International

Graduate Certificate of Health Economics

Learn from one of Australia’s leading health economics teams

I am an international student ?International students are students who intend to study, or are currently studying, in Australia and are temporary residents of Australia, permanent residents of New Zealand, or residents or citizens of any other country.
Domestic International
I am an international student ?International students are students who intend to study, or are currently studying, in Australia and are temporary residents of Australia, permanent residents of New Zealand, or residents or citizens of any other country.
Domestic International
English requirements 6.5 IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each component of test View entry requirements
Academic requirements Course-specific academic requirements apply.
Campus
  • Online
Duration 1 year part-time
Intakes Trimesters 1, 2, 3 View how to apply
Fees $15,300 AUD View fees and scholarships

Study this course fully online

Learn from one of Australia’s leading health economics teams

Top 5 provider in Australia for health degrees

Why choose health economics at Deakin

Build foundational skills in health economics with Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Health Economics. Develop the ability to apply economic principles and evidence to support decision-making in healthcare systems and policy.

You will explore key areas including economic evaluation, resource allocation and priority setting, while developing the analytical skills to assess healthcare interventions and inform policy decisions. Study core units from Deakin’s Master of Health Economics and learn from one of the largest health economics teams in Australia, with course content shaped by active research and industry practice. Designed for busy professionals, the course can be completed in one year of part-time study, with flexible online and on-campus study options for domestic students and fully online study for international students. It also provides a pathway to further study in the Master of Health Economics.

  • Develop practical economics skills

    Build capability in economic evaluation, resource allocation and priority setting to support evidence-based healthcare decisions.

  • Learn from leading experts

    Study with one of Australia’s leading health economics teams, with course content informed by active research and industry practice.

  • Flexible study designed for professionals

    Complete the course in one year of part-time study through flexible online study designed to fit around your commitments.

  • Pathway to further study

    Study core units from the Master of Health Economics and continue building your expertise through further postgraduate study.

Connected to industry

Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.

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Open doors with a Deakin scholarship

Study with certainty at Deakin. Our international scholarships recognise excellence and empower you to thrive by reducing the cost of studying abroad.

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Deakin puts employability first

Career outcomes

Develop practical skills in economic evaluation, resource allocation and priority setting, and learn to make evidence-based decisions that improve healthcare. Use the graduate certificate to enhance your current role or take your first step towards a career in health economics.

Policy adviser

Use health economics principles and evidence to help inform health policy and planning. Analyse costs, outcomes and priorities to support better decisions across government, healthcare and community organisations.

  • $115k

    Typical annual salary in Australia

  • 4.6/5

    Job satisfaction

Industries you may work in

  • Government and public policy
  • Pharmaceutical and health technology industries
  • International health organisations such as the WHO, UNDP and the World Bank Group
  • Non-government agencies, research institutes and think tanks
  • Corporate consulting firms
  • Health insurance

FAQs

Find answers to the most common questions about this course.

The cost of studying at Deakin depends on your degree, units and study load – tuition fees are listed on degree pages under the fees and scholarships tab. Beyond tuition, you will need to budget for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), accommodation, transport, groceries and textbooks. Find out more about the cost of living in Australia, use the Study Australia calculator to estimate living expenses and explore international scholarships which may help to reduce your tuition costs.

Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your postgraduate tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.

It depends on the degree and how you study. Graduate certificates typically take six months full time or one year part time. Graduate diplomas usually take one year full time and masters degrees typically take one to two years full time. Recognition of prior learning can reduce your study time. Check the degree page for full details.

Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.

We value your experience and qualifications. That is why every new degree application at Deakin is assessed for recognition of prior learning (RPL). Through RPL, Deakin can assess your previous study and life experience and may award course credit that could reduce your study duration, as well as the cost of your study. Qualifications from universities and private tertiary institutions worldwide are considered, as is informal learning related to your degree. Use the RPL calculator to see how much credit you may be eligible for.

Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.

