student standing in front of health clinic

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    January, March, April, July, August, October

  • Duration

    8 months part-time

  • Location

    SCU Online

  • Placement

    No  

  • Course abbreviation

    GradCertHlthLdr

  • Course code

    1008108

  • Credit points

    48

  • Equivalent units

    4

  • Scholarships

  • Indicative fee

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

International snapshot

  • Start Date

    January, February, April, June, August, October

  • Duration

    1 year part-time

  • Location

    SCU Online

  • Placement

    No  

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership is an entry-level management course introducing students to critical concepts of accountability, policy and management in healthcare. The course is also a pathway to further postgraduate study in the Master of Healthcare Leadership.

Units of study focus on strategic health management, leading change, health systems, policy and principles and practice of clinical accountability.

The course will appeal to professionals from clinical disciplines (e.g. nursing, midwifery, dentistry), and/or allied health disciplines (e.g., physiotherapy, pharmacy, occupational therapy, psychology, social work), who are looking to extend their career into management and leadership roles in healthcare, social and community care services.

Our interactive, collaborative and flexible learning environment assist you to link the theories you learn to the real-world issues via different pathways, including provision of high quality and at the same time, cost-efficient services via strategic leadership approaches; planning for positive changes in health, social and community care systems/policies/practices; and evaluating healthcare, social and community care services via clinical accountability and governance frameworks.

Clinical Exercise Physiology student Vincent Manze at the Exercise lab on Gold Coast campus

“My experience at Southern Cross has been really good. There has been a vast array of opportunities for me. I've seen the whole spectrum of what I'm capable of doing."

The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.

Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.

Learn more

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Assess professional learning, and performance with personal autonomy, accountability, resilience, and adaptability.

GA2: Creativity

Apply sustainability frameworks to optimise health, social, and community care services.

GA3: Ethical practice

Appraise professional standards or competencies and ethical frameworks in informing professional learning in health, social and community services.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Work independently and collaboratively to generate frameworks in health, social and community care services.

Contribute to scholarship as a basis for professional inquiry and knowledge translation to ensure the provision of quality health, social and community care services.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Demonstrate the application of leadership and management frameworks in the current health, social and community care system.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Demonstrate an understanding of existing systems, policies and practices to improve health, social and community care services.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate cultural responsivity and respect for the identity, dignity, and diversity of all people.

Students will complete all four core units: Strategic Health Management; Leading Change in Healthcare; Health Systems, Policies and Practices; and Principles and Practice of Clinical Accountability.

Location Teaching period
SCU OnlineSummer Term, Term  1, Term  2, Term  3, Term  4, Term  5
Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
SCU OnlineSummer Term, Term  1, Term  2, Term  3, Term  4, Term  5$13,860 ($3,465 per unit)N/A

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Career Outcomes

Australia has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. It’s the country’s largest employer and employment opportunities continue to evolve and grow. Graduates of this course will demonstrate a broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge that prepares them for a career pathway in health leadership, in healthcare, community outreach organisations, area health services, professional associations, hospitals, private practice, and local, state and federal policy making agencies.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

A three (3) year Bachelor qualification, or equivalent, in a health related discipline.

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.5
Listeningminimum 6.0
Speakingminimum 6.0
Readingminimum 6.0
Writingminimum 6.0

Course requirements

To be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points) comprising all 4 core units

Other things to consider

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Learn more


Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Current Students should select their units by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment as these may be different.

View Student Handbook

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

PBHL5017Governance and Accountability in Health Care
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Term2
Term2
Anti-requisitesHLTH5005 - Principles and Practice of Clinical Accountability
PBHL5016Leading Change in Health Care
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Term3
Term3
Anti-requisitesHLTH5001 - Leading Change in Healthcare
PBHL5014Strategic Planning and Management in Health Care
Summer Term
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Summer Term
Term4
Summer Term
Term4
Anti-requisites MGMT5004 - Strategic Health Management
PBHL5018Envisioning Health Systems, Policies and Practices
Term1,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
SCU Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Anti-requisitesMGMT5001 - Health Systems, Policies and Practices


Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
PBHL5016Leading Change in Health Care
PBHL5014Strategic Planning and Management in Health Care
PBHL5018Envisioning Health Systems, Policies and Practices
PBHL5017Governance and Accountability in Health Care

Why Health at SCU

One of the best clinical lab facilities in Australia

Health Clinics on-campus provide safe and supervised environments for practicums

5-star health ratings

We are 5-star rated in psychology, nursing and health services and support

(GUG 2023)

Graduates in very high demand

Health graduates in very high demand as Health Care and Social Assistance is Australia's largest and fastest growing industry

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic students

You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.

Commonwealth Supported Places:

In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.

Full Fee-Paying Places:

A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Fees and Scholarships

International Students

If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Apply now

Preparing to apply

  1. Check requirements
  2. Get supporting documents ready
  3. Choose where and when from the available options

Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.

Choose where you want to study

SCU Online

International students studying online or outside of Australia

SCU Online

Dates for the diary

Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.

See key dates

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry Pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a pathway