For nurses in Australia, staying up to date with the latest clinical knowledge, professional skills, and best practices is essential—not only for delivering high-quality patient care, but also for meeting mandatory registration requirements. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) requires all enrolled and registered nurses to complete at least 20 hours of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) each year. But where can nurses go to get this training?
Whether you’re working full-time, juggling shift work, or returning from a career break, there are many flexible, accessible, and affordable options to earn CPD hours across Australia. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most trusted and convenient CPD resources for nurses.
1. Online CPD Platforms
One of the most popular ways to complete CPD is through online learning platforms tailored specifically for healthcare professionals. These offer flexibility and a wide range of topics, from clinical updates to communication skills and leadership development.
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Ausmed: A widely-used CPD tracker and learning platform offering hundreds of accredited courses. Nurses can access content on-demand and get certificates for their portfolio.
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Nurse CPD Online: Offers affordable, self-paced modules with practical content and quizzes.
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HealthTimes CPD Centre: Provides free and paid CPD courses across nursing specialties.
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Thinkific, Coursera, and EdX: Though not nursing-specific, they offer relevant health and wellness courses that can often be claimed as CPD if they meet NMBA criteria.
2. Professional Associations
Joining a professional nursing body not only gives you a voice in the industry but also provides direct access to CPD programs, conferences, and journals.
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Australian College of Nursing (ACN): Offers online learning, masterclasses, webinars, and events with CPD hours attached.
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Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF): Members get access to an online CPD portal with evidence-based courses.
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College of Emergency Nursing Australasia (CENA) and ACORN (for perioperative nurses): These specialty groups offer targeted CPD content.
3. Workplace Training and In-Services
Many employers offer in-house CPD opportunities that count toward your annual requirement. These can include:
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Mandatory training sessions (e.g., infection control, manual handling)
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In-service education and case study discussions
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Quality improvement meetings or audits
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Participation in policy review or clinical teaching
Always check that the training aligns with your practice and NMBA’s CPD guidelines.
4. Conferences and Workshops
Attending local, state, or national nursing conferences is a fantastic way to combine networking with professional learning. These events often provide significant CPD hours and deep dives into the latest healthcare research and clinical practice.
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Look out for events hosted by ACN, ANMF, or other specialty nursing colleges.
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Many conferences now offer hybrid formats, so you can join virtually if travel isn’t an option.
5. University and TAFE Courses
For those wanting to take a deeper dive, short courses or postgraduate study through universities or TAFE can provide formal CPD recognition. Even short certificates in wound care, palliative care, or leadership can be both career-enhancing and CPD-compliant.
Tips to Stay on Track
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Document Everything: Keep a log of completed CPD, dates, topics, and learning outcomes. Ausmed’s CPD tracker is a great free tool.
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Link Learning to Practice: Choose CPD activities that directly enhance your current role or future goals.
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Plan Ahead: Don’t wait until the end of the registration year. Spread your CPD over the months to reduce pressure.
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