To enrol in a postgraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores, so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.

Deakin’s postgraduate degrees are designed to advance your career, whether you want to deepen expertise in your field, move into a specialist role or shift direction entirely.  All our degrees are shaped by industry partners, so what you learn reflects what employers need now and into the future. We’re proud to be the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. With flexible study options and financial support available, Deakin helps you gain the skills, recognition and confidence to reach your next professional goal.

*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.

What will I study in the Graduate Certificate of Health Economics?

Build foundational knowledge and analytical skills in health economics, focusing on how economic evidence informs healthcare decision-making and policy, with the option to continue your studies at masters level.

Build core health economics capability

Understand health economics principles

Learn how economic concepts, evaluation, resource allocation and priority setting influence healthcare systems and policy decisions.

Develop analytical skills

Build your ability to interpret evidence and assess the value and impact of healthcare interventions.

Tailor your studies

Choose electives in global heath economics, economic evaluation or business to align your studies with your interests and career goals.

This learning journey is intended as a guide only. Individual study journeys may vary.

Course structure

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Health Economics, you must pass 4 credit points.

Most units are equal to one credit point.

Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements

Units

Trimester 1

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
Health Economics 1
Economic Evaluation 1

Trimester 2

Resource Allocation and Priority Setting

Plus one elective unit from the following list:

Economic Evaluation - Theory and Practice
Health Economics in a Global Context
Economics for Managers

Professional recognition

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What to expect while studying

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a National Police Record Check, a Working with Children Check or other check. Refer the relevant unit guide.

150 hours of learning and assessment activities per Deakin credit point (as per AQF Explanation)

Full-time study in this course is equivalent to a full-time work commitment. Successful students typically spend about 150 hours in learning and assessment for each one credit point unit.

At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.

If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.

When can I start?

When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.

Explore important dates

Campus
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
Online

Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.

Course Learning Outcomes

Analyse the implications of healthcare service delivery from an economic perspective, including implications for efficiency and access.

Communicate health economic issues, including methods and results of economic appraisal, demand and supply of health care, socio-economic influences on health and the rationale for government intervention using written reports, oral presentation and digital communication technologies to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Locate and critically evaluate digital sources of health and health systems data to make health policy recommendations.

Critically evaluate applied economic frameworks used in health economics to analyse the effects of economic policies on health services and community health, with an emphasis on cost, outcomes, efficiency, and access to health care.

Independently analyse and propose solutions to contemporary health problems from an economic perspective.

Demonstrate effective self-management skills, autonomy and accountability that contribute to the development of lifelong learning and professionalism.

Collaborate and communicate effectively with others to complete tasks and solve problems.

Apply the principles of health economics and evidence-based economic evaluation to the strengthening of health systems, including universal coverage.

Award granted
Graduate Certificate of Health Economics
Year

2027 course information

Deakin code
H504
Level
Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Your academic history, work and life experience, and individual circumstances will be considered. Meeting the minimum academic and English language requirements does not guarantee admission, but alternative pathways may be available.

Entry requirements

To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • completion of a bachelor degree or higher
  • two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)

Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to: Health Outcomes Research, Health Technology Assessment, Allied Health, Health Services, Aged Care or Youth Services, Management, Commerce, Policy.

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

Get credit for your experience

We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

Fees

Estimated tuition fee

$15,300

AUD

The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical enrolment of 4 credit points undertaken within the same academic year and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.

Learn more about tuition fees for international students.

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Scholarships

Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.

Browse scholarships

Apply now

Apply directly to Deakin

Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.

We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.

Apply through StudyLink Connect

Recognition of prior learning

We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.

Pathways

Pathways for credit are available for this course

Students completing the Graduate Certificate of Health Economics can articulate into a higher award, Master of Health Economics (H704).

Graduates of the course may also be eligible for RPL (Recognition of prior learning) into the following courses:
Master of Public Health (H757)
Master of Health Promotion (H759)
Master of Health Management (H756)