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CPD Resources Hub

CPD resources for nurses in Australia

Meeting your CPD requirements shouldn't be another thing to stress about. Whether you need your 20 hours before your registration renewal, you're chasing a specialty certification, or you just want to know what actually counts, we've pulled together everything nurses across Australia need to stay compliant, confident, and audit-ready.
With over 45 years supporting Australia's nursing workforce, we know CPD isn't just a box to tick. It's how you grow. Explore the resources below, and if you're ready for what's next in your career, we're here for that too.

What is CPD?

Continuing Professional Development, or CPD, is the ongoing learning nurses and midwives complete each year to keep their clinical knowledge and skills current. It's a registration standard set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), not just a Nursing Australia thing, so it applies wherever you work.
CPD can take a lot of forms: short online modules, workshops, conferences, structured reading, mentoring, or hands-on training, as long as it's relevant to your scope of practice and you can show evidence of it afterwards. Most nurses and midwives need a minimum of 20 hours a year, with different rules for dual registration and endorsed practice.
For the full breakdown, including exactly how many hours apply to you, what counts as evidence, and what happens if you're audited, read our complete guide.

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What you'll find here

CPD courses & training

Free and low-cost accredited courses and structured training programs to help you hit your annual hours, from short online modules to in-depth workshops.

CPD certifications by nursing specialisation

Looking to formalise your expertise in ICU, aged care, mental health, midwifery or another specialty? Find out what's available and how it counts toward your CPD.

CPD webinars & events

Live and on-demand sessions from trusted providers, plus a running calendar of upcoming webinars and events relevant to your practice.

CPD requirements explained

Not sure how many hours you need, what counts, or what happens if you're audited? This is your plain-English guide to NMBA's CPD standard.

How CPD works for nurses in Australia, in 4 steps

1. Identify what your role requires (20 hours minimum, more for endorsed roles)

2. Plan a mix of courses, webinars or workshops relevant to your practice

3. Complete & reflect — keep certificates and short reflection notes

4. Record & keep evidence for at least 5 years, in case you're audited

Why CPD matters (for you, not just your registration)

CPD is a registration standard set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) — but it's also one of the few professional development benefits that's genuinely in your hands. The right CPD can open doors to new specialties, stronger clinical confidence, and better-paying roles.
Wherever your CPD is taking you, see what's available right now with Nursing Australia.

Read more about the CPD resources on our blog

Frequently asked questions

The NMBA requires all practising nurses and midwives to complete a minimum of 20 hours of CPD each registration year. Nurses with dual registration need 20 hours for each profession, and those with prescribing endorsements need an additional 10 hours.

Yes. Free CPD courses, webinars and online modules count toward your annual requirement as long as they're relevant to your scope of practice and align with NMBA standards. Keep your certificates and reflection notes as evidence.

The NMBA conducts random audits each year. If selected, you'll need to provide evidence of your completed CPD hours, including your CPD plan, activities undertaken, and reflections. Records should be kept for at least 5 years.

Yes — live and recorded webinars from accredited providers count toward your CPD hours, provided you keep a certificate of completion and a short reflection on how it applies to your practice

Still building your CPD plan or ready for your next role?

Nursing Australia supports nurses at every stage, from your first shift to your next specialty. Explore flexible roles across hospitals, aged care, disability support and community care nationwide.