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HM4.NC - Graduate Diploma of Health (Neonatal Care)
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HE PGCW Template
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20260200
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2026
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2026-09-30
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2026-09-30
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2.5
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/MK3.2/O3.2
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Program
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Postgraduate Course
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Graduate Diploma of Health (Neonatal Care)
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Institute of Health and Wellbeing
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Nursing
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<p>This course is aimed at Registered Nurses and Midwives who are currently working in, or would like to work in a Special Care Nursery environment, as well as: </p><ul><li>Registered Nurses working in rural or regional hospitals who provide assistance to midwives in birth suite when caring for compromised newborns or </li><li>Registered nurses or midwives wanting to update their knowledge and skills in caring for the compromised newborn.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>This course, therefore. aims to equip nurses and midwives. some of whom are relatively isolated. with the knowledge and skills to </p><ul><li>care for unwell neonates in the Special Care Nursery environment; </li><li>provide initial supportive care to unwell neonates; or </li><li>provide ongoing care to neonates with mild, transient health issues. </li></ul><p><br></p><p>This course is only offered part-time (duration is 2 years). </p><p>A graduate certificate is available upon exiting the course after sucessfully completing the first 12 months of the course.</p>
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120
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Graduate/PG Diploma new skills
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8 - Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
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1 year
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<p>Master of Health Program Coordinator, Kerrie Laidlaw</p>
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["Part time"]
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["Domestic"]
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3/4 HD and nothing less than a D
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<p>Students that achieve a grade of High Distinction (HD) in at least three quarters of the units they study in a teaching period and receive nothing less than a Distinction (D) in remaining units in that teaching period will receive a letter of commendation.</p>
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Fail any unit in a term
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<p>Students that fail a unit will be contacted via email with advice on required actions and referral to various Federation support services.</p>
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Fail > = 50% in a term OR fail a unit 2 times
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<p>Students who fail in 50 % or more of the units in which they are enrolled in any semester or who have not passed a unit after two attempts will be regarded as having unsatisfactory progress. They will be contacted via email and advised to contact their Course Coordinator to seek advice on how to address the issues that contributed to the result. </p>
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2 consecutive performance (%) unsatisfactory terms OR fail a unit 3 times
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<p>Following unsatisfactory progress in two consecutive semesters or failing a unit for the third time, students will be asked to show cause why they should not be suspended from the course. Unless a satisfactory response is received by the relevant Academic Progress Committee the student may be suspended from the course for a period of up to two years.</p>
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<p>Students who receive an MF grade in their final Semester may apply to the Course Coordinator within 7 days of the publication of results for supplementary assessment if that unit is the only outstanding unit required to complete the degree and the student has not been found guilty of any form of academic misconduct (e.g. plagiarism, contract cheating, collusion) in that Semester. The highest grade attainable will be a Pass grade.</p>
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<p>This course requires students to complete [Total Placement Hours] hours as part of the placement requirements.</p>
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<p>Successful completion of an Australian Bachelor Degree, or overseas equivalent.</p>
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<p>Applicants must be a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife with current AHPRA registration and meet the Nurses and Midwives Board of Australia recency of practice registration standard. Applicants must have a minimum of 12 months post-graduate experience in General Nursing or Midwifery completed in the past 5 years.</p>
