Course information for - 2027 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- Domestic
Offered at 1 locations
- Melbourne
- Melbourne
- Duration
-
One year part-time.
- ATAR
- N/A
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2027
Applications open August 2026
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2027
Applications open April 2027
Overview
ACU’s Graduate Certificate in Public Health equips graduates with knowledge, understanding and skills in public health to improve population health and well-being. The course prepares graduates to practice with a community, national or global focus, and with an ethical, social justice perspective.
On successful completion of the course, graduates should be able to demonstrate knowledge of major public health issues, approaches, principles and policy; analyse and utilise best available evidence to support public health action; and demonstrate skills needed to critique and implement particular types of public health interventions.
In order to complete the Graduate Certificate in Public Health, students must successfully complete 40 credit points (cp) of specified public health units.
Articulation from this course into the Graduate Diploma in Public Health or the Master of Public Health is available.
Volunteer experience
There are no mandatory requirements for volunteer experience
Professional recognition
Our Master of Public Health suite including the graduate certificate in public health has been designed around the Foundation Competencies for Master of Public Health Graduates in Australia and the requirements of the Australian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (for medical practitioners specialising in public health). Other international competency and practice standards and conceptual frameworks have also informed the Master of Public Health curriculum design.
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- public health projects
- public health advocacy
- epidemiology
- health education
- health communications
- academic policy
- legislative policy
- management policy
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate in Public Health, a student must complete 40 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have either:
a. a Bachelor degree (or higher) or equivalent;
OR
b. submit a resume alongside their formal application, demonstrating suitability for study and evidence of relevant industry experience and/or prior learning over a sustained period.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.
Applicants with higher education study
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
Applicants with work and life experience
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
English language requirements
Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum score of 6.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy (see English Language Proficiency).
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
Fees
Course costs
*This is an indicative first-year fee based on the tuition fee rates for a full-time student, using unit enrolment data from domestic students who studied the course in the previous year.
A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:
- Number of units studied per year
- Choice of major or specialisation
- Elective units
The University reviews fees annually.
You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.
A 10% rebate on fees will be offered to domestic ACU graduates (from any faculty) enrolling in full fee-paying postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Conditions apply.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
When To Apply
For most courses, applications for Semester 1 open in August, and applications for the midyear intake (Semester 2) open in April.
Please note that not all courses are available to start midyear. Check the course browser in April to see which options are open for Semester 2.
Some courses also accept applications for other study periods. For example, a selection of our online courses offer four intakes each year.
When applications are open for a course, you’ll see a link on the course page explaining how to apply. Ensure you select you preferred campus from the available locations at the top of the page.
For more information, visit our how to apply guide and check out our study periods.
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment.