Master of Health Management and Leadership

What you will study

The course comprises six core subjects, an unrestricted elective and a Professional Practice or Professional Research option.

Core units

• Foundations of Health Management and Leadership
• Applied Health Management and Leadership
• Managing Talent Productively in Health Services
• Critical Studies: Indigenous Australian Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities
• Research Practice in Healthcare
• Planning Health Services

Compulsory subjects

Select the Professional Practice or Professional Research option

• Quality and Safety in Healthcare
• Law and Ethics in Health Management and Leadership
• Financial Management in Health Services
• Innovation and Change Management
• Digital Health Management

Professional research

• Research Proposal
• Dissertation (32) in Health or Medical Science

Elective set

Select an 8-point subject from level 300, 400 or 500

• Unrestricted elective

Entry requirements

Admission

• A Bachelor's degree or AQF equivalent.

English requirements

Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements apply.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Your previous studies can be acknowledged as credit towards your postgraduate studies, provided that they meet the relevant course requirements.

If you receive an offer of enrolment and you’ve undertaken prior learning, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. The procedure is governed by the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy. Contact the university for more details.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Integrate knowledge of the role of health management and leadership at both local and global levels.
• Apply health management and leadership theory in the health care context.
• Demonstrate communication skills to convey meaning and to collaborate with a multidisciplinary workforce, including internal and external stakeholders.
• Employ effective policy-based strategies to plan, manage and develop a sustainable workforce in health services.
• Evaluate approaches for improving health care quality and safety standards and protecting the health of consumers and communities.
• Understand and advocate for cultural respect and safety of First Nations peoples at an individual and organisational level.
• Apply contemporary financial management practices to health services.
• Apply and manage the process of change management in health services.
• Evaluate research and utilise evaluation principles and research methods to address health management and/or leadership issues.
• Critically analyse and apply governance, legal and ethical requirements related to health management practice.
• Apply strategic management skills to ensure equity in healthcare access and outcomes (social sustainability).
• Critically analyse and apply knowledge and skills in planning, implementing and evaluating health service projects, including digital health management.
• Demonstrate a commitment to competence, integrity and well-being as well as a commitment to lifelong learning and continuing professional development of self and others.

Career outcomes

Diverse health management and leadership roles are found in the public and private sectors throughout Australia and overseas. For those looking to advance into management, Charles Sturt University's Master of Health Management and Leadership will give you a competitive edge in your bid to enter leadership and management positions. The degree provides knowledge and skills for those already working in management that will boost their credentials and widen their career prospects. Managed units and departments in various public and private healthcare practices, including nursing, allied health, physiotherapy, paramedicine, medical science, medicine, dentistry and the aged care sector.

Fees and CSP

Average first-year fee in 2025: $13,488 (Commonwealth Supported Place).

Estimated full fee in 2025: $26,976 (domestic full-fee paying place)

The prices listed above are indicative only.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
• Depending on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.