#36 in the world for public health
Flexible online and on-campus study
#1 Victorian university for health student support
Why choose health promotion at Deakin
Develop the skills to design, deliver and evaluate health promotion initiatives with Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Health Promotion. Build capability in program planning, communication and evaluation to address the underlying causes of poor health and drive positive change through prevention.
You will gain a strong understanding of how social, environmental and behavioural factors influence health, while developing the ability to apply evidence in professional contexts. Study areas include health communication, program planning, evaluation and health equity, giving you the skills to design initiatives that support healthier communities. Ranked #36 in the world for public health, Deakin offers a supportive learning environment to help you build skills that can be applied across a range of health and community settings, from local programs to broader population health initiatives and roles across government, community and not-for-profit sectors.
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Highly ranked for public health
Deakin is ranked #36 in the world for public health, giving your qualification strong global recognition.
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Develop applied health promotion skills
Build practical capability in program planning, communication and evaluation to design and deliver effective health initiatives.
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Industry-led learning and research
Learn from academics engaged in health promotion research, with course content shaped by current industry practice.
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Supportive learning environment
Study at the #1 Victorian university for health student support, with access to expert academics and a collaborative learning environment.
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
Develop the skills to plan, deliver and evaluate health promotion initiatives that improve health and wellbeing across government, healthcare, community and non-government organisations.
Health promotion officer
Develop, coordinate and evaluate health promotion programs that address community health priorities, improve wellbeing and support positive health outcomes.
- $93k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 4.8/5
Job satisfaction
Organisations you may work for
- National and international health organisations
- Community organisations
- Human services agencies
- Local, state and federal government
- Non-government organisations
- Businesses and corporations
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*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 Diploma of Health Promotion?
Develop practical skills to design, deliver and evaluate health promotion initiatives, with a focus on improving health outcomes through evidence-based strategies, communication and program planning, with the option to continue your studies at masters level.
Build and apply health promotion capability
Understand health and behaviour
Learn how social, environmental and behavioural factors influence health, with a focus on prevention, equity and community wellbeing.
Design health promotion initiatives
Build your ability to plan and deliver programs, including needs assessment, communication and community engagement.
Evaluate and improve outcomes
Develop research skills to assess impact and strengthen health promotion practice, with the opportunity to explore a topic of interest through an elective.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Health Promotion, you must pass 8 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
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
Plus one elective credit point
Trimester 2
Plus
1 credit point of course elective unit chosen from:
*Students wishing to continue their studies into the Master of Health Promotion and complete a minor or major project option are recommended to complete course elective unit HSH753 Research Methods in Health and Social Development.
Professional recognition
Graduates in this course should be eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA) and the International Union of Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE).
Note: All information regarding professional recognition is accurate at the date of publication. Enquiries regarding accreditation and professional membership should be directed to the School of Health and Social Development in order to ascertain the current status of accreditation at any future point in time beyond publication. Representations about accreditation apply only to the course, and the relevant professional body retains discretion as to who they admit as members of their association. Deakin University cannot exercise any control over membership of an external body.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
As a student 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 on-line 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.
Students will undertake work integrated assessment tasks in several core and elective units.
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.
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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| Apply a critical and advanced knowledge in the area of health promotion that includes: theories of behaviour change, inequalities and inequities in health including the concept of the social gradient and relevance to practice, the action areas for health promotion, as well as the determinants of health. the behavioural and socio-environmental models of health and their relevance to health promotion practice in general and needs assessment in particular. stages of program planning, implementation, evaluation and sustainability. |
| Communicate on health promotion issues in an effective and coherent manner and mindful of the target audience. Articulate the various ways in which health promotion practice is influenced, such as, ethnicity and Indigenous status, age, gender, society, culture, geography, the environment and socio-economic status. |
| Demonstrate understanding of current technologies and digital literacies applicable to health promotion. Utilise a range of digital technologies and information sources to discover, select, analyse, employ, evaluate, and disseminate both technical and non-technical information. |
| Demonstrate critical thinking in evaluating solutions to health promotion problems. Access and critically analyse information drawn from a variety of sources. Critically reflect on the impact of inequalities and social disadvantage on the health of individuals and communities. |
| Apply theoretical constructs and critical analysis to real-world and ill-defined problems and develop innovative health promotion solutions with creativity. Analyse and develop strategies to promote health. Assess the health status of communities and evaluate intervention processes and outcomes using appropriate analytical and research methods. |
| Apply knowledge and skills in creative ways to new situations in professional practice and/or further learning in the field of health promotion with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility and personal accountability for actions as a practitioner and a learner. Reflect upon and critique skills developed and plan for their own future continuing professional development. |
| Apply teamwork, leadership and management skills and principles to work effectively in a team environment and with others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. |
| Apply the highest ethical standards in the development, design, construction and management of health promotion programs and activities. |
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Health Promotion
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H615
- 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
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$30,600
for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical full-time enrolment of 8 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. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer all or part of your tuition fees.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
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.
In this course, students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. Please note that postgraduate unit credits will not be given based on completion of undergraduate units or if the postgraduate studies were completed over 10 years from when you apply into this course. You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Pathways
Students completing the Graduate Diploma of Health Promotion can articulate into a higher award, the Master of Health Promotion (H759)