Graduate Certificate in Designated Registered Nurse Prescribing

Admissions information

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• Course description

  The Graduate Certificate in Designated Registered Nurse Prescribing prepares experienced Registered Nurses to prescribe medicines safely and effectively within the designated registered nurse prescriber scope of practice. Aligned with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Registration Standard and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) Registered Nurse Prescribing Accreditation Standards, this AQF Level 8 course develops advanced capability in comprehensive health assessment, clinical reasoning, applied pharmacology and quality use of medicines. The course emphasises ethical, legal and professional accountability, culturally safe and person‑centred care, interprofessional collaboration, digital health, and sustainable prescribing practices that minimise harm to individuals, communities and the environment. Delivered fully online, the program is designed for working clinicians and provides a flexible, practice‑focused pathway to support endorsement as a registered nurse prescriber.

• Important dates

  Find out more about application dates relating to this course

• Scholarships and prizes

  Discover our scholarships for undergraduate, postgraduate and research students. Our scholarships celebrate diversity and academic excellence. Use the scholarship search tool to find the right scholarship for you.

  Scholarships for domestic students

  Scholarships for international students

• Course duration

  Delivered fully online in distance mode via the UTS Parallel calendar, the GCDRNP can be completed in 8–16 months. Students typically study one 6-credit-point subject per 7-week session, with the course comprising four subjects delivered across four teaching sessions.

• Admission requirements

  Applicants must have all the following:

  • Completed Australian bachelor’s degree or higher qualification, or overseas equivalent, in nursing

  AND

  • Current registration as a Registered Nurse in Australia (Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency AHPRA) with no conditions on their registration

  AND

  • Current employment as a registered nurse in a clinical role

  AND

  • A minimum of 3 years full-time (5000+ hours), or equivalent part-time, post-registration clinical nursing experience, obtained within the last six years

  Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application

  • Curriculum Vitae

  AND

  • Proof of Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA) unrestricted registration

  AND

  • Written evidence of clinical support from their employer or an independent prescriber (medical practitioner or Nurse Practitioner) confirming their commitment to support and assess the student’s competency development.

  AND

  • Statement of Service in one of the following formats demonstrating minimum length of work experience required:
  • A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
  • A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer

   

  English language requirements

  Applicants must meet the AHPRA Registration Standard: English Language Skills. Evidence of current general registration with the applicable professional AHPRA board will satisfy the minimum English language proficiency requirement.

• Domestic course fees

  2027 Indicative tuition fees for domestic students

  As a postgraduate student, you'll be responsible for covering your own tuition fees.

  2027 Tuition Fee

  • Indicative first-year tuition fee:  $15082.50
  • Indicative total tuition fee:  $15082.50

  You can choose to pay your fees upfront per session, or if you’re eligible, you can defer them using a government FEE-HELP loan. This loan helps you cover all or part of your tuition fees. Keep in mind that applications for this loan are specific to each course.

  Additional Costs 

  Your tuition fees do not include:

  • The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), which supports student services and activities. If eligible, you can defer this fee using SA-HELP.
  • Textbooks, materials, and other course-related costs.
  • Any applicable payment processing fees (e.g., credit card surcharges).

  Important Information 

  • Fees are shown in Australian Dollars (AUD).
  • The indicative tuition fees above are based on full-time study (1 year = 48 credit points).
  • Your actual fees depend on the year you enrol, your study load and the subjects you choose. Some subjects fall into different student contribution bands.
  • You can calculate your student contribution based on the amounts listed in the student contribution table

  Alumni Advantage Program 

  As a UTS graduate, you can enjoy a 10% discount on your course fees. Just apply for the course you're interested in, and if you're accepted, the discount will automatically be applied to your enrolment invoice. Learn more about the Alumni Advantage Program. 

  If you have any questions about course fees, please feel free to make an enquiry.
 

  Information for Masters by Research students: Government-funded scholarship places available

  As a recipient of the Australian Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset Scholarship, you do not have to pay tuition fees for up to the maximum period of candidature. However, even with this scholarship, you should expect ongoing costs that aren’t covered, like travel, training, and professional development. These costs can vary for each person, so it’s important to plan accordingly. Additionally, scholarships are available to help with your living expenses.

  Important details: The RTP Fees Offset Scholarship covers your tuition fees, but please note that it doesn’t include additional costs related to studying or conducting research. Additional fees for domestic students. For more information visit Research student fees.

• Inherent requirements

  Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential for successfully completing a course at UTS. You can find the inherent requirements for your course via the inherent requirements directory.

• Important notes

  This course is delivered fully online (Distance mode) and is not available to international students.

  Endorsement, Supervision and Inherent Requirements:

  • Successful completion of the GCDRNP does not automatically confer endorsement or authority to prescribe.
  • After completing the course, graduates must apply separately to the NMBA through Ahpra for endorsement for scheduled medicines as a designated registered nurse prescriber. Refer to the GCDRNP Student Endorsement Information Guide and Pathway to Becoming an Endorsed Designated Registered Nurse Prescriber on the website (insert link).
  • To be eligible for endorsement, applicants must have successfully completed an NMBA-approved program of study and satisfy all other registration, professional practice and evidence requirements specified by the NMBA.
  • Admission to, enrolment in or graduation from the GCDRNP does not guarantee that endorsement will be granted. The NMBA assesses each application independently.
  • Endorsement does not, by itself, provide authority to prescribe in every workplace or jurisdiction. Before prescribing commences, the endorsed RN, authorised independent prescriber and employing organisation must establish an approved prescribing agreement, defined scope of practice, clinical governance arrangements, legal authority and appropriate mentorship.
  • Following endorsement, the RN must complete six months of supervised prescribing practice in accordance with NMBA and Ahpra requirements.
  • Evidence of appropriate supervision arrangements must be provided before commencing the course. Refer to the GCDRNP Supervision Agreement and GCDRNP Potential Supervisor Information Guide on the website (insert link).
  • Evidence of completion of the Inherent Requirements Declaration Form (link) must be provided prior to commencement of the course.