If you have been pondering the next steps for career progression or a change in profession, studying a postgraduate course is a great way to expand your career prospects.
Healthcare professionals have transferable skills they can apply to many jobs within the industry, but postgraduate study unlocks the door to new areas of opportunities and career advancement.
By completing a postgraduate course, you will acquire relevant skills and knowledge alongside completing placements and being eligible to apply for accreditation that can land you in a fulfilling role.
Graduate certificates
Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health - Victoria University
This course is designed to provide you with a strong understanding of child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing.
Entry requirements:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree in a related discipline such as health science, social work, psychology, medicine, counselling, criminal justice, youth work or education.
Or - Completion of a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and at least two years of approved work experience.
Delivery mode: Online.
Start dates for 2025: January, March, May, July, August and October
Length of course: 8 months (part-time).
Course units: 4 units.
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes.
Is CSP available? Yes.
What will I study? The course consists of four units which include:
- An Introduction to Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Child and Adolescent Engagement and Assessment
- Effective Trauma-Informed Care
- Mental Health Foundations
Who should study this postgraduate course? A Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health could be suitable for allied health and social care professionals who want to advance their skills and employment opportunities in the child and adolescent mental health space.
This course has been designed and developed by leading mental health academics and practitioners. Students will establish the foundations in child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing and learn skills required for interventions and inter-agency collaboration in a variety of settings.
By studying this course, you can grow your skill set in child and adolescent mental health and apply it across educational, therapeutic, community and clinical settings. Alternatively, you can complete this course as a stepping stone to completing a Master of Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
Graduate Certificate in Ultrasound Studies - University of Canberra
The only course of its type in Australia, the Graduate Certificate in Ultrasound Studies may be suited to those looking to develop practical skills and principal knowledge in sonography.
Entry requirements:
- A completed bachelor’s degree in medical radiation science.
Or - A completed bachelor’s degree in any field with successful completion of at least two units of degree level anatomy and physiology.
Delivery mode: Hybrid. Students are required to attend practical components of the course on campus.
Start dates for 2025: 3 February and 28 July.
Length of course: 12 months (part-time).
Course units: 4 units.
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes.
Is CSP available? Yes.
What will I study? Units that you will study during the course include:
- Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation
- Introduction to Ultrasound
- Abdominal Ultrasound
- Paediatric and Superficial Parts Ultrasound.
Who should study this postgraduate course? The Graduate Certificate in Ultrasound Studies is a course that’s well-suited to individuals interested in taking the first steps to becoming a sonographer.
During the course, students will gain foundational knowledge in aspects such as ultrasound scanning techniques, image recognition and acquisition of ultrasound examinations in a simulated environment.
The course also has a dedicated hands-on learning component which allows students to engage in practical learning on campus.
Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate in Ultrasound Studies, you can enrol in the Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound. Once you have completed both courses, you will be eligible to become an Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) accredited medical sonographer.
Graduate diplomas
Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) - James Cook University
This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and is a pathway for those considering a career in psychology.
Entry requirements:
- Completion of a bachelor's qualification in any field other than psychology at JCU or another university.
Delivery mode: Online.
Start dates for 2025: January, March, May, July, September and October.
Length of course: 20 months (part-time).
Course units: 10 units.
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes.
Is CSP available? No.
What will I study? During this course, you will study a broad scope of ten online subjects which include:
- Social Psychology
- Individual Differences in Personality
- The Psychology of Health, Wellbeing and Resilience
- Human Development Across the Lifespan
- Neuroscience and the Biological Bases of Behaviour
- Environmental Psychology and Sustainable Futures
- Psychological Disorders and Interventions
- Learning, Memory Cognition and Language
- Principles of Counselling
- Research and Statistics for Psychology
Who should study this postgraduate course? Aspiring psychologists and professionals in human-centred roles who are looking for career growth should consider studying this Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited graduate diploma.
Alongside learning the foundational knowledge of the history of psychology, the subjects taught in this course align with the UN Sustainable Development goals as well as current and emerging community and global health challenges.
This course is a pathway to further study for people who want to become a general psychologist, clinical psychologist, sport and exercise psychologist, organisational psychologist or forensic psychologist.
Teachers, human resources professionals, consultants, social workers and marketers can also expand their skills and career prospects by studying a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging).
Master’s degrees
Master of Counselling – Edith Cowan University
Accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), this course provides advanced, evidence-based counselling knowledge and skills for professionals.
Entry requirements:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree or equivalent prior learning experience including at least five years of relevant professional experience.
- A personal statement detailing motivations to complete the course.
- Submission of an academic transcript, two referee reports and an online interview.
