Graduate Certificate in
Alcohol & Other Drugs Nursing
Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Other Drugs Nursing
On this page: Overview | Course rationale | Learning outcomes | Course structure | Entry requirements | Fees and scholarships | Apply
Upgrade your nursing career in Alcohol and Other Drugs Nursing
The aim of this course is to encourage professional and ethical understanding of evidence-based clinical practice development in alcohol and other drugs nursing. It will provide students with an understanding of substance use issues from both an individual and public health perspective. The course covers assessment, treatment and nursing care of people experiencing alcohol and other drug dependence. The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve health outcomes for those experiencing issues with substance use through the coordination and provision of person-centred care in this growing speciality.
Course rationale
According to Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia (DANA), “the specialist drug and alcohol nurse is required to provide specialised leadership, expert knowledge and nursing skills to assess, identify and respond to complex problems of individuals and families affected by drug and alcohol related health conditions, including dependence and mental and/or physical health comorbidities. . .” (Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia, 2012, p.4).
Studying alcohol and other drugs nursing with ACN provides the knowledge and skills for the provision and coordination of person-centred care in this growing specialty. The aim is to encourage professional and ethical understanding of clinical practice development for the improvement of individual health outcomes.
Learning outcomes
At successful completion of the course students should be able to:
- Apply critical thinking/clinical reasoning skills to the assessment of the person living with alcohol and other drug issues, linking specialist theory to holistic clinical practice
- Demonstrate specialist knowledge in the use of pharmacotherapies and psychosocial interventions for the treatment of persons in the context of alcohol and other drugs nursing practice
- Apply current evidence-based research, including government policy and strategy, to enhance clinical decision-making skills and care planning in the context of alcohol and other drugs nursing practice
- Develop advanced communication skills in order to establish therapeutic relationships with persons, their support network, and the interdisciplinary team to promote a holistic approach to alcohol and other drugs nursing care
- Develop leadership, mentoring and educational skills to contribute to high standard alcohol and other drugs nursing practice, and facilitate quality improvement in this area
- Critically reflect on the role of personal values and ethics as central to the development of culturally safe practice in alcohol and other drugs nursing practice
Course structure
The Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Other Drugs Nursing is a one year course, consisting of four 10-week terms.
Students will need to complete 4 core units. One unit is studied per term.
Approximate hours of study are 12 – 15 hours per week.
| Unit type | Unit name & pricing | Course codes |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 - Core | Foundational Concepts in Alcohol and other Drugs Nursing (324), Tier 1 | |
| Term 2 - Core | Advancing Professional Practice (340), Tier 2 | |
| Term 3 - Core | Clinical Approaches in Alcohol and Other Drugs Nursing (326)*, Tier 1 | |
| Term 4 - Core | Health Promotion and Harm Reduction in Alcohol and Other Drugs Nursing (338), Tier 1 | |
| *324 is a pre-requisite and must be completed first. | ||
ACN offers two intakes per year in January and July. Important dates including start and census dates can be found here.
Flexible intakes in April and October may be available, please contact our Customer Services team for further details.
Entry requirements
Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Other Drugs Nursing must have at least one years’ work experience in alcohol and other drug nursing or a related field.
In addition, applicants must satisfy any pre-requisites or additional requirements specified for particular courses, including ACN’s general eligibility criteria. All applicants seeking admission are required to:
- hold a Bachelor of Nursing or registered nurse* equivalent qualification
- hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA); or the equivalent registering authority in your country of origin
- meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia English language skills registration standard (nursing and midwifery) – please refer to the AHPRA website to download the standard
- have a minimum of one year of postgraduate experience; and
- be currently employed in the clinical area of specialisation*
*For some GC units of study, consideration may be given for applicants who are not registered nurses on an individual basis.
Fees and scholarships
| Tiers | 2025 Member price (10% discount) | 2025 Non-member price |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $2,403.00 | $2,670.00 |
| Tier 2 | $2,740.50 | $3,045.00 |
| Tier 3 | $3,539.00 | $3,932.00 |
| Tier 4 | $4,166.00 | $4,628.50 |
Fees are subject to change without notice.
ACN offers a flexible payment option allowing students to pay their fees on a term-by-term basis. Each term’s fees are due upfront, prior to term commencement.
FEE-HELP is also available for eligible students. Further information can be found here.
Want to save on course fees?
Being a part of the ACN community allows nurses to be the best they can be and strengthen the voice of nursing through a range of invaluable benefits, including 10% off graduate certificates and other education offerings, exclusive networking events, access to support and advice on ACN’s online engagement platform The Buzz, free online CPD courses and opportunities to be involved in shaping health care policy. Find out more and join our tribe today!
Find a scholarship to suit you
Discover our range of scholarships to support you to succeed in your studies regardless of your circumstances. Find ACN scholarships or ACN Foundation Grants and Awards.
