Australia’s aged care sector is growing rapidly, which means increasing demand for capable and responsive leadership across a range of healthcare settings. This specialised graduate certificate equips you with advanced knowledge and skills in the core areas of leadership, management and quality care of the older person. With a wide choice of elective subjects, you can also develop specialised knowledge in areas like mental health, public health or organisational behaviour.

This flexible program can be completed entirely online (subject to course availability), or as a combination of online and on-campus learning options.

You can also choose to progress to a master’s-level qualification to further your role as a health sector leader.

In this program you will:

• Advance your knowledge and understanding in an area of aged care
• Prepare yourself for health care management and leadership
• Develop opportunities for advanced practice roles within aged care
• Have the option to finish in one semester

Career opportunities:

Graduates will extend their career pathways in aged care sector leadership, clinical education and clinical practice roles.

Admission requirements:

Applicants are required to have successfully completed a bachelor's qualification (AQF level 7) in a health-related field from a recognised tertiary education provider. Applicants who are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) who do not have a bachelor's qualification may be considered for admission based on extensive industry experience and will require approval by the Program Coordinator.

Fees for short courses

As part of the Federal Government's Job-ready Graduates package, USC is offering a limited number of Commonwealth supported places in the Graduate Certificate in Aged Care in 2021. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be a domestic student, and meet the citizenship and residency requirements. For more information visit Commonwealth supported places. Eligible students are able to defer payment through HECS‑HELP.

Commonwealth supported places for this short course initiative are only available for 2021. Any remaining short course units that are commenced in 2022 would not be Commonwealth supported, and would be charged at the cost of a full fee paying place, payable upfront.*

How to apply

To apply for the Graduate Certificate in Aged Care, submit the completed online application form via Apply USC. Commonwealth supported places will be allocated to eligible students who meet the entry requirements in order of application date, so apply as soon as possible.

*Note: The information provided above is correct as at 23 December 2020 and may be subject to change without notice.