Southern Cross University
Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership
- Delivery: Online
- Commitment: 15 - 20 hours/week
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 8 months
Delivered online and designed to build your knowledge to meet leadership challenges in multidisciplinary and complex healthcare delivery.
Course overview
Whether you are a registered nurse or allied health professional, a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership can enable you to take a significant step forward in your career in Australia’s largest industry.
By completing Southern Cross University’s Online Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership, you will gain knowledge to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of leadership in multidisciplinary and complex healthcare delivery. You’ll extend your knowledge in evidence-based care and learn how to lead teams of health professionals in Australia’s healthcare systems. The university's aim is to produce graduates who are career-ready. So join one of the world’s best universities under 50 years old and advance your career in healthcare.
Key facts
6th July, 2026
31st August, 2026
26th October, 2026
What you will study
To gain the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership award, students must complete four units.
Core units
- Leading Change in Healthcare
- Strategic Planning and Management in Healthcare
- Envisioning Health Systems, Policies and Practices
- Governance and Accountability in Healthcare
Entry requirements
To qualify for entry into the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership, all applicants must have the following:
- Have successfully completed a minimum three year bachelor's qualification, or equivalent, in a health-related discipline.
- Be proficient in English.
Recognition of Prior Learning
SCU recognises and grants credit for past education, qualifications and/or work experience in advanced standing. If you're eligible for advanced standing, this can impact the number of units you need to study, reducing the time and cost of your overall degree.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Use contemporary theory to drive change
Lead positive change with the ability to research and present solutions to key stakeholders using the latest evidence-based theories in health practice. - Become a strategic healthcare leader
Further develop the interpersonal skills needed for effective healthcare leadership, from social and emotional competence, leading effective learning and development of strategy. - Adapt to changing healthcare systems
Learn contemporary theory, compare health systems, practices and policies to improve the quality and efficiency of services by taking advantage of the latest technology.
Career outcomes
SCU students and graduates work across many roles in the healthcare industry. Below is a snapshot of some of these roles and jobs.
- Acting nurse manager
- Aboriginal health worker
- Clinical coach
- Clinical nurse
- Social work department manager
- Nurse unit manager
- Occupational therapist
- Registered nurse
- Speech pathologist
Fees and FEE-HELP
Fee per unit in 2026: $2,875 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Total course fee in 2026: $11,500 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The number of units you must complete to graduate depends on the course and if you receive advanced standing. This, in turn, will effect how much your Southern Cross University Online course fees will cost you.
Student fees 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.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
Student Testimonials
Kamala Skinner
The skills I have developed in this course have contributed to changes in my practice, which have then been passed on to my staff and the organisation. No knowledge gained from this course has or will ever be wasted.
Donna Kelly
As a mother of two children and working as a Clinical Coordinator at St Vincent's Private Hospital, studying an MHL at SCU Online has provided flexibility for study time, family life and work commitments.
Dave Levings
My learnings have enabled me to expand my knowledge of critical thinking and with this in mind, I feel I have developed better ways to problem solve. I have also focused more on reflective practice and self-reflection.
Carolyn Baker
The course is challenging yet rewarding and relevant to healthcare professionals working in the complex environments of the Australian healthcare system. Some of the advantages of learning online are that you choose the times when you study to suit your lifestyle and are able to meet and learn with other healthcare professionals from around Australia and overseas.