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Academic requirements
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<p>Applicants are requested to provide supplementary information to support their application as listed below.</p>
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<p>The courses listed below offer approved credit pathways into this course, provided you meet the additional admission requirements.</p>
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<p>This course recognises relevant non-formal and informal prior learning and experiences, as long as you meet the admission eligibility rules and procedures, and any RPL unit exclusions.</p>
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Semester 1 entry course structure
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Credit, pathways, and recognition of prior learning
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Semester
Semester
0200
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2026
Current Year
2026
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Handbook
HM4.NC - Graduate Diploma of Health (Neonatal Care)
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HM4.NC - Graduate Diploma of Health (Neonatal Care)
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Course
Catalogue Term and Year
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Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Summer Semester
Year
2026
RDS Holder
Overview
Key information
Entry requirements
Course rules
Course structure
Course learning outcomes
Placement
Credit, pathways, and recognition of prior learning
Parent Region
Overview
Course overview
<p>This course is aimed at Registered Nurses and Midwives who are currently working in, or would like to work in a Special Care Nursery environment, as well as: </p><ul><li>Registered Nurses working in rural or regional hospitals who provide assistance to midwives in birth suite when caring for compromised newborns or </li><li>Registered nurses or midwives wanting to update their knowledge and skills in caring for the compromised newborn.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>This course, therefore. aims to equip nurses and midwives. some of whom are relatively isolated. with the knowledge and skills to </p><ul><li>care for unwell neonates in the Special Care Nursery environment; </li><li>provide initial supportive care to unwell neonates; or </li><li>provide ongoing care to neonates with mild, transient health issues. </li></ul><p><br></p><p>This course is only offered part-time (duration is 2 years). </p><p>A graduate certificate is available upon exiting the course after sucessfully completing the first 12 months of the course.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Nursing
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Study load:
Part time
Credit points:
120
AQF level:
8 - Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
Duration (in full time equivalent):
1 year
Domestic students:
<p><strong>Location</strong></p><p>Flexible Delivery - Ballarat (Blended)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Gippsland (Blended)</p>
Course coordinator:
<p>Master of Health Program Coordinator, Kerrie Laidlaw</p>
Entry requirements
Domestic students
Applicants with higher education study
Academic requirements
<ul><li>Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree at AQF level 7 in a cognate discipline in Midwifery, Nursing and relevant work experience of at least 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent</li></ul><ul><li>Applicants must be a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife with current AHPRA registration and meet the Nurses and Midwives Board of Australia recency of practice registration standard. Applicants must have a minimum of 12 months post-graduate experience in General Nursing or Midwifery completed in the past 5 years.</li></ul>
Additional requirements
Supplementary admission requirements
<p>Applicants are requested to provide supplementary information to support their application as listed below.</p><br /><p class="bold-heading3">Supplementary Form</p> <p>A form used to collect additional application material that cannot be captured as part of the standard application process.</p> <ul><li><p>Domestic students: <a href="https://www.federation.edu.au/apply/how-to-apply/postgraduate/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.federation.edu.au/apply/how-to-apply/postgraduate/</a> </p><p>International students: <a href="https://www.federation.edu.au/apply/how-to-apply/international/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.federation.edu.au/apply/how-to-apply/international/</a> </p></li></ul><br /><p class="bold-heading3">Proof of AHPRA registration</p> <p>Provision of a certificate or registration number proving your registration with AHPRA - the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.</p>
Course rules
Course rules show the number and type of credit points needed to finish your course. They help you understand what you need to complete to graduate. You’re responsible for following the course rules and completing the right units. You’ll find a recommended sequence of units that meets these course rules in the course structure.
