Master of Health Management
Course summary for international students
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Health Management |
| Campus | |
| Length | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent, depending on your entry point |
| Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026 | $43,600 for 1 yr full-time AUD |
| Level | Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates) |
| CRICOS code | 114205F Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Deakin course code | H756 |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2024 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2024 should refer to previous online Handbooks or consult a Student Adviser at Student Central. | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Professional recognition
- Fees and charges
- Career opportunities
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Admission criteria
- Academic requirements
- English language proficiency requirements
- Admissions information
- Credit for prior learning - general
- Alternative exits
- Workload
- Work experience
- Mandatory student checks
Course overview
More than 9,500 new jobs are expected to be created for Health and Welfare Services Managers by 2026.* Help meet this demand and open the door to senior roles in health with Deakin’s Master of Health Management. You will build valuable skills in leadership, resourcing and program management, enabling you to improve healthcare delivery and contribute to healthier communities.
Are you ready to take the next step in your career in the fast-growing health and human services sector?
Whether you see yourself managing a clinic or hospital, leading programs promoting mental wellbeing, or shaping policy at a government level, the Master of Health Management will prepare you to take the next step in your career in health. Alternatively, if you are working in a non-healthcare related sector this course will enable you to make a smooth career shift into health management.
As a graduate of the Master of Health Management, you will be empowered to become a leading voice in the health sector – which is Australia’s fastest growing* and one of the most well-funded.^ You will not only learn how to apply business and management skills to a health context, but also how to take a patient and community focussed approach to healthcare. Gain a practical understanding of the dynamic realities of health management and develop core skills in:
- leadership and strategic planning
- health needs assessment and evaluation
- healthcare planning and monitoring
- resource and project management
- communication and negotiation.
Tailor the course to your individual career goals by selecting from one of six specialisations, including public health, health economics, business administration, disability and inclusion, sustainability in healthcare and research. You will also be able to gain real-world experience while you study, with options to undertake a work-integrated learning elective or to join an overseas study tour.
Our work-integrated learning elective will enable you to gain 150 hours of valuable industry experience. This can be an agency-based work placement with one of our many industry partners, or agency-sponsored work based at the Deakin Freelancing Hub. You’ll consolidate your theoretical knowledge in a work setting and will build your professional network by working alongside influential figures in the health sector.
On top of that, you can gain a global perspective of leading management practices by joining an overseas study tour. Gain a greater understanding of cross-cultural health approaches, by connecting with and learning from policy makers, health and human services workers, educators and health agencies in the host country.
*Jobs and Skills Australia, Employment Outlook to 2026
^Australian Government, Budget Strategy and Outlook: Budget Paper No. 1: 2020–21, Statement 6: Expenses and Net Capital Investment, p. 6-49 and Australian Government, Final Budget Outcome 2019-20, p. 12.
Professional recognition
Deakin's Master of Health Management is now accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM). As a graduate, you may apply for membership with the ACHSM. ACHSM is the peak body for health managers in the Asia Pacific, their accreditation not only ensures quality and industry relevance, but also enhances graduate employability and networking opportunities. The accreditations and professional recognition indicate the industry’s appreciation of the quality and relevance of the program to industry needs.
Fees and charges
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook. Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Career opportunities
The healthcare sector is projected to be Australia’s biggest and fastest-growing sector over the next five years.* With a Master of Health Management, you will have an incredibly important role to play in managing the new projects, services and jobs that emerge from this growth.
Your specialised skills combined with your practical experience will prepare you for management and leadership roles across a variety of areas including:
- public health departments
- hospital management
- nursing home management
- clinic management
- medical practices
- mental health organisations
- community health centres
- rehabilitation centres
- skilled nursing facilities
- healthcare associations
- welfare and human service delivery organisations
- policy roles within government
- major healthcare infrastructure projects
Recent graduates have gone on to work in international agencies with a presence in public health, divisions of general practice, health administration departments, hospitals and associated networks.
* 2021 Employment Projections – for the five years to 2026, Jobs and Skills Australia
Course learning outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply a critical and advanced knowledge in the area of health and human services management including research and current professional practices in the areas of:
|
| Communication | Communicate effectively with a range of individuals and groups, using a variety of modes and methods in a health and human service context. |
| Digital literacy | Select and use digital technologies to locate, evaluate and disseminate research to address complex health and human service management issues. |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate and synthesise complex information, problems, ideas, concepts and theories within a health and human services context. |
| Problem solving | Apply creative strategies to address complex and ill-defined health and human services management problems. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate critically reflective self-management with relevant workloads, commitments and timeframes while displaying a commitment to ethical health and human services management practice and lifelong learning. |
| Teamwork | Interact collaboratively and constructively with a diverse range of people across multiple teams and contexts to achieve targeted health and human services management outcomes. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate a critical awareness and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, religious, social and political issues in health and human service management contexts. |
Course rules
To complete the Master of Health Management you must pass 12 or 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
A 16-credit point Master of Health Management includes:
For students completing 16 credit points:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 10 credit points of core units***
- 1 specialisation (6 credit points).
For students completing 12 credit points:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 10 credit points of core units***
- 2 credit points of elective units (taken from the list of specialisation units)
- Students completing the 12-credit point course will not complete a specialisation.
***Students commencing from Trimester 2 2026, please refer to the course maps and course structure as students will have the option of completing HSH725 Research Literacy or HSH753 Research Methods in Health and Social Development as part of the core unit requirements and other core and specialisation units may have changed.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
NOTE: Completing the Masters within two years is dependent on the type of Specialisation selected.
Course structure
Core units - Trimester 1 2026 Commencing Students
All students must complete the following core units and one zero credit point unit
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HME704 | Fundamentals of Digital Health |
| HME711 | Health Law and Ethics |
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health |
| HSH717 | Health Economics 1 |
| HSH719 | Economic Evaluation 1 |
| HSH725 | Research Literacy |
| HSH762 | Resource Allocation and Priority Setting |
| MAA702 | Accounts, Accountability and Governance |
| MMM710 | Emerging Issues in International Operations |
| MPM722 | Human Resource Management |
Core units - Trimester 2 2026 Commencing Students
All students must complete the following core units and one zero credit point unit
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HME704 | Fundamentals of Digital Health |
| HME711 | Health Law and Ethics |
| HME712 | Healthcare Operations |
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health |
| HSH717 | Health Economics 1 |
| HSH719 | Economic Evaluation 1 |
| HSH762 | Resource Allocation and Priority Setting |
| MPM722 | Human Resource Management |
| MPM780 | Foundations in Leadership |
Plus one of:
| HSH725 | Research Literacy |
| HSH753 | Research Methods in Health and Social Development * |
*Students wishing to complete a minor or major project option are recommended to complete core unit HSH753 Research Methods in Health and Social Development.
Specialisations*^
The Master of Health Management has six Specialisations: Public Health, Health Economics, Business Administration, Disability and Inclusion, Sustainability in Healthcare and Research. Students completing the 16 credit point pathway must choose one of the following Specialisations, in addition to the core units.
*Students who are eligible for the 12 credit point entry pathway will not complete a Specialisation, and instead must choose two credit points of units selected from any of the specialisations below, in addition to the core units.
^Specialisations updated below from Trimester 2 2026 intake, for specialisation structure prior to this please see relevant intake course map.
NOTE: Completing the Masters within two years is dependent on the type of Specialisation selected.
NOTE: The Sustainability in Healthcare and Disability and Inclusion specialisations are not available to international students commencing in Trimester 3.
NOTE: Trimester 3 is a compulsory study period for students commencing in Trimester 3 who are interested in undertaking the Research specialisation (i.e. students will be required to complete units in consecutive T3 study periods).
Public Health Specialisation
The Public Health Specialisation helps students develop an understanding of global public health challenges. Students learn strategies and practical techniques to address these challenges, prevent disease and promote conditions that optimise population health.
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies |
| HSH744 | Epidemiology 1 |
| HSH746 | Biostatistics 1 |
| HSH770 | Health Protection |
Plus two units from:
| HSH703 | Health Promotion |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights |
| HSH731 | Minor Research Project A - must be taken as a pair with HSH732 and students must have a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60 or more |
| HSH732 | Minor Research Project B - must be taken as a pair with HSH731 and students must have a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60 or more |
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| HSH760 | International Perspectives in Health and Social Development * |
| HSH769 | Leading Systems Change |
* Limited places in this unit are allocated based on an interview process and academic merit.
Health Economics Specialisation
The Health Economics Specialisation enables students to further their understanding of health economics in Australia and internationally to support evidence-based decision making that improves the way healthcare systems and services operate.
| HSH746 | Biostatistics 1 |
| HSH766 | Economics and Health Policy Analysis |
| MPE781 | Economics for Managers |
Plus three units from:
| HSH703 | Health Promotion |
| HSH744 | Epidemiology 1 |
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| HSH761 | Health Technology Assessment 1 |
| HSH763 | Financing Health Care |
| HSH764 | Economic Evaluation - Theory and Practice |
| HSH767 | Economic Modelling |
| HSH768 | Health Economics in a Global Context |
| HSH769 | Leading Systems Change |
Business Administration Specialisation
The Business Administration Specialisation prepares students to lead and administer healthcare services including but not limited to hospitals, welfare, disability, aged care and other non-government organisations. Units in this Specialisation are delivered by the School of Health and Social Development within the Faculty of Health and the Business School within the Faculty of Business and Law (units coded Mxx).
| MMH707 | Managed Change |
| MPE781 | Economics for Managers |
| MPM703 | Business Strategy and Analysis |
Plus one unit from:
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| MWL705 | Business for Social Impact |
| MWL716 | Consultancy Experience |
| MWL717 | Entrepreneurship Experience |
| MWL718 | Internship |
Plus two units from:
| HSH763 | Financing Health Care |
| HSH766 | Economics and Health Policy Analysis |
| MMK732 | Marketing Management |
Disability and Inclusion Specialisation
The Disability and Inclusion Specialisation provides students with relevant, innovative, and critical experiences and approaches to understanding disability and inclusion, and policy and practice for inclusion. Much of the content of this Specialisation is taught by people with lived experience of disability.
| HDS730 | Disability and Inclusion: Contemporary Theory and Lived Experience |
| HDS731 | Planning for Inclusion Across the Life Course |
| HDS732 | Determinants of Health and Wellbeing in the Lives of People with Disability # |
| HDS733 | Community Capacity Building - Theory and Practice for Inclusion # |
Plus two units from:
| HDS727 | Auslan and the Deaf Community: Health and Wellbeing |
| HDS734 | Inclusive Design and Technology |
| HSH728 | Health Equity and Human Rights |
| HSH736 | Community Consultation and Participation |
| HSH744 | Epidemiology 1 |
| HSH746 | Biostatistics 1 |
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| HSH766 | Economics and Health Policy Analysis |
| HSH770 | Health Protection |
| IND734 | Australian Aboriginal Holistic Health and Healing |
#NOTE: These units are only available online- International students intending to pursue this specialisation are encouraged to seek advice from Student Central to plan their enrolment and ensure they complete a sufficient number of units on campus.
NOTE: The Disability and Inclusion specialisation is not available to international students commencing in Trimester 3.
Sustainability in Healthcare Specialisation
The Sustainability in Healthcare Specialisation addresses the growing need for health agencies to operate sustainably, supporting climate change ready policies and actions. Units in this Specialisation are delivered by the School of Health and Social Development within the Faculty of Health and the School of Life and Environmental Sciences within the Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment (units coded SLE).
| HSH764 | Economic Evaluation - Theory and Practice |
| HSH766 | Economics and Health Policy Analysis |
| SLE720 | Risk Assessment and Control |
| SLE725 | Environmental Management Systems |
| SLE740 | Climate Change, Adaptation and Mitigation |
Plus one unit from:
| HSH755 | Postgraduate Health Practicum |
| SLE715 | Circular Economy |
| SLE716 | Environmental Protection |
| SLE742 | Systems Thinking for Sustainability and Resilience |
NOTE: The Sustainability in Healthcare specialisation is not available to international students commencing in Trimester 3.
Research Specialisation^
The Research Specialisation provides students with the research skills and experience required to work in health-related research or to undertake a Higher Degree by Research. Students who complete this Specialisation may be eligible to enter Masters by Research and PhD programs at Deakin and other institutions. Note that considering HSH733 and HSH734 are assigned two credit points each, all four units are needed to complete this Specialisation, with no electives able to be completed.
| HSH733 | Major Research Project A |
| HSH734 | Major Research Project B |
| HSH744 | Epidemiology 1 |
| HSH746 | Biostatistics 1 |
^Students choosing this option must obtain approval from the Course Director and have a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 or more.
NOTE: Trimester 3 is a compulsory study period for domestic and international students commencing in Trimester 3 who are interested in undertaking the Research specialisation (i.e. students will be required to complete units in consecutive T3 study periods). International students are encouraged to seek assistance from Student Central to plan their enrolment and ensure they complete the course within their Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) course duration.
Admission criteria
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum course entry requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, you may commence this course with admission of credit and complete your course in 1.5 years full-time (2 years part-time).
Academic requirements
1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 12 credit points
To be considered for admission to this degree (with 4 credit points of admission credit applied*) you will need to meet all of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related discipline
- at least two years full time (or part-time equivalent) of relevant work experience
Examples of related disciplines include, but not limited to: Nursing, Allied Health
Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to: Health professional (e.g. physician, dentist, nurse), allied health science professional, medical administrator, health information manager
2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 16 credit points
To be considered for admission to this degree (without admission credit applied*) you will need to meet the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor's degree in any discipline
*Recognition of prior learning will still be considered on a case-by-case basis, learn more below.
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each component of test
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Credit for prior learning - general
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 recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Health Management (H556) | |
| Graduate Diploma of Health Management (H656) |
Course duration
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Workload
In the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, 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.
Work experience
Other learning experiences
It is possible to complete an international study tour as an elective unit:
HSH760 International Perspectives in Health and Social Development.
Limited places are allocated based on an interview process and academic merit.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a National Police Record Check, a Working with Children Check or other check. Refer the relevant unit guide.