Progressive, real-world learning. Online.
Key facts
Duration
1 year part time
Campuses
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2021 have closed
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
Start working in disability sooner or build on your current skills and experience with a Graduate Certificate of Disability and Inclusion. Complete your course in just one year, and graduate with a contemporary understanding of disability that prepares you for the exciting roles emerging within the sector.
Ready for a rewarding career in disability but not ready to commit to a masters degree?
Flexible online delivery and a short study duration make this course a popular choice for busy students looking to move up in the disability sector. Study four core units, which are consistent with core units from the Master of Disability and Inclusion, and feel confident about contributing to more inclusive, accessible communities once you graduate.
If, upon successful completion of the course, you want to dive deeper into disability and inclusion and build even more industry experience, you have the option of continuing your studies by articulating into Master of Disability and inclusion and completing eight more units including a major project. If you begin your masters and need to move on after completing four additional units on top of your Graduate Certificate, you can graduate with a Graduate Diploma in Disability and Inclusion.
The course is deeply connected to the disability industry, the organisations that work within it and the communities they serve. Many of our students have lived experience with disability – either their own or that of someone close to them. Our academics are embedded within the field, contributing to research of global significance. And our curriculum is responsive to developments in disability, adopting the values and policies of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the Australian context and other national policies. All of this adds up to a course that reflects exactly what it’s like to work in the evolving disability and inclusion sector.
The topics you’ll cover are informed by leading disability theory and practice. In fact, the curriculum has been carefully designed to meet the needs of a contemporary disability sector you’ll be working in once you graduate. For example, you’ll gain an expert understanding of what underpins good individualised planning – a key feature of the NDIS in Australia, and used internationally to uphold the rights of people with disabilities embedded in the UNCRPD.
Projects are anchored to developments and policies within the sector. You might be challenged to critically analyse recent updates to legislation. If you are currently working in disability, you also have the option of basing your assessment tasks on your current practice. This allows you to apply your skills to the work you care about and have an instant impact on the communities in which you are working.
A highlight of the course is building relationships with your fellow students and the academic team. Students in the Masters of Disability and Inclusion come from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, ensuring your learning experience is vibrant and engaging. Our academic staff are leading nationally and internationally recognised researchers, making them great mentors, as well as teachers. On top of that, our partnerships with key organisations such as the NDIS, the Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALID), Gen U in Geelong, Inclusion Melbourne, and other peak government and non-government disability organisations means the door will be open to professional networks and exciting employment opportunities. A constant connection to people with lived experience of disability makes your study experience richer and more relevant. It also allows you to see the world through the eyes of a person with a disability, giving you a real and valuable perspective on inclusion.
Read MoreCourse structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Disability and Inclusion students must attain 4 credit points. All four 1 credit point units are core units (these are compulsory).
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).
Core units
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Key information
2022 course information
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Campuses by intake
Campus availability varies per trimester. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Read more to learn where this course will be offered throughout the year.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
There are no mandatory student checks required for this course.
Workload
As a student in a Cloud (online) course in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 8-10 hours every week studying, interacting via CloudDeakin and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course.
Participation requirements
Not applicable
Work experience
Not applicable
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Entry requirements
Entry information
Entry will be based on performance in:
- Bachelor Degree or higher
OR
- two years relevant work experience or
OR
- evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent
OR
- Certificate IV in Disability with at least three years’ work experience in the disability sector
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Recognition of prior learning
Students may be eligible to apply for credit for this course.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course within the same year as they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by four credit points of study for Graduate Certificates. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
FEE-HELP calculator
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $46,620.
Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2021 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
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- $* is the estimated full cost for a Graduate Certificate of Disability and Inclusion (4 credit points), based on the 2021 fees.
- is the annual FEE-HELP payment, based on your current salary
- of your current salary be spent on FEE-HELP
*Disclaimer
Deakin University (Deakin):
- gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
- advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
- instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.
Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:
- does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
- does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 10% Deakin alumni discount);
- assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if recognition of prior learning is granted;
- assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
- assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
- where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
How to apply
Applications can be made directly to the University through the Deakin Application Portal. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the how to apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
To learn more about what the Graduate Certificate of Disability and Inclusion at Deakin has to offer, download our course flyer.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Entry pathways
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs.
Contact information
Prospective Student Enquiry Centre
1800 693 888
myfuture@deakin.edu.au
Careers
Career outcomes
The disability sector in Australia isn’t just growing, it’s evolving. According to an NDS report, the disability support workforce growth rate was 11.1% per year (between 2015-2017). This compares with growth of 1.6% for the entire Australian workforce at the time.* This means there are a range of positions being developed to support the continued implementation of the NDIS.
As a graduate of this course, you’ll be perfectly suited for jobs including roles in policy, practice leadership and research that have recently emerged as part of the full rollout of the NDIS in Australia.
In particular, the course was designed to align with areas of knowledge and skills identified current disability position descriptions. These include:
- knowledge of disability systems including disability research, legislation and policy
- high-level communication skills for working with people with disability and their families
- self-directed approaches to service planning
- community-capacity building knowledge and skills.
In addition to these roles, there are a huge range of areas within the sector you can explore once you graduate, such as:
- policy and legislation
- education
- health and human services
- community development
- roles within state and federal government, government agencies, community organisations and disability service providers.
* https://www.nds.org.au/images/workforce/ADWR_Third_Edition_July_2018.pdf
Professional recognition
Not applicable
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply advanced knowledge and skills in the area of Disability and Inclusion that includes theories of disability and social inclusion, including barriers and enablers to inclusion and the key conceptual models and policy underpinning inclusion of people with disability. |
| Communication | Communicate on disability and inclusion issues (e.g. barriers, enablers, policies) in an effective and coherent manner being mindful of the target audience. |
| Digital Literacy | Apply current technologies and demonstrate digital literacies applicable to disability and inclusion; and utilise a range of digital technologies and sources to find, select, use and disseminate relevant information. |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse information drawn from a variety of sources about barriers and enablers to inclusion, disability and inclusion theory, policy and practice. |
| Problem Solving | Analyse real-world issues relating to disability and inclusion to assess key barriers, and identify innovative and evidence based effective approaches to enabling inclusion for people with disability. |
| Self-management | Work and learn through independent and self-directed initiatives, reflecting on learning and apply new knowledge and skills in Disability and Inclusion. |
| Teamwork | Demonstrate effective teamwork skills to enable inclusion for people with disability. |
| Global Citizenship | Recognise and apply ethical approaches to disability research and practice, and show awareness and respect for diversity in line with contemporary human rights obligations. |
Webinar: Rewarding careers in disability and inclusion
Ready for a rewarding career in the health industry? Learn more about your study options and employment opportunities in the growing sector of disability and inclusion.