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Deakin University

Graduate Diploma of Health Management Online

  • Delivery: Online
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Diploma

Strengthen your ability to manage healthcare services, people and resources while using economic, operational and digital insights to support better organisational decisions.

Course overview

Prepare to take greater responsibility for how healthcare services are planned, managed and improved. Deakin University’s Graduate Diploma of Health Management develops the leadership and analytical capabilities needed to respond to operational challenges and contribute to more effective service delivery.

You will examine how public health principles, economic decision-making and digital technologies influence contemporary healthcare organisations. Your studies will help you evaluate evidence, consider the allocation of limited resources and approach management decisions with a clearer understanding of their organisational and community impact.

The course allows you to develop your research capabilities and choose between a focus on healthcare operations or leadership. Further electives covering areas such as economic evaluation, resource allocation, health law and ethics or human resource management enable you to broaden your management expertise.

Delivered online, the course can be completed in one year full-time or the part-time equivalent. Accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Management, it may support progression towards management and leadership responsibilities across healthcare settings. The qualification also provides a pathway to Deakin University’s Master of Health Management.

Key facts

Delivery
Online
Course Type
Graduate Diploma
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
12 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $3,825
More Information
The estimated fee is determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
Intake
February, 2027
June, 2027
Units
More Information
You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
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Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
FEE-HELP

What you will study

To earn the Graduate Diploma of Health Management, you must successfully complete units totalling 8 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 1 credit point.

Core units

  • Principles and Practice of Public Health
  • Health Economics 1
  • Fundamentals of Digital Health

Research Elective units

Select one credit point from the following:

  • Research Literacy
  • Research Methods in Health and Social Development

Students intending to progress to the Master of Health Management and pursue a minor or major research project are recommended to complete Research Methods in Health and Social Development.

Management Elective units

Select one credit point from the following:

  • Healthcare Operations
  • Foundations in Leadership

Electives

Select three credit points from the following:

  • Economic Evaluation 1
  • Resource Allocation and Priority Setting
  • Health Law and Ethics
  • Human Resource Management

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

To be eligible for this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • Hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
  • Have at least two years of relevant work experience or the part-time equivalent.

Relevant experience may include work as a health support worker or assistant, in aged care or disability services and support or as an allied health science professional.

Selection also considers academic history, work and life experience and individual circumstances. Meeting the minimum academic and English language requirements does not guarantee admission.

English language requirements

Applicants must provide evidence of at least one of the following:

  • A bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country.
  • An IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no band score below 6.0, or an accepted equivalent.
  • Other accepted evidence of English-language proficiency.

Contact the university for further 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

Learning outcomes

  • Apply knowledge and skills in the selected health and human services management stream that demonstrate creativity and initiative, evidenced by completing a capstone assessment task.
  • Demonstrate communication skills to interpret, articulate and transmit information and interact professionally with clients and colleagues in a health and human services context.
  • Independently selects and uses appropriate digital tools to disseminate accurate information.
  • Consistently demonstrates critical reflection and analysis in evaluating theory and processes.
  • Consistently identify multiple approaches to solving complex problems, demonstrating high intellectual independence and autonomy.
  • Consistently and autonomously demonstrate responsibility and accountability for professional development, including self-management.
  • Contribute and work effectively within a team environment, demonstrating awareness of and sensitivity to team members' differences.
  • Consistently and sensitively adapt practices to meet the cultural, ethnic, religious, social and political backgrounds of all stakeholders.

Career outcomes

Graduates may pursue future management and leadership responsibilities across:

  • Public health departments
  • Hospitals
  • Nursing homes
  • Clinics
  • Medical practices
  • Mental health organisations
  • Community health centres
  • Rehabilitation centres
  • Skilled nursing facilities

The course is accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Management. Graduates may apply for membership with the professional body, subject to meeting its applicable requirements.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative annual fee in 2027: $30,600 (Full-fee paying place)

Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

  • The number of units studied.
  • 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.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.