Graduate Diploma of Health Management

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Graduate Diploma of Health Management
Deakin course code	H656
Faculty	Faculty of Health
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Online	Yes
Duration	1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
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.
CRICOS course code	114206E Burwood (Melbourne)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
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

The health sector is Australia’s largest employer, providing jobs to over 2.1 million people or about 8% of the population.* Gain the leadership, analytical and managerial skills needed to influence positive change in healthcare systems with the Graduate Diploma of Health Management. Set yourself up for senior roles in the health sector and use your platform to improve healthcare delivery and contribute to healthier communities.

Want to help effect positive change in healthcare and really make a difference?

As one of the most well-funded sectors in Australia,^ healthcare professionals are responsible for oversight of the billions of taxpayer dollars that fund it. That is a significant responsibility, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to make positive changes that benefit individuals, communities and countries. With a Graduate Diploma of Health Management, you will have a significant role to play not just in the allocation of precious resources, but also in the way healthcare organisations operate, evolve and deliver health services into the future.

The course is about more than just applying business and management skills in a health context. It explores what best practice looks like in the complex world of health services management. Everything you learn – and the way you learn – prepares you to navigate the exact challenges faced by health and human services professionals today.

During your Graduate Diploma of Health Management you will complete eight credit points of study comprising 3 core units and 5 elective units. You will have the opportunity to select from a range of elective units on topics like resource allocation and priority setting, healthcare operations, human resource management and more.

You’ll develop core skills that allow you to make evidence-based decisions that improve the quality of health services. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Health Management you will have the option of enhancing your skills by continuing on to the Master of Health Management and will have already completed half of the credit points from the masters course.

* ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, February 2023, seasonally adjusted

^ 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.

Indicative student 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.

Career opportunities

The healthcare sector is projected to be Australia’s biggest and fastest-growing sector over the next five years, with roles for Health and Welfare Services Managers expected to grow to by 26.5%.* With a Graduate Diploma of Health Management, you will have an important role to play in managing the new projects, services and jobs that emerge from this growth.

Your skills will help prepare you for future 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

* 2021 Employment Projections – for the five years to 2026, Jobs and Skills Australia

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 to the relevant unit guide.

Pathways

This course can be a pathway to:
Master of Health Management (H756)

Alternative exits

Graduate Certificate of Health Management (H556)

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Application of knowledge and skills in the selected stream of health and human services management that demonstrates creativity and initiative, evidenced through successful completion of a capstone assessment task.
Communication	Demonstrate communication skills to interpret, articulate and transmit information and interact professionally with clients and colleagues in a health and human services context.
Digital literacy	Independently select and uses appropriate digital tools to disseminate accurate information.
Critical thinking	Consistently demonstrates critical reflection and analysis in evaluating theory and processes.
Problem Solving	Consistently identify multiple approaches to solving complex problems, demonstrating a high level of intellectual independence and autonomy.
Self-management	Consistently and autonomously demonstrate responsibility and accountability for professional development including self-management.
Teamwork	Contribute and work effectively within a team environment demonstrating awareness of, and sensitivity to, difference amongst team members.
Global citizenship	Consistently and sensitively adapt practices to meet the cultural, ethnic, religious, social and political backgrounds of all stakeholders.

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Health Management students must pass 8 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
4 credit points of core units
4 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.

Course structure

Core units

Core units

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

HSH701

Principles and Practice of Public Health

HSH717

Health Economics 1

HSH725

Research Literacy

HME704

Fundamentals of Digital Health

Plus one of:

MAA702

Financial Interpretation

MMM710

Emerging Issues in International Operations

Plus three of:

HSH719

Economic Evaluation 1

HSH762

Resource Allocation and Priority Setting

HME711

Health Law and Ethics

HME712

Healthcare Operations

MPM722

Human Resource Management

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

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.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.