivors.
Apply knowledge of cancer biology and control across the care continuum
You will be able to safely and effectively apply your technical knowledge and provide specialist cancer nursing care that addresses disease and treatment-related health needs.
Confidently plan and implement comprehensive, patient-centred care
Learn to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate individualised, patient-centred care plans in collaboration with other members of the multidisciplinary cancer control team. You will use evidence-based resources to provide tailored information and education to people affected by cancer to enable self-management.
Course structure
The Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing is a 50-point program, designed to be undertaken part-time over twelve months. To gain the award, you must complete three core subjects and two selectives, each worth 6.25 points.
Please note if you commence study in the winter intake you will have a 6 month break after completing the first subject Applied Pathophysiology and recommence in March the year after. Consequently starting this course in the winter intake will take 1.5 years to complete.
Workload
On average, it is estimated that students will be required to allocate 13-18 hours per week for ‘study’ time for each subject. However, the time commitment required can vary based on individual task management and planning skills, familiarity with the material, reading style and speed.
In addition to online learning, students undertaking the course need to be employed 3-5 days per week in a nominated health service in order to complete a structured program in work-integrated learning.
Explore this course
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this certificate.
Complete all of the following
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Applied Pathophysiology · 12.5 pts |
This subject provides a foundation for understanding the pathologic basis of disease across the lifespan. It equips learners with the knowledge and skills required to explain assessment data and prioritise patient care in a specialty area of practice based on scientific principles. Core pathophysiological concepts covered will include: cellular responses to stress; adaptation, injury and death; acute and chronic inflammation; tissue renewal and repair; infection; neoplasia; haemodynamic, genetic and immune system disorders and genetic predisposition to disease. Using a case study based approach, learners will be provided with opportunities to apply their knowledge
|
| Foundations in Cancer Nursing · 12.5 pts |
This subject is designed to promote the development of foundation theoretical knowledge for the specialist nursing of people affected by cancer. Key concepts explored in this subject include cancer biology, diagnosis, and treatment planning, underpinned by the principles of cure, control, and symptom management. Cancer epidemiology is explained with a focus on cancer control in specific populations, including First Nations Australians. Surgery, systemic anticancer therapies and radiation therapy are examined as core treatments and elements of a multi-modal approach in the management of cancers. The physical and psychosocial impacts of diagnosis and treatment on people with cancer and their family are explored, as are opportunities to develop knowledge and skills to enhance the experience of survivors. Emphasis is placed on health assessment and implementing and evaluating patient-centred care through the delivery of evidence-based nursing interventions across the disease trajectory. |
| Cancer Nursing Practice · 12.5 pts |
Cancer nursing practice is characterised by a diversity of clinical presentations, requiring application of a core set of clinical skills in specialist nursing practice. In this subject, students will apply the theoretical principles from this subject and the Applied Pathophysiology and Foundations in Cancer Nursing subjects to build competency in the application of core skills learned in the subject within the clinical area of their specialty practice. Students’ application of their learning will be also evaluated in the clinical setting. Students will demonstrate the ability to undertake comprehensive patient assessments, plan and deliver individualised, evidence-based, best practice specialist cancer nursing care to meet the range of supportive care needs of people affected by cancer. |
Choose two of the following
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Medical Oncology Nursing · 6.25 pts |
This subject will provide students with the theoretical scientific knowledge for medical-oncology nursing, including an understanding of the biology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of high frequency, high-risk solid tumours in specialist cancer nursing care to prepare, support and assess people affected by cancers. Students will also evaluate best practice specialist nursing in the management of people affected by high frequency, high-risk solid malignancies as well as identify peoples supportive care needs. |
| Haematological Oncology Nursing · 6.25 pts |
In this subject, students will explore and apply knowledge of the biology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of haematologic malignancies in specialist cancer nursing care to prepare, support and assess people affected by these cancers. Students will learn to assess the supportive care needs of people affected by haematologic malignancies and critique best practice interdisciplinary approaches to managing cancer- and treatment-related effects in people affected by blood cancers. |
| Radiation Oncology Nursing · 6.25 pts |
In this subject, students will explore current and emerging treatments of specific cancer diagnoses and populations with radiation therapy in specialist cancer nursing care to prepare, support and assess people affected by cancer. Students will learn and advocate for the best practice specialist cancer nursing care of site-specific toxicities of radiation therapy. Students will also explore the supportive care needs of people affected by cancer undergoing radiation therapy and appreciate the importance of evidence-based interdisciplinary interventions to meet these needs. |
| Surgical Oncology Nursing · 6.25 pts |
This subject will provide students with the scientific basis underpinning specialist surgical oncology nursing. In this subject, students will explore current and emerging surgical interventions, across the disease trajectory, for specific cancer diagnoses and populations. This subject provides nurses with specialist surgical oncology knowledge in relation to the assessment, care and support of people affected by cancer. Students will learn and advocate for the best practice specialist cancer nursing care in the prevention, detection and management of surgical oncology complications. Students will also explore specific supportive care needs of people affected by cancer who are treated with surgery and appreciate the importance of evidence-based interdisciplinary interventions to meet these needs. |
| Haematopoietic Transplant Nursing · 6.25 pts |
In this subject, students will explore haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of haematologic malignancies. Students will explore the evidence to prepare, assess and support people during treatment. Students will also learn and advocate for the best practice interdisciplinary approaches to the unique late effects experienced by people affected by haematologic malignancies. |