University of Notre Dame Australia
Graduate Certificate in Health Leadership Online
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Build practical health leadership skills through multimodal study, combining online masterclasses, peer coaching and a workplace innovation project, with a pathway to the Graduate Diploma and Master of Health Leadership and Education.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Health Leadership from The University of Notre Dame Australia is a postgraduate qualification designed for Australian health professionals who want to consolidate or further their leadership careers. Developed in partnership with the Department of Health, the interdisciplinary program introduces the core principles of leadership and management within the healthcare sector, with a focus on collaborative, values-driven and systems-oriented leadership.
You will complete four core courses in Contemporary Leadership in Health and Systems-focused Thinking while exploring management, governance, risk and contemporary leadership challenges in healthcare. Learning is delivered through weekly online masterclasses featuring academic and health industry speakers, supported by online learning modules. You will also participate in peer coaching and complete a workplace innovation project to apply your learning in a professional health setting.
On completion, you may continue your studies in the Graduate Diploma of Health Leadership and Education, with a pathway to the Master of Health Leadership and Education.
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 Certificate in Health Leadership, you must successfully complete units totalling 100 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 25 credit points.
Core units
- Contemporary Leadership in Health A
- Contemporary Leadership in Health B
- Systems-focused Thinking A
- Systems-focused Thinking B
Entry requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Health Leadership, applicants must meet one of the following specific requirements:
- As a minimum qualification, a recognised Bachelor's degree in a health profession.
- A Bachelor's degree in another (non-health) area with evidence of specific professional experience in health.
- Evidence of a senior management or leadership role in the health sector.
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
A Graduate Certificate in Health Leadership can lead to careers as a business administration manager, corporate services manager, health services manager, general manager, health promotion officer, health researcher, medical administrator or policy and planning manager.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Health Leadership, graduates will be able to:
- Effectively apply management and leadership theories underpinning work practice within the health context.
- Analyse contemporary issues within health professional leadership and their significant influence on management and leadership practice.
- Interpret governance and risk as applied to the work context in consideration of management and leadership roles and responsibilities.
- Employ critical reflection to encourage ongoing learning to maintain and improve professional knowledge and skills.
- Apply oral presentation and report writing skills and apply these for the dissemination of project findings.
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $2,368 (Commonwealth Supported Place).
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $15,000 (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.
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'll only need to pay a portion 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 the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
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 program.