Choose from six specialisations
120-hour placement in selected specialisations
#1 Victorian university for health student support
Why choose health management at Deakin
This course sets you on track for the next step in your health career toward management and leadership.
Learn to make evidence-based decisions that focus on improving the quality of health service delivery – a sector that has seen strong growth in recent years.
Deakin’s Master of Health and Human Services Management focuses on business and management issues within health, making it the most relevant business administration course for the health sector.
This course is particularly well suited to those interested in working in the health and human services sector as well as those who currently hold senior positions in the industry.
You will develop core skills required for leadership and strategic planning, health needs assessment and evaluation, program planning and monitoring, resource and project management, communication and negotiation.
This course offers enormous flexibility, allowing you to choose elective study options that align with your career aspirations and interest areas. Elective units can be chosen from specialty areas such as health economics, public health research and business administration.
There is also flexibility of choice between research and coursework, enabling you to construct a study program that best meets your interests and career aspirations.
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Accredited and industry recognised
This course is accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Management, supporting your professional recognition and career progression.
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Study while you work
Flexible online and on-campus options designed to fit around your professional commitments.
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Learn through industry and research
Benefit from applied learning and opportunities for work-integrated learning or international study experiences.
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Outstanding learning environment
Deakin is the #1 public university in Australia for facilities and resources, and the #1 Victorian university for student support in postgraduate health.
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 the leadership and management skills to lead healthcare services, teams and programs across hospitals, government, community health, aged care and other health and human services settings.
Health and welfare services manager
Lead health and welfare services, overseeing teams, budgets, programs and operations while developing strategies to improve service delivery, efficiency and health outcomes.
- $128k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 15.2%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Workplace settings
- Hospitals and health services
- Clinics and medical practices
- Community health services
- Aged care and residential care
- Mental health services
- Government health departments
“I wanted to know how health services are managed and how they can be improved. That's what led me to go into health management. I chose Deakin because of its unique course map and the wide range of specialisations to choose from.”
RadhikaMaster of Health Management
Stories that start here
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Download a course guide
Study at Deakin and be rewarded with new skills that will give you an edge in the job market
FAQs
Health services administration focuses on the planning, management and leadership of healthcare organisations and services. It involves overseeing operations, people, budgets, policies and quality improvement initiatives to support the delivery of effective healthcare. Deakin's Master of Health Management develops the leadership and management skills needed to help shape the future of healthcare and improve health outcomes for individuals and communities.
A Master of Health Management from Deakin can support roles in health service management, policy, planning, quality, operations and program leadership. Deakin’s Master of Health Management develops skills in health systems, leadership, management and evidence-informed decision-making capability – helping graduates work across hospitals, community health, government, non-governmental organisations and health-related organisations.
No, health service managers do not need to be registered health practitioners. While some health service managers begin their careers in clinical professions such as nursing, allied health or medicine, many come from business, management, policy, administration and other non-clinical backgrounds. Deakin's Master of Health Management is designed for both clinical and non-clinical professionals who want to develop the leadership, management and strategic skills needed to work in healthcare organisations.
In a Master of Health Management, you study health systems, leadership, planning, policy, quality and organisational management. Depending on the course structure, you may be able to shape your program through specialisations, electives or project work connected to health leadership, health systems, planning, finance and service improvement.
A Master of Health Management focuses on leading health services, operations, policy and systems, while a Master of Public Health focuses more on population health, prevention, epidemiology and health promotion. Choose health management for organisational leadership; choose public health for population-level health strategy and programs.
Related courses
*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.
Some courses have limited places, apply early to avoid missing out.
What will I study in the Master of Health Management?
The Master of Health Management prepares you to lead and manage health services. You will build expertise in healthcare systems, leadership and decision-making while tailoring your studies through specialisations and practical learning experiences.
Develop core health management knowledge
Understand healthcare systems
Learn how health systems operate, including policy, law and ethics, and how services are planned and delivered.
Develop management skills
Strengthen capabilities in leadership, human resource management, resource allocation and decision-making.
Build analytical capability
Interpret data and evaluate performance to inform planning and improve health service delivery.
Deepen expertise and lead practice
Tailor your specialisation
Choose from areas such as public health, health economics, business administration, disability and inclusion, sustainability in healthcare or research.
Apply your learning in practice
Complete work-integrated learning, consultancy, internship or international study opportunities, depending on your chosen specialisation.
Undertake research or projects
Develop research literacy or methods skills, with the option to complete a research project aligned to your career goals.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Health and Human Services Management students must attain 16 credit points. All units are equal to 1 credit point.
The course comprises 10 core units (these are compulsory) and 6 elective units (you can choose which ones to study from the options in the course structure).
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.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
This course structure applies to students commencing in 2018. Students that commenced in 2015, 2016 or 2017 should refer to previous handbooks. Students who commenced prior to 2015 should refer to the H746 Master of Health and Human Services Management course entry.
The MHHSM has three specialisations: Public health, Health Economics and Business Administration plus a Research Pathway. Students must choose one of the following four options
Option A: Public Health specialisation
Plus two units from:
Option B: Health Economics specialisation
Plus three units from:
Option C: Business Administration specialisation
Plus one unit from:
Plus two units from:
Option D: Research specialisation*
Students choosing this option must obtain approval from the course director
What to expect while studying
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a a National Police Record Check, a Working with Children Check at the comm or other check. Refer the relevant unit guide.
In the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, 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.
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.
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply a critical and advanced knowledge in the area of Health and Human Services Management including research and current professional practices in the areas of:
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| Communication | Communicate effectively with a range of individuals and groups, using a variety of modes and methods in a Health and Human Service context. |
| Digital Literacy | Select and use digital technologies to locate, evaluate and disseminate research to address complex health and human service management issues. |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate and synthesise complex information, problems, ideas, concepts and theories within a health and human services context. |
| Problem Solving | Apply creative strategies to address complex and ill-defined health and human services management problems. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate critically reflective self-management with relevant workloads, commitments and timeframes while displaying a commitment to ethical health and human services management practice and lifelong learning. |
| Teamwork | Interact collaboratively and constructively with a diverse range of people across multiple teams and contexts to achieve targeted health and human services management outcomes. |
| Global Citizenship | Demonstrate a critical awareness and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, religious, social and political issues in health and human service management contexts. |
- Award granted
- Master of Health and Human Services Management
- Year
- 2018 course information
- Deakin code
- H756
- Approval status
- This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
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 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
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.