Meet your Nurse Educator
Erin Rooney, Nurse Educator – Higher Education
RN, BN, BPharmSc, MNg(GP&Com), MPallC, GCertHELT, GCert Lrdshp & Mgt, GradDipN(Clinical Nursing & Teaching), Cert IV TAE, Phd Candidate
e: erin.rooney@acn.edu.au
» About me
Erin coordinates the Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Other Drugs Nursing and Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care at ACN. With a primary focus on palliative and community nursing, she has extensive experience in diverse rural and remote locations across Australia, providing comprehensive generalist care. Erin’s expertise in palliative and community nursing is the product of over ten years of dedicated experience in these fields.
Erin’s experience enables her to guide and support aspiring nursing professionals effectively. Her commitment to providing culturally safe, evidence-based, and holistic care is the foundation of her work in nursing education and clinical practice. Erin firmly believes in the transformative power of further education for nurses, enabling them to adopt evidence-based practices that lead to positive outcomes for all people within their care.
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Apply now
Please ensure you read all course information and make sure you meet entry requirements prior to commencing the application form.
Applications for enrolment will not be progressed until all relevant documentation has been received by Customer Services.
We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care professionals to study this course. If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person we encourage you to let us know in your application. If you require assistance with completing your application or support during the course, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
Course codes:
10 015 2521 (January 2025 intake)
10 015 2522 (July 2025 intake)
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Graduate Certificate attributes
Get valuable industry skills with a competitive edge. ACN supports our students to graduate with the following attributes:
1
Demonstrate enhanced professional, social and ethical understanding in a specialist area of practice.
2
Apply complex problem solving and information literacy skills to the development of evidence-based practice, research and policy reform.
3
Engage in behaviour that is culturally appropriate, safe and sensitive to the needs of people in their care.
4
Demonstrate an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal values, culture and knowledge to build trust and improve health outcomes.
5
Combine advanced communication skills with an awareness of global health determinants to independently and collaboratively lead and educate others.
6
Reflect and think critically to be better able to care for self, improve health outcomes, and influence safe and effective professional practice.
Virtual Open Day
Jump online for Virtual Open Day to learn more about studying with the Australian College of Nursing (ACN).
Whether you are a nurse ready to upskill with a specialty graduate certificate or immunisation course, seeking an entry pathway to Masters or want to explore continuing professional development opportunities, this interactive event will answer all your questions.
Connect directly with experienced nurse educators and academics and discuss your career goals. Learn about how postgraduate study can shape your career, gain tips and tricks on preparing for online study and student life, all from the comfort of your own home.
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We’re here to help you every step of the way
For general information please contact:
Customer Services
t: (02) 9745 7500
e: customerservices@acn.edu.au
More information
General information
Important dates
Clinical placements
Postnominals
Frequently asked questions
- A Graduate Certificate typically requires the completion of 4 units (equivalent to 6 months of full-time study) or 24 credit points.
- A Graduate Diploma generally involves 8 units (equivalent to 1 year of full-time study) or 48 credit points.
- A Graduate Certificate is an entry-level postgraduate qualification, offering foundational knowledge in a specific area. It's often used for career advancement, upskilling, or transitioning to a new field. It is ideal for those seeking to enhance specific skills or qualifications without committing to a longer program. While a Graduate Diploma builds on the foundational knowledge of a Graduate Certificate, providing a deeper understanding and more advanced skills in the subject area.
- A Graduate Diploma is more expensive than a Graduate Certificate because it involves completing twice the number of units.
Each unit is worth 6 credit points, with a total of 24 credit points for the course.
You need to complete four units to obtain a Graduate Certificate.
A Graduate Certificate includes four units. The total cost depends on the Tier levels of the units. For example, a course with three Tier 1 units and one Tier 2 unit in 2025 will cost $10,680. Members receive a 10% discount on course fees.
Learn more about membership, its benefits and how to join.
Each unit has a different cost, indicated by its Tier level. You can find the specific fee amounts for each Tier level in the fee schedule.
Once you have receive the offer letter and accepted the place, you will receive the invoice for the unit fees. You can pay via bank transfer (details provided in the invoice) or by calling (02) 9745 7500 during business hours (8:30 am – 5:00 pm) to pay over the phone.
No, Commonwealth Supported Places are not offered for Graduate Certificate courses. However, FEE-HELP is available for eligible applicants. To see if you are eligible for FEE-HELP, please go the Australian government Study Assist website.
No, Graduate Certificate courses and single units of study have fixed start dates. There are four terms per year: January, April, July, and October. Check the Important Dates section on the website for details.
The course is typically completed in one year (one unit per term. If you would like to take leave during your study, you can take up to three consecutive terms of leave if you have enrolled in at least one unit. However, you must finish the course within two years.
No, there are no exams. The course and assessments are delivered online. Please note some courses may require mandatory in-class attendance or (off-site) clinical placements. For more details, please see individual course pages.
No, once you are enrolled in the course, you can access the online learning platform anytime to access the course material, offering flexibility for students balancing work and family commitments. However, assessments are only available during specific periods and must be completed within the allocated timeframe. The online course is supported by course coordinators, unit coordinators, tutors, and library staff, who offer access to resources such as books, journals, and databases.
Note: The Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-entry) is an exception and has both mandatory on-campus classes as well as clinical placements.
