University of Sydney
Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Understand key employment issues and respond to rapid changes reshaping local and international work practices.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations is specifically designed for those who have an undergraduate degree in another discipline or for applicants with no undergraduate degree but extensive practical experience in their specialist area, who are looking for a career in human resource management and industrial relations.
This course can advance your career in people management and enable you to progress to a graduate diploma or master’s qualification.
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
3rd August, 2026
What you will study
To qualify for the award, a candidate must complete 24 credit points or four units. Each unit is valued at six credit points.
- Six credit points of the foundation core unit of study.
- A minimum of six credit points of advanced core units of study.
- Any additional advanced core or elective units of study required to make 24 credit points in total.
Foundation core unit of study
- Foundations of HRM and IR
Advanced core units of study
- Emerging Challenges in Industrial Relations
- Human Resource Strategies
- HR Data Insights
Elective unit of study options
- Cross-Cultural Management
- Disruptions and Innovations in HR
- Employment and the Law
- Ethical International Business Decisions
- Industrial Relations Policy
- International Dimensions of HRM
- Leadership in Organisations
- Management Consulting
- Managing Communication in Organisations
- Managing Diversity and Inclusion at Work
- Organisational Analysis and Behaviour
- Organisational Change and Development
- Organisational Sustainability
- Performance and Rewards
- Strategic Management
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To be eligible for admission, an applicant is required to have:
- An Australian bachelor's degree or higher (or equivalent qualification) or appropriate qualifications and professional work experience in a relevant field (typically three years).
English language requirements
You may need to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study this course.
If English is your first language you may be able to meet the requirements if you have:
- Citizenship or permanent long-term residency (minimum 10 years).
- Completed secondary or higher education (tertiary) studies recognised by the university in an approved English-speaking country.
If English is not your first language you may be able to prove English proficiency with an approved English skills test taken within two years of commencing the course.
- IELTS score: a minimum result of 7.0 overall and a minimum result of 6.0 in each band.
- TOEFL - IBT score: a minimum result of 96 overall including a minimum result of 17 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 19 in Writing.
- Pearson Test of English: a minimum result of 68 overall and a minimum result of 54 in each band.
The university may also consider factors such as previous studies in English. Contact them for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Related study may be credited towards your degree. This may also include relevant work experience for some postgraduate courses. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
There are many employment opportunities for graduates, including:
- Human resource manager
- Workplace relations manager
- Diversity consultant
- Policy analyst
- Organisation change and development specialist
- Industrial relations advisor
- People and culture manager
- Industrial relations advocate
Learning outcomes
- Apply key concepts, specialised knowledge and techniques in human resource management and industrial relations (HRM&IR) to explain diverse business scenarios.
- Critically assess issues and solution strategies within HRM&IR theory and practice guided by research evidence.
- Effectively communicate ideas and insights to peers and other audiences, orally and in written form, when addressing novel HRM&IR issues.
- Collect and analyse data using appropriate tools and techniques to generate insights on HRM&IR challenges.
- Work collaboratively in diverse teams when addressing complex problems, drawing on evidence-based practice and considering various stakeholder needs.
- Generate ethical and responsible decisions on issues related to HRM&IR.
- Work collaboratively in work-related contexts to address complex and unfamiliar problems within HRM&IR.
Fees and CSP
Total indicative amount in 2026: Fee information is not yet available (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Total indicative amount in 2026: $19,850 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The indicative amounts to complete this course in 2026 are calculated based on the total credit points (24 credit points).
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- 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.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
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 unit you're enrolled in.
- Dependent 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.