#1 Melbourne university for course satisfaction
#1 Melbourne university for science facilities
Top 100 worldwide for sustainability
Why choose sustainability at Deakin
Humanity is placing increasing pressure on the environment through growing consumption, resource use, and the increased degradation of natural capital. Issues of sustainability are complex, and there is a growing need for skilled professionals capable of developing cost-effective and targeted solutions to secure a better future.
In the Graduate Certificate of Sustainability, you will build a solid understanding of issues in sustainability, environmental science and global change.
You will develop tools to measure and report on complex sustainability challenges and identify solutions that balance environmental, social and economic considerations. Gain a world-class degree from a university ranked in the top 100 globally for sustainability and kick-start your career making a positive impact on the world.
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Degrees shaped by employers
Undertake research aligned with current environmental challenges and informed by industry practice.
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Flexible postgraduate pathway
Build specialised sustainability knowledge in a short course that can lead into further postgraduate study.
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Interdisciplinary sustainability focus
Explore environmental, social and economic systems to understand complex sustainability issues.
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Apply sustainability in practice
Develop skills to embed sustainable thinking into decision-making across diverse professional contexts.
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.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build specialised sustainability knowledge to help organisations address complex environmental, social and economic challenges. Develop practical solutions that support better decision-making across diverse sectors.
Sustainability officer
Evaluate community needs and environmental impacts, and develop programs that support more sustainable practices. Work with stakeholders to deliver projects and recommend ways to reduce negative impacts.
- $100k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 24%
Net growth in Australia by 2030
Environmental consultant
Assess environmental impacts and provide advice to help organisations manage environmental risks and meet regulatory requirements. Develop practical solutions that support more sustainable projects and operations.
- $90k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 8.9%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.7/5
Job satisfaction
Workplace settings
- Government
- Non-government organisations
- Private sector
FAQs
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 Sustainability?
The Graduate Certificate of Sustainability is a one-year part-time or equivalent course. You will build foundational knowledge in sustainability while exploring how environmental, social and economic systems interact.
Foundations in sustainability thinking
Explore sustainability principles and systems
Learn how environmental, social and economic systems connect and influence sustainable outcomes.
Understand global sustainability challenges
Examine issues such as climate change, resource use and environmental management.
Apply sustainability in professional contexts
Develop skills to integrate sustainable thinking into decision-making and practice.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Sustainability, you must pass 4 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester.
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
You are required to complete two core units (these are essential units for this degree)
In your first trimester you must also complete two 0-credit point units which are compulsory for this degree.
Year 1
Plus one unit from:
^ Students undertaking this unit must have successfully completed STP710 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point)
You must choose two course elective units from the list.
Students intending to articulate into the Graduate Diploma or Master of Sustainability are recommended to choose their course elective units from within the same specialisation.
Sustainability Fundamentals
Environmental Management
Health and Environment
Sustainable Regional Development
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.
It is important to note that some elective units may include compulsory placement, study tours, work-based training or collaborative research training arrangements.
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.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin 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 |
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| Demonstrate specialist knowledge of natural and social sciences related to sustainability, environmental management, health and environment and sustainable regional development. |
| Present a reasoned argument that highlights essential details of sustainability, environmental management and sustainable regional development, theory and application, key observations, results and conclusions of scientific research in a professional manner using appropriate style, language and references including local, national, and international contributions or contexts. Apply listening skills and effective communication skills to accommodate, encourage and answer questions from a range of audience and to defend research/project findings and sustainability implementation propositions. Interpret the boundaries or limits of social and scientific information, data, discuss error, probability, uncertainty, conclusions and arguments to justify theoretical propositions, methodologies, methods, techniques, conclusions and professional decisions. |
| Use well-developed technical skills, judgement and responsibility to independently locate, analyse, evaluate the merits of, synthesise and disseminate sustainability data, information and literature in the planning and implementation of projects to a range of stakeholders in sustainability, environmental management and sustainable regional development. |
| Appraise complex social, economic and scientific methodologies and information from a broad range of interdisciplinary sources using critical, analytical and logical reasoning from multiple perspectives for evaluating and providing solutions to sustainability issues that incorporate the holistic principles. |
| Demonstrate complex problem-solving skills by identifying and creating solutions to real world sustainability through social, economic and/or scientific inquiry. |
| Apply principles of sustainability and environmental management knowledge and skills with a high level of autonomy, judgement, responsibility and accountability in collaboration with the supervisor to articulate the place and importance of social and scientific inquiry in the local and global context. |
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Sustainability
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- S527
- 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
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Apply directly through StudyLink Connect. Depending on your location, you may need to apply through a Deakin Authorised Agent, who can support and submit your application.
See our guide to applying to Deakin for application steps and requirements.
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
Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate of Sustainability you could use the credit points you’ve earned to enter into further study, including:
Graduate Diploma of Sustainability (S627)
Master of Sustainability (S727)
Master of Sustainability (Professional) (S728)