Delivery mode: Online. Students are required to attend a three-day intensive workshop and may need to travel for their placement.
Start dates for 2025: January, March, May, July, September and November.
Length of course: 24 months (part-time).
Course units: 12 units.
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes.
Is CSP available? No.
What will I study? This course has 12 units made up of 10 core units and a professional field placement. Core units that students will study include:
- Foundations of Counselling Practice
- Theories and Techniques in Counselling
- The Role of the Counsellor
- Ethics in Counselling
- Counselling in a Digital World
- Mental Health Counselling
- Advanced Theories and Techniques in Counselling
- Trauma Informed Counselling
- Child and Adolescent Counselling
- Counselling at the Cultural Interface: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Practice
- Professional Field Placement
Who should study this postgraduate course? This course could be ideal for prospective counsellors who need to gain relevant experience and accreditation to become qualified.
Professionals working in social work, health policy, psychology, human services and nursing can complete a Master of Counselling to broaden their career prospects and apply skills and knowledge to their current role.
The course is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and you will complete a supervised placement either face-to-face or online to put your skills and knowledge into practice.
Master of Healthcare Leadership - Southern Cross University
This course could be suitable for individuals from a broad range of backgrounds and is designed to give an interdisciplinary perspective on the changing face of healthcare.
Entry requirements:
- Completion of a bachelor's qualification in a health-related discipline from any Australian university.
- Evidence of one year of full-time and current work experience in a health-related field.
Delivery mode: Online.
Start dates for 2025: January, March, April, July, September and November.
Length of course: 24 months (part-time).
Course units: 12 units.
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes.
Is CSP available? No.
What will I study? The online Master of Healthcare Leadership consists of 11 core units and one elective unit.
Core units
- Leading Evidence-Based Practice in Health
- Critical Review in Health
- Research Proposal for Health Innovation
- Leading Change in Healthcare
- Strategic Planning and Management in Healthcare
- Envisioning Health Systems, Policies and Practices
- Governance and Accountability in Healthcare
- Social and Emotional Competence in Healthcare
- Contemporary Health Leadership
- Building a Professional Portfolio
- Effective Teaching and Supervision in Healthcare
Who should study this postgraduate course? Healthcare professionals looking to manage or lead people, projects and organisations can benefit from studying a Master of Healthcare Leadership.
This course aims to develop interpersonal skills required for positive leadership, ranging from social and emotional competence to leading effective learning and development of strategy. Students will be able to apply their new skills and knowledge to their job instantly, which can be valuable for career progression and new promotion opportunities.
If you are thinking about starting your own practice in the allied health space, this course will give you the skills and confidence required to become a leader and manage a team.
Master of Nursing Majoring in Education - James Cook University
Designed by nursing professionals, this course prepares nurses to take on educational practice roles in clinical or non-clinical environments.
Entry requirements:
- Completion of a Bachelor of Nursing or an equivalent qualification.
- Registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Applicants from outside of Australia need equivalent registration with the relevant registering authority.
- One year of full-time clinical experience, or the part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse or midwife.
Delivery mode: Online.
Start dates for 2025: January, March, May, July, September and October.
Length of course: 24 months (part-time).
Course units: 12 units.
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes.
Is CSP available? No.
What will I study? In this course, you will study the following subjects:
Core subjects
- Informatics for Health Professionals
- Effective Clinical Governance
- Persuasive Communication
- Synthesising Evidence for Healthcare
- Quantitative Research in Healthcare
- Qualitative Research in Healthcare
- Implementing Practice Development in Healthcare Contexts
- Professional Portfolios for Career Advancement
Education major
- Principles of Education for the Health Professional
- Teaching in Practice Settings
- Clinical Coaching
- Contemporary Healthcare Education
Who should study this postgraduate course? Nurses looking for a change of pace will learn valuable skills to advance their career by completing this course.
As one of three majors available for the Master of Nursing course, the education specialisation will equip you with relevant skills and knowledge to work in clinical and non-clinical roles.
By completing this course, you can become a clinical teacher, nurse educator or work in higher education. You can combine this Master of Nursing Specialising in Education degree with a specialisation in leadership and management or advanced practice to graduate with a double major.
Master of Public Health Specialising in Health Promotion - Victoria University
This course is designed for professionals passionate about influencing positive change in public health.
Entry requirements:
- Completion of an Australian bachelor's degree in any discipline
Or - Completion of an Australian Graduate Diploma in a similar discipline.
Delivery mode: Online.
Start dates for 2025: January, March, May, July, August and October.
Length of course: 24 months (part-time).
Course units: 12 units.
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes.
Is CSP available? Yes.
