Charles Darwin University
Graduate Diploma of Public Health
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
- Course Type: Graduate Diploma
Develop advanced public health knowledge through postgraduate study, building skills in epidemiology, biostatistics, research and evidence-based public health practice to address population health challenges.
Course overview
The Graduate Diploma of Public Health from Charles Darwin University is a postgraduate qualification designed to develop advanced knowledge and skills in public health. Delivered full-time or part-time through on-campus study, the course prepares students to investigate, analyse and respond to population health challenges in local and global contexts while learning from educators at the Menzies School of Health Research.
You will develop advanced knowledge and skills in:
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Quantitative and qualitative research methods.
You will learn to analyse and interpret population health information, evaluate and design public health interventions and formulate strategies to address complex health and social issues.
The curriculum explores evidence-based public health practice across:
- Health Promotion
- Disease Control
- Health Systems
- Health Policy
- Decision making
- The Environment
- The Sustainable Development Goals.
The course provides a pathway to the Master of Public Health, with the option to undertake a supervised research project.
Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities across government and non-government organisations (NGOs) in public health practice, health research, health policy and planning, epidemiology, communicable and chronic disease control, community development and aid work.
This course requires a high level of academic reading and writing. The University's academic support services are available if needed.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Diploma of Public Health, you must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 10 credit points.
Compulsory Core units totalling 40 credit points as detailed below:
- Indigenous Health
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Qualitative Research
Entry requirements
Applicants for this course must meet all of the following:
- Successful completion of a recognised bachelor's degree, graduate diploma, master's degree or equivalent international qualification.
- Registered nurses who are graduates of a hospital-based program are also eligible for entry.
Consideration will be given to applicants who hold a graduate certificate.
English language requirements
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidence of one of the following:
- Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language.
- Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years.
- Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5 FTE (40 credit points).
- Successfully completing a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia.
- Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement.
- Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores.
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in non-government organisations (NGO) and government sectors in areas such as:
- Health research
- Professional health practice
- Health policy and planning
- Epidemiology
- Communicable and chronic disease control
- Community development and aid work.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated total fee in 2026: $9,536 (Commonwealth Supported Places).
Estimated total fee in 2026: $29,176 (domestic full-fee paying place).
Estimated fees are determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
- Depending on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.