Enhanced Gerontological Nursing Program

Think of the Enhanced Gerontological Nursing Program as your support package from where you are now to a flourishing career.   Charles Darwin University delivers this program free of charge to nurses transitioning to gerontological nursing, in partnership with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The aim is to upskill the nursing workforce with the confidence and competence in applying advanced nursing knowledge in person-centred care delivery. 

More information is available on our program flyer

The best part! There are NO enrollment fees for participants. This program is currently free and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. It is an investment in you and the future of the aged care workforce. 

The program is a blend of online learning, live webinars, professional mentorship, and intensive workshops.

Learning is delivered through a blended model that includes:

• 7 core online learning modules
• 7 live webinars (1.5 hours each, delivered across the first seven months)
• 3 elective online modules
• A 1-day hybrid workshop (face-to-face combined with virtual delivery)
• The submission of a reflective learning portfolio, developed throughout the program with support from your mentor and academic staff

You will gain advanced clinical skills, leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of the aged care quality standards. From complex care management to navigating the emotional aspects of the sector, the curriculum is designed to make you a confident nurse who appreciates gerontological nursing as a specialty.

This program equips you to deliver care that upholds the rights, strengths, dignity, and autonomy of older people, while fostering effective teamwork and shared decision‑making. 

The program is designed to fit into your professional journey over 6 -10 months. This timeframe ensures you have ample opportunity to grow without feeling rushed or lagging.

We are looking for passionate individuals who are ready to make a difference in caring for the older person!  

You can apply if you meet the following criteria:

1. You are an enrolled nurse or registered nurse currently registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
2. You are currently employed in an aged care setting - residential, home care, community, or hospital gerontology/sub-acute care where older persons nursing is the primary focus.

AND one of the following:

• You are a newly graduated nurse (within two years of practice)
• You are an experienced nurse (more than two years), but recently transitioned into one of the aged care settings mentioned in criterion 2.
• You are a nurse practitioner within the first two years of practice in aged care settings.

First Nations (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) nurses are highly encouraged to apply.

Because your learning journey doesn’t stop with us. At CDU, we go beyond the transition program by supporting your long-term career growth. From postgraduate courses in older person nursing care to master's level study, we guide you every step of the way. The transition program is just your starting point: it builds the practical foundation for advanced professional development.

We offer open intake with no waiting period. When you’re ready to start, we’re ready to welcome you. There’s no need to wait for fixed entry dates. Your learning can begin when it suits you.

Flexible, supportive delivery designed for working nurses. We understand the realities of balancing study, work and personal commitments. That’s why our academics provide flexible learning options, including make-up sessions and individualised study plans. We take your challenges seriously and are committed to helping you succeed.

Yes! We welcome applications from diverse backgrounds. Nurses on temporary visas and employer-sponsored visas are eligible to apply if they meet the eligibility criteria above. 

You can certainly start the application process! However, full enrollment is typically contingent on having your AHPRA registration finalised before your official start date.  

To participate in this program, you must be registered with AHPRA and currently employed in an aged care setting - residential, home care, community, or hospital gerontology/sub-acute care where older persons nursing is the primary focus.

You won't be doing this alone. You’ll have access to the ACTTP Projects Team,  Charles Darwin University (CDU) academic staff and your allocated program mentor.

No. CDU will help facilitate these connections for you. However, we love it when participants nominate a mentor they already trust within their facility. CDU can support and formalise that arrangement.

Life happens! If you have planned leave, simply let us know early. We are committed to flexibility and will work with you to find an alternative solution so you can stay on track with the program. 

We provide flexible participation options. Please discuss your circumstances with our team at agedcarettp@cdu.edu.au to explore these options.

Completion of the ACTTP program is just the beginning!

Nurses who successfully complete this program will be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for one unit in the ‘Graduate Certificate of Older Person Nursing Care’ offered by CDU. You may further extend your education by enrolling in a Master of Clinical Nursing, either in Older Person Nursing Care or in Nurse Practitioner Pathway.

Joining us is easy. To register your interest, ask for more details or get the ball rolling, please email the team at agedcarettp@cdu.edu.au 

Registered nurses with a minimum of three years’ experience (current or recent) in the care of older people are eligible to register as a mentor.

If you have a passion for sharing knowledge and a desire to shape the next generation of the workforce, you are exactly who we’re looking for!

To ensure both you and your mentee have a high-quality experience, we typically recommend mentoring three participants at a time.  CDU can reduce this number based on your workload or circumstances to ensure you can provide meaningful guidance without overextending your own professional capacity. 

Not necessarily. Depending on the number of mentors and mentees participating from your organisation, you may or may not be allocated nurses from your own workplace.

We believe in mentoring the mentors! You will receive a comprehensive orientation, access to specialised resources, and ongoing support from the ACTTP Projects Team. We are here to ensure you feel confident and equipped to guide your mentee effectively. 

CDU provides several support channels for ACTTP mentors as below:

• Opportunity to enrol in a fee-free online, self-paced short course that supports mentors’ professional development: Mentoring in Clinical Practice.
• Access to meet with other mentors participating in CDU’s ACTTP program via a monthly online Community of Practice meeting.
• Certificate of achievement on completion of mentorship activities.
• Opportunity to apply for credit units towards ‘Graduate Certificate of Clinical Education’ offered by CDU (conditions apply).

Signing up is simple. You can register your interest by emailing the team at agedcarettp@cdu.edu.au. 

Once submitted, a member of our team will reach out to discuss the next steps and how we can best support your mentoring journey.