What will I study? During this course you will study the following subjects:
Core units
- Foundations of Public Health
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics 1
- Public Health in Practice
- Culture and Society in Public Health
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics 2
- Promoting Health in Policy
- Systems Thinking in Public Health
- Public Health Program Management
Health promotion specialisation
- Innovative and Evidence-Based Health Promotion
- Social Media and Social Marketing Approaches to Health Promotion
- Global Contexts of Health Promotion Practice with Diverse Populations
- Research Project
Who should study this postgraduate course? If you are passionate about protecting and improving the health of communities, consider studying a Master of Public Health.
This degree allows students to explore what health promotion entails, understand the factors that contribute to poor health and look at how to create and maintain good health in communities.
As the major focuses on health promotion, this course is suited for people who are interested in pursuing a career that is centred around global health concerns, contemporary health issues and sociological implications that contribute to the health of communities.
Possible career options include health promoter, public health researcher and public policy and strategy consultant.
Master of Mental Health Nursing - Southern Cross University
This course is the first in Australia to be directly developed from the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) national framework for postgraduate studies in mental health nursing.
Entry requirements:
- Be a registered nurse and have access to mental health nurse practice or to mental health nurse practitioners during their course of study.
Delivery mode: Online.
Start dates for 2025: January, March, May, July, August and October.
Length of course: 24 months (part-time).
Course units: 12 units.
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes.
Is CSP available? No.
What will I study? During the course you will complete 11 core units and one elective unit.
Core units
- Contemporary Mental Health
- Mental Health Across the Lifespan
- Mental Health in Community, Non-government and Primary Health Settings
- Acute Mental Health
- Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health
- Physical Healthcare in Mental Health
- Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
- Building a Professional Portfolio
- Applied Leadership in Mental Health Clinical Practice
- Developing Skills in Contemporary Psychotherapies
- Critical Review in Health
Who should study this postgraduate course? This master’s degree is ideal for registered nurses who are seeking a change in their career and want to work in an area where their transferable skills are highly sought after.
Registered nurses looking to gain an understanding of current and emerging trends in mental health care will also find this course valuable for upskilling.
Southern Cross University’s Master of Mental Health Nursing is developed against mental health industry standards set by the Australian College of Mental Health Nursing (ACMHN). Graduates can use their qualifications as part of the pathway to becoming a credentialed mental health nurse.
Master of Social Work (Qualifying) - University of Canberra
During this course, you will have the opportunity to extend and enhance your practical skills and undertake placements at an approved social work agency.
Entry requirements:
- An Australian bachelor’s degree or equivalent or higher-level qualification in a related field from a recognised tertiary institution.
- The completion of at least one year of full-time study at a minimum of AQF level 7 in social sciences and human behaviour.
Delivery mode: Online. During three out of the four intensive units, however, there will be one week of in-person face-to-face sessions required for each unit.
Start dates for 2025: January, March, May, July, September and October.
Length of course: 32 to 36 months (part-time).
Course units: 12 units.
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes.
Is CSP available? No.
What will I study? The course consists of six coursework units, four intensive units and two field education placements.
Coursework units
- Social Work in Global, Regional and Local Contexts
- Working with Diverse Communities
- Psychological Health across the Lifecycle
- Ethical and Legal Contexts of Social Work Practice
- Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice
- Policy Development, Leadership and Organisational Practice
Intensive units
- Theoretical Approach to Social Work Practice
- Trauma Informed Social Work Practice
- Working with Families, Children and Young People
- Group Work Practice in Social Work
Field education placement units
- Field Education Placement 1
- Field Education Placement 2
Who should study this postgraduate course?
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) could be ideal for individuals who are looking to gain the relevant skills, tools and experience to become a professional social worker.
During this accessible, flexible and accelerated course, you will learn specialised knowledge and skills through case scenarios, simulated settings, in-person intensive components and field education placements.
The course will open a wide range of career opportunities across different community settings such as healthcare, aged care, community services, mental health services, community work and research, policy and planning.
Master of Women’s and Children’s Health - University of Technology Sydney
Lead the way in women’s and children’s health and study this course with an industry-led curriculum that is designed to meet the needs of the future.
Entry requirements:
- Current registration as a nurse or midwife.
Or - A CV and Statement of Service on an official letterhead from the workplace’s human resource department confirming the dates of employment and the position held within the organisation. Work experience must be in an allied health profession.
Delivery mode: Online.
Start dates for 2025: January, March, May, July, August and October.
Length of course: 24 months (part-time).
Course units: 13 units.
Is FEE-HELP available? Yes.
Is CSP available? No.
What will I study? During this course, you will complete seven core subjects, two elective subjects and either