Accredited by the Australian Human Resources Institute
#2 business school in Victoria for career impact
#1 Victorian university for business course satisfaction
Why choose human resource management at Deakin
This course meets the needs of senior management whose duties require them to take on responsibilities in human resources development and management.
Accredited by the Australian Human Resources Institute, this is a specialised course designed to provide enhance qualifications for graduates in business, government and industry.
Human resource management is no longer regarded as the sole responsibility of a special department. An understanding of HR management is now generally a requirement of managers throughout organisations.
This course offers specialist units in change management, employee relations, business strategy and analysis, together with elective study options from the key business disciplines of marketing, management, accounting, economics, finance and information systems.
This human resource management course will help enhance your existing employment experience in the field of human resources, enabling you to progress to managerial-level positions in human resources.
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Top-ranked business school
Study a Master of Human Resource Management at a top 3 business school in Victoria with strong career outcomes.
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Degrees shaped by employers
Study an industry-informed curriculum aligned with current workplace trends and people management practice.
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Rewarding learning
Choose a business school ranked #1 in Victoria for postgraduate course satisfaction in business and management and #2 for career impact.
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Flexible postgraduate study
Fit study into your busy life with Deakin’s premium online learning and complement your HR learning with a range of business specialisations.
Connected to industry
Our industry connections shape your learning so that your skills and knowledge are relevant, future-ready, and meet professional standards. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build advanced strategic capability, preparing you for senior HR leadership roles across complex, evolving organisations.
Human resources manager
Lead an organisation's HR function, overseeing recruitment, performance, employee relations and workforce planning to support strategic business goals.
- $130k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 16.3%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.1/5
Job satisfaction
People and culture manager
Lead an organisation's people strategy, shaping culture, engagement and workforce planning to support a positive, high-performing workplace.
- $150k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 11.3%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.1/5
Job satisfaction
Other jobs
- Human resource business partner
- Talent acquisition manager
- Learning and development manager
- Diversity and inclusion manager
- Organisational development consultant
“I was able to take what I was learning back into my job and make a difference for my organisation right away. The course makes real connections between the assessment tasks and the real world of your work, and between the practice of HRM and the business of your organisation.”
JoshMaster of Human Resource Management
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
Yes. Human resources is a rewarding and versatile career that plays a vital role in helping organisations attract, develop and retain talent. As workplaces continue to evolve, HR professionals are increasingly sought after to lead workforce planning, employee engagement, organisational change and people strategy initiatives. The course is professionally accredited by the Australian HR Institute (AHRI), helping ensure your skills align with industry standards and employer expectations.
Yes. The Master of Human Resource Management can be fast-tracked from 1.5 years to one year (8 credit points) through recognition of prior learning (RPL) for relevant postgraduate qualifications in a related field. If you've completed the AHRI Practising Certification (APC) Program, you may qualify for up to four credit points of RPL. Check the entry requirements on the course page for full details.
Yes, a Master of Human Resource Management can be valuable if you want to move into HR advisory, people and culture, recruitment, workforce planning or organisational development roles. Deakin’s course develops employment relations, people analytics, organisational behaviour and strategic HR capability, supporting professional pathways across many sectors.
Deakin's Master of Human Resource Management develops skills in employment relations, workforce planning, recruitment, organisational behaviour, people analytics, change and strategic HR.
*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 Master of Human Resource Management?
This course builds your expertise in managing people, culture and organisational performance, combining strategic HR knowledge with practical business skills.
Reinforce HR strategy with business foundations
Understand strategic HR practice
Learn how people strategies align with organisational goals, supporting performance, culture and long-term success.
Develop workforce and people insights
Explore staffing, workforce capability and workplace relations in contemporary and evolving work environments.
Build analytical and business capability
Strengthen your skills in decision-making and people analytics to support evidence-based HR practice.
Advance and apply your expertise
Tailor your learning
Choose a specialisation that complements your HR focus or align your studies with leadership or consulting pathways.
Apply your learning in professional contexts
Build the confidence and capability to lead people and contribute to organisational outcomes.
Explore change and future of work
Complete your studies with a final-year capstone project examining how organisations manage transformation, new ways of working and emerging workforce trends.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Human Resource Management, students must attain a total of 12 credit points, consisting of 11 credit points of core units and a one credit point elective unit which may be selected from any Business and Law postgraduate unit. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point.
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
Professional recognition
The Master of Human Resource Management is accredited by the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI). Graduates may be eligible for entry into the AHRI Practising Certification (APC) Program.
What to expect while studying
As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, 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.
Please note:
*Students commencing in Trimester 3 can only undertake the elective unit(s).
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 | Integrate advanced understanding of a contemporary body of knowledge in human resource management to operate as a skilled HR professional in business. |
| Communication | Select and apply advanced appropriate communication skills within the context of human resource management. |
| Digital literacy | Select and apply appropriate digital technologies to identify and disseminate complex information, concepts and theories in human resource management. |
| Critical thinking | Review, critically analyse, consolidate and synthesize human resource related knowledge to respond to specialised and authentic contexts encountered by human resource professionals. |
| Problem solving | Relate and develop advanced problem solving skills necessary to conceptualise and solve human resource issues in the workplace. |
| Self-management | Employ a range of advanced skills in undertaking independent learning in human resource management. |
| Teamwork | Apply team working skills in addressing human resource issues in the contemporary workplace. |
| Global citizenship | Evaluate emerging global human resource issues as they effect organisations. |
| Approved by Faculty Board October 2014 |
- Award granted
- Master of Human Resource Management
- Year
- 2016 course information
- Deakin code
- M782
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$25,000
- Full-fee paying place
Estimated tuition fee - (CSP) ?Enrolling in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) means the Australian Government pays part of your course fees directly to Deakin, and you pay a 'student contribution'.
Not applicable
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
Under the present legislation, a Commonwealth supported place is one for which the University receives some Government funding. Students enrolled in these places are required to contribute part of their course costs. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your study.
The Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) indicative course fee shown in the table above is provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2015, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking full-time study within the specified discipline. The actual fees charged by Deakin University, will depend on the individual unit discipline and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2016 can be viewed from the Unit Search.
Full-fee paying place
A full-fee paying place is one which the University does not receive any Government funding. Students enrolled in these places contribute the full cost of their course. Domestic full-fee paying places are available to Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of a permanent visa.
The actual course fee charged by Deakin University, is based on the course and the study load being undertaken. The annual fee above is based on eight credit points (which equals one Equivalent Full Time Study Load - EFTSL). If your study load for the year is less than or more than eight credit points, your fees will be adjusted accordingly. The credit point and EFTSL value of each unit can be viewed by looking up your units in the Handbook Unit Search. To calculate the fee for each unit, take the applicable course fee above, divide it by eight, then multiply it by the credit point of the unit you are studying.
Fee information for all domestic students
The fees per course/unit/credit point may be otherwise subject to an annual increase due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
This information is provided as a guide only. No representation is made that the information provided is current or accurate. Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on indicative course fee to calculate the total future cost of their course. Applicants can email enquire@deakin.edu.au for more information about 2016 fees.
Study load
Eight credit points is considered a standard full time load for one year, which equals one Equivalent Full Time Study Load - EFTSL. The annual fee displayed for this course is based on eight credit points.
Fee payment assistance
Australian citizens or holders of a permanent humanitarian visa, enrolling in a CSP or full-fee paying place, may be eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP respectively. For more information about HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP visit the Study Assist website.
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
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Credit for Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.