Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management in Healthcare
Course information for - 2025 entry
- Duration
- 1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
- CRICOS Code
- 084325F
- Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the course costs section below, under Fees.
- This course is available to international students not seeking to study on a Student Visa.
Overview
The Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management in Healthcare offers students the opportunity to build on their administrative or management foundations by evaluating current approaches to policy development and implementation in health care delivery.
The structure of this course allows students to select a project stream or a research stream relevant to healthcare.
Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this course. See the Courses costs section below, under Fees.

Careers
The health professionals who graduate from this course will have the skills needed to work in a variety of roles, such as health administrators and managers in a variety of hospital and community settings.
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management in Healthcare, a student must complete 80 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has completed the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management in Healthcare may exit with this award.
Additional course information
The first 40 credit points of this course consist of the units in the Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management in Healthcare.
Students then undertake three common units and elect to pursue either a project stream or a research stream for their final 10 credit points.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management in Healthcare, an applicant must have completed:
- a bachelor degree in a health discipline or equivalent; OR
- the Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management in Healthcare.
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.
Applicants with higher education study
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management in Healthcare, an applicant must have completed a Bachelor degree in a health discipline or equivalent, OR have completed the Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management in Healthcare.
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
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.
International applicants
If you’re an international applicant you’ll need the equivalent of an Australian bachelor’s degree (in a health discipline or equivalent).
You’ll also need to comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including the English Language Proficiency requirements.
English language requirements
Applicants require an academic IELTS overall score of 6.5 with an individual score of 6.0 in all tests, or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy
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
Further study
Graduates can progress to a Master of Leadership and Management in Healthcare and continue with their chosen coursework stream or research stream.
Fees
Course costs
The Tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.
Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.
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.
Apply for this course
ACU Online Applicants
Deferment
Yes. See Defer your offer.
Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.