Course rules
Complete 120 credit points comprising:
90
credit points from
Core Units
, and
30
credit points from
Elective Units
Core Units
Complete exactly 90 credit points from the following:
Code
Title
Credit points
HEALN6103
Complex Neonatal Care
30
HEALN6108
Supportive Neonatal Care
30
HEALP6201
Perinatal and Infant Mental Health 1
15
HEALP6202
Perinatal and Infant Mental Health 2
15
Elective Units
Complete exactly 30 credit points from the following:
Code
Title
Credit points
HEALM6302
Family and Community Studies
15
HEALN6106
Advanced Human Lactation
15
HEALT5000
Applied Health Research and Evidence Based Practice
15
Academic progress regulations
Commendation
<p>Students that achieve a grade of High Distinction (HD) in at least three quarters of the units they study in a teaching period and receive nothing less than a Distinction (D) in remaining units in that teaching period will receive a letter of commendation.</p>
Counselling
<p>Students that fail a unit will be contacted via email with advice on required actions and referral to various Federation support services.</p>
Unsatisfactory
<p>Students who fail in 50 % or more of the units in which they are enrolled in any semester or who have not passed a unit after two attempts will be regarded as having unsatisfactory progress. They will be contacted via email and advised to contact their Course Coordinator to seek advice on how to address the issues that contributed to the result. </p>
Exclusion / suspension
<p>Following unsatisfactory progress in two consecutive semesters or failing a unit for the third time, students will be asked to show cause why they should not be suspended from the course. Unless a satisfactory response is received by the relevant Academic Progress Committee the student may be suspended from the course for a period of up to two years.</p>
Final unit supplementary assessment
<p>Students who receive an MF grade in their final Semester may apply to the Course Coordinator within 7 days of the publication of results for supplementary assessment if that unit is the only outstanding unit required to complete the degree and the student has not been found guilty of any form of academic misconduct (e.g. plagiarism, contract cheating, collusion) in that Semester. The highest grade attainable will be a Pass grade.</p>
Course structure
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.federation.edu.au/students/student-essentials/how-to-enrol/what-to-enrol-in/">Course structures</a> set out the recommended sequence of units for enrolment. It's your responsibility to comply with the course rules and confirm unit availability (which you'll find under 'Offering' in the 'Key information' section of each unit outline).</p> <p>Select the semester you started your course in (not the semester you're enrolling for).</p>
Semester 1 entry course structure
Year 1
Semester 1
HEALN6108
Supportive Neonatal Care
Core Units
30
Semester 2
HEALN6103
Complex Neonatal Care
Core Units
30
Year 2
Semester 1
HEALP6201
Perinatal and Infant Mental Health 1
Core Units
15
HEALP6202
Perinatal and Infant Mental Health 2
Core Units
15
Semester 2
Elective Units
15
Elective Units
15
Course learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates will be able to:
Course learning outcomes
Ref
Outcome
<p>1</p>
<p>Integrate advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the assessment, interpretation and management of perinatal and infant mental health interventions and treatments utilised and applied in the neonatal or perinatal setting.</p>
<p>2</p>
<p>Demonstrate an advanced level of awareness and understanding of the global determinants of health at individual, group and community levels locally and internationally, including planning and provision of culturally safe care. </p>
<p>3</p>
<p>Demonstrate an advanced level of awareness, knowledge and application of critical thinking, critical analysis, critical writing skills and reflective practice for professional practice.</p>
<p>4</p>
<p>Develop advanced skills in self-motivation, life-long learning and research capabilities for independent inquiry and evidence-based practice in health contexts. </p>
<p>5</p>
<p>Demonstrate a developing capacity for self-reflective practice in the development of self and others in the context of leadership for health contexts. </p>
Placement
Placement information
<p>This course requires students to complete 80 hours as part of the placement requirements.</p>
Credit, pathways, and recognition of prior learning
Credit pathways
Credit pathways
<p>The courses listed below offer approved credit pathways into this course, provided you meet the additional admission requirements.</p>
CRS_CRDT_QUAL_PROVIDE
Course code and title
Institute / school
Credit points
<p><a target="_blank" href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/Program?p5_code=HN4.NC">HN4.NC - Graduate Certificate in Health (Neonatal Care)</a></p>
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
60 credit points
Nested qualifications
Nested qualifications
<ul><li>Upon successful completion of specified units you may exit this course with the following qualification: <p><a target="_blank" href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/Program?p5_code=HN4.NC">HN4.NC - Graduate Certificate in Health (Neonatal Care)</a></p></li></ul>
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning
<p>This course recognises relevant non-formal and informal prior learning and experiences, as long as you meet the admission eligibility rules and procedures, and any RPL unit exclusions.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Nursing
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Study load:
Part time
Credit points:
120
AQF level:
8 - Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
Duration (in full time equivalent):
1 year
Domestic students:
<p><strong>Location</strong></p><p>Flexible Delivery - Ballarat (Blended)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Gippsland (Blended)</p>
Course coordinator:
<p>Master of Health Program Coordinator, Kerrie Laidlaw</p>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: HM4.NC - C2.5/MK3.2/O3.2/R2.2