Key facts
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
The health sector is Australia’s largest employer, providing jobs to over 2.1 million people or about 8% of the population.* Gain the leadership, analytical and managerial skills needed to influence positive change in healthcare systems with the Graduate Diploma of Health Management. Set yourself up for senior roles in the health sector and use your platform to improve healthcare delivery and contribute to healthier communities.
Want to help effect positive change in healthcare and really make a difference?
As one of the most well-funded sectors in Australia,^ healthcare professionals are responsible for oversight of the billions of taxpayer dollars that fund it. That is a significant responsibility, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to make positive changes that benefit individuals, communities and countries. With a Graduate Diploma of Health Management, you will have a significant role to play not just in the allocation of precious resources, but also in the way healthcare organisations operate, evolve and deliver health services into the future.
The course is about more than just applying business and management skills in a health context. It explores what best practice looks like in the complex world of health services management. Everything you learn – and the way you learn – prepares you to navigate the exact challenges faced by health and human services professionals today.
During your Graduate Diploma of Health Management you will complete eight credit points of study comprising 3 core units and 5 elective units. You will have the opportunity to select from a range of elective units on topics like resource allocation and priority setting, healthcare operations, human resource management and more.
You’ll develop core skills that allow you to make evidence-based decisions that improve the quality of health services. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Health Management you will have the option of enhancing your skills by continuing on to the Master of Health Management and will have already completed half of the credit points from the masters course.
* ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, February 2023, seasonally adjusted
^ Australian Government, Budget Strategy and Outlook: Budget Paper No. 1: 2020–21, Statement 6: Expenses and Net Capital Investment, p. 6-49 and Australian Government, Final Budget Outcome 2019-20, p. 12.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Health Management
- Year
2024 course information
- Deakin code
- H656
- CRICOS code?
- 114206E Burwood (Melbourne)
- 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
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Health Management students must attain 8 credit points, which consist of four core units and four elective units selected from lists in the course structure.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Core units
Core units
Plus one of:
Plus three of:
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2024 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2024 should refer to previous online Handbooks or consult a Student Adviser at Student Central.
Additional course information
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
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 to the relevant unit guide.
Workload
In the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic 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
- at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each component of test
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
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 and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course in the same year 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 eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight 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 tuition fees.
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
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Entry pathways
Alternative exits
Careers
Career outcomes
The healthcare sector is projected to be Australia’s biggest and fastest-growing sector over the next five years, with roles for Health and Welfare Services Managers expected to grow to by 26.5%.* With a Graduate Diploma of Health Management, you will have an important role to play in managing the new projects, services and jobs that emerge from this growth.
Your skills will help prepare you for future management and leadership roles across a variety of areas including:
- public health departments
- hospital management
- nursing home management
- clinic management
- medical practices
- mental health organisations
- community health centres
- rehabilitation centres
- skilled nursing facilities
* 2021 Employment Projections – for the five years to 2026, Jobs and Skills Australia
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 | Application of knowledge and skills in the selected stream of health and human services management that demonstrates creativity and initiative, evidenced through successful completion of a capstone assessment task. |
| Communication | Demonstrate communication skills to interpret, articulate and transmit information and interact professionally with clients and colleagues in a health and human services context. |
| Digital literacy | Independently select and uses appropriate digital tools to disseminate accurate information. |
| Critical thinking | Consistently demonstrates critical reflection and analysis in evaluating theory and processes. |
| Problem Solving | Consistently identify multiple approaches to solving complex problems, demonstrating a high level of intellectual independence and autonomy. |
| Self-management | Consistently and autonomously demonstrate responsibility and accountability for professional development including self-management. |
| Teamwork | Contribute and work effectively within a team environment demonstrating awareness of, and sensitivity to, difference amongst team members. |
| Global citizenship | Consistently and sensitively adapt practices to meet the cultural, ethnic, religious, social and political backgrounds of all stakeholders. |
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