Master of Nursing Degrees | Find a Postgraduate Course

In Australia, the total cost of a Master of Nursing can range anywhere between $5,000 and $65,000 for a domestic student, and can depend on a number of factors.

• CSP Subsidies – If you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent resident, then you most likely qualify for a governement subsidised program (Commonwealth Supported Place). This can reduce the tuition fee of a standard 1.5 year masters in nursing to as little as $6,000 – which is a considerable 70-80% discount! Unfortunately, not all universities offer CSPs (about half do) for their masters. So if price is an important factor in where you choose to study, be sure to check out which universities have CSP available first.
• Institution– Although not always the case, prestigious universities (or those with a higher ranking) tend to charge a higher tuition fee for full-fee-paying students than smaller universities. For CSP students, the cost difference is quite negligible given the large subsidy each receive from the government.
• Specialistion –  Certain specialisations, and/or subjects might cost you a little more than others. This varies greatly depending on the specific units you decide to study, each with a different price tag.
• Program length – Some universities offer a 1-year Master of Nursing for registered nurses (RN) who have completed an honors year, or Graduate Certificate in Nursing. Reducing the number of units you need to study and pay for, by roughly a third. Similary, courses that support students without a Bachelor of Nursing will take longer, and cost more.

Although each university program has their own admissions criteria, typically you will be expected to demonstrate the following:

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a postgraduate qualification in nursing (almost always required)
• AHPRA registration as a Division 1 Registered Nurse (almost always required)
• At least one-year of experience as a Registered Nurse (often required)

Note: You can still study a Master of Nursing without a Bachelor of Nursing. Some univerisities offer a specific ‘graduate entry’ program, than accept students who have completed any undergraduate degree. However, note that some of these don’t involve placement and therefore don’t provide you the practical skills needed to become a RN.

Each Master of Nursing course consists of 12 units of study that are completed over several semesters. The program will often include both core and elective units, plus a capstone project or thesis.

Universities tend to provide their own unique selection of specialisations that you can major in. Each with their own corresponding core subject areas. In some cases, these may involve practical placement or a learning component within the work setting.

In most cases, the answer is yes. Many universities in Australia offer a Master of Nursing 100% online. Unlike the Bachelor or Diploma of Nursing qualifications, the masters degree places a greater emphasis on learning advanced theoretical knowledge and nursing principles in clinical, leadership, or research settings.

Of course, a Masters in Nursing course can also be found on-campus, or in a blended format should that be your preference.

If you are looking to progress into more senior roles, a masters degree may be the key to unlocking your future, or it may just provide you with the confidence to be a more effective leader in a rapidly evolving nusing industry. It’s also a great way to meet your CPD requirements as a RN.

According to the Australian Goverment’s Labour Market Insights a substantial chunk of senior nurses hold a postgraduate qualification.

• 50% of Nurse Educators
• 40% of Nursing Directors
• 33% of Nursing Managers

At the same time, it’s not alway a requirement to have a masters qualification in these senior roles (with some exceptions). If you are comfortable where you are in your career and the progress you are making towards your goals, a nursing masters may not be the right pathway for you.