Murdoch University
Graduate Certificate in Gerontological Healthcare
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
Enhance your nursing skills in the growing field of gerontological care and become a sought-after expert in promoting healthy aging.
Course overview
By studying gerontology at Murdoch, you’ll learn the technical and analytic skills needed to implement multidisciplinary practice and policy to meet the demand for gerontological healthcare.
Build upon your health-related bachelor's degree as you study safety in health care, contemporary issues in ageing, and evidence-based approaches to caring for older people with neurocognitive conditions, chronic progressive disease, and end-of-life issues. You’ll graduate knowing how to identify and respond to deterioration and decline in older people, the components of a comprehensive assessment, and multidisciplinary care planning.
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 $592 (CSP)
31st July, 2026
What you will study
You must fulfil 12 credit points to complete the Graduate Certificate in Gerontological Healthcare. Each unit is valued at three credit points unless otherwise indicated.
Core units
- Safety and Quality in Health Care
- Contemporary Issues in Ageing
- Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Neurocognitive Disorders
- Chronic Disease Management and End of Life Care
Entry requirements
- A recognised Bachelor's Degree (AQF Level 7) or equivalent in a health-related discipline.
English language requirements
To study at Murdoch, you must meet a minimum standard in English, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study, or vocational education.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
As a graduate of Gerontological Healthcare, you’ll fulfil the need for skilled healthcare professionals with an understanding of gerontological issues and the complex needs of older people. You may provide comprehensive health care in acute, community or residential settings and assist older people in navigating life transitions in the private or aged care sectors. Career options may include:
- Clinical Nurse
- Nurse Unit Manager
- Clinical Care Manager
- Physiotherapist - Aged Care or Community
- Social worker - Aged Care or Community
- Occupational therapist - Aged Care or Community
- Facility Manager
Fees and CSP
Indicative 2026 full course fee: $2,368 (Commonwealth Supported Place).
Indicative 2026 full course fee: $8,820 (domestic full-fee paying place).
The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first-year student at Murdoch University of 12 credit points.
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.
- 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.
