Deakin University
Graduate Certificate of Public Health
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Enhance your essential skills in public health practice, epidemiology, and biostatistics by studying online.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate of Public Health will equip you with the knowledge to respond to and prevent health issues at a big-picture level. You’ll be exposed to the latest research and industry evidence, empowering you to lead policy change and public health interventions. As a graduate, you will demonstrate advanced problem-solving, analytical and collaboration skills, enabling you to become a high-performing member of a public health team.
The Graduate Certificate of Public Health is ideal for clinical and non-clinical professionals and graduates from other fields passionate about improving societal health. You will learn about public health professionals' strategies and practical techniques, with a particular focus on preventative measures and health equity. This course enables you to:
- Explore how different theories and disciplinary perspectives have informed public health principles and practices.
- Understand the role of epidemiology in public health by exploring study designs, tools, methods and the latest research findings in the field.
- Apply biostatistical techniques to health-related data by exploring the philosophical basis of statistical thought, examining fundamental statistical concepts and methods and exploring their application in a variety of health settings.
Your learning will be shaped by Deakin’s leading public health research, which is rated as well above world standard. You’ll have direct access to research produced by the Institute for Health Transformation, which internationally recognised researchers lead. Close links with cutting-edge research will allow you to gain critical insights for your current role and career.
You can study on campus or through innovative online learning platform. The flexible online option allows you to study when and where it suits you, without compromising quality or support. You will receive personalised support from teaching staff who will guide you through class discussions and seminars, preparing you for a career in public health.
Upon completing the course, you can further your skills by continuing to the Graduate Diploma of Public Health or the Master of Public Health.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
From $1,021 (CSP)
November, 2026
What you will study
You must pass four credit points to complete the Graduate Certificate of Public Health. This includes:
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- Three credit points of core units.
- One credit point, of course, is for elective units.
Core units
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
- Principles and Practice of Public Health
- Epidemiology 1
- Biostatistics 1
Plus one elective unit from the following list:
- Health Promotion
- Health Protection
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements and individual circumstances. You must meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to the minimum academic requirements.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree, you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree or higher.
- At least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent).
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised English-speaking country.
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each test component.
- Other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements).
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Apply knowledge of public health theory, policy, surveillance, disease control and prevention, research principles and recent public health developments in Australia and globally to practice and scholarship.
- Communicate public health evidence, issues and solutions effectively and coherently to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Demonstrate digital literacies in public health practice and scholarship to locate, interpret and transmit knowledge, data and ideas.
- Critically evaluate public health evidence, theory and solutions.
- Use appropriate analytical and research methods to identify and interpret public health problems, propose suitable solutions to prevent disease and injury and protect and improve health.
- Demonstrate practical self-management skills, autonomy and accountability applicable to public health professional practice.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with others from various disciplines and backgrounds.
- Apply ethically appropriate research and practice skills to appraise public health-related issues and generate relevant and culturally sensitive responses.
Career outcomes
The healthcare and social assistance sector is Australia’s most significant and fastest-growing sector, with 301,000 new jobs projected to be created by November 2026*. The Graduate Certificate of Public Health will prepare you to meet this demand and you will be in a strong position to pursue roles in:
- Global organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
- Advocacy roles within organisations focused on cancer, tobacco, drugs, reproductive health, environmental health, obesity, food security, violence and HIV.
- Population health and screening
- Federal, state and local government health departments
Fees and CSP
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $4,085 (Commonwealth Supported Place).
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $15,300 (domestic full-fee paying place).
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of four credit points (normally four units) per year.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
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'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – 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.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
