Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine |
| Deakin course code | H522 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Campus | Some attendance is required at the National Centre for Farmer Health, Deakin centre, affiliated industry or other physical site. |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | Students are likely to undertake the GCAHM on a part-time basis over Trimesters 1 and 2 with the option of concluding elective units in Trimester 3. One core unit will run on campus in block mode – please refer to individual unit handbook entries for further details. |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
Some attendance is required at the National Centre for Farmer Health, Deakin centre, affiliated industry or other physical site. | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Research information
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Improve the social, physical and mental health of agricultural communities across Australia with our Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine.
This course aims to allow students an insight into the physical and mental health issues encountered by people within the agricultural industry. You will explore what influences higher rates of morbidity and mortality in rural and remote Australia, and what influences successful health policies and safety intervention programs.
By understanding these issues, along with learning the impact of poor health on agribusiness, agricultural production and sustainability, you will be placed to make a significant difference in Australia’s agricultural communities.
Indicative student workload
As a student in an online course in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 8-10 hours every week studying, interacting online and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course. You will also be expected to attend the National Centre for Farmer Health, Deakin centre, affiliated industry or other physical site - see individual unit descriptions for full details.
Professional recognition
The course is recognised by AgriSafeTM Australia and enables clinically trained graduates to become an AgriSafeTM practitioner. The course is accredited to offer continuing education and professional development points through a number of professional colleges and associations, including the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, the Australian Association of Social Workers, the Australian Veterinary Association, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Note: This course is currently accredited as at the date of publishing. The eligibility of students to be recognised as an AgriSafeTM practitioner is subject to meeting the requirements of AgriSafeTM Deakin University makes no representation that students will meet those requirements.
Career opportunities
The Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine (GCAHM) opens a variety of exciting career paths by providing students with a strong foundation in agricultural health, safety, wellbeing and sustainability. After successful completion of this course you will have the academic, practical and research skills to work in a range of career paths spanning health service provision, rural research, health management, health promotion, agricultural productivity, sustainability and rural policy. The GCAHM provides an important opportunity to those who are currently, or plan to be, rural and remote professionals in the fields of medicine, nursing, health, health management, rural policy, WH&S and agriculture.
Participation requirements
Compulsory attendance is required at a 5 day intensive workshop.
International students studying online may not be granted a visitor visa to complete mandatory components of the course at a campus.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
There are no mandatory student checks required for this course.
Pathways
This course provides a pathway to further postgraduate coursework programs.
Research information
Students may undertake a research stream consisting of two units, HSH731 Minor Project A and HSH732 Minor Project B, covering research integrity specifically. The units enable students to improve their knowledge and skills in research planning, conduct, and presentation of findings relative to public health. Students conduct research-based tasks and make a significant contribution to a research-based project in their relevant field of study.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply the general principles of agricultural health and medicine in the professional environment. |
| Communication | Demonstrate verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills using discipline-specific language and lay-terms necessary to explain and justify decisions to consumers, communities and professional colleagues. |
| Digital literacy | Demonstrate knowledge and skills regarding the latest technological developments including social media; and select and use appropriate technologies to conduct research; and provide information to people in agricultural settings. |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate policy, promotional and scholarly materials, research data, and farming environments; to make recommendations to influence and/or improve the health, wellbeing and safety of Australian agricultural communities. |
| Problem solving | Display flexibility and independence in applying an advanced body of knowledge, within the field of agricultural health and medicine, to solve problems regarding health, wellbeing and safety within agricultural communities. |
| Self-management | Establish and maintain a lifelong commitment to applying research knowledge and principles in an evidence-based collaborative approach to agricultural health and medicine, demonstrated through reflective practice and leadership. |
| Teamwork | Establish and maintain collaborative, professional and respectful relationships when working in a team to achieve a common goal and take a leadership role when appropriate. |
| Global citizenship | Apply knowledge of cultural, social and broader international matters in the field of agricultural health and medicine and act in a responsive manner to regional and rural issues. |
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine students must pass 4 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 2 credit points of core units
- 2 credit points of course electives
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Note:
- The course structure is highly flexible and permits you to commence your studies with either HMF701 in Trimester 1 or HMF702 in Trimester 2 and then undertake 2 credit points from the course-grouped electives in the coursework stream.
- You will have the flexibility to choose any combination of the 5 listed elective units or alternatively you may choose unlisted level 7 units provided the units are relevant to the field of Agricultural Health and Medicine and you have written approval from your course director.
Course structure
Core units
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HMF701 | Agricultural Health and Medicine |
| HMF702 | Healthy and Sustainable Agricultural Communities |
Coursework Stream
2 credit points from:
Public Health electives
| HSH701 | Principles and Practice of Public Health |
| HSH702 | Contemporary Health Issues and Policies |
Health Promotion electives
| HSH703 | Health Promotion |
| HSH704 | Health Communication |
Nursing electives
| HNN715 | Leadership and Management in Nursing |
| HNN772 | Healthcare in Low Resource/Complex Environments |
| HNN773 | Healthcare Management of Vulnerable Populations |
* Or alternatively you may choose any 700-level units provided the units are relevant to the field of Agricultural Health and Medicine and you have written approval from your course director
Work experience
Not applicable
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Enrolment and visa requirements
All places offered to International students in this course are offered as off campus students. Deakin University is making no undertaking that an offer of on campus study may be made in the future. Should students wish to change to on campus mode in the future, they will be assessed in accordance with Deakin University admission guidelines at that time. Deakin University is not obligated to provide any students with a COE (confirmation of enrolment) to facilitate a student visa application.
Deakin University offers many off campus units which may include a compulsory on campus component or residential. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they understand the visa options available to them to allow for them to be in Australia and on campus to complete these requirements.
This program includes a compulsory week long on-campus intensive component held at a Deakin University campus. Students are required to obtain a visitor visa to undertake these compulsory intensive classes. Students are unable to apply for a student visa for this course.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Other learning experiences
Students will have the flexibility to undertake elective units outside of the nominated course-grouped electives provided it is relevant to the field of Agricultural Health and Medicine and they have attained written approval from the course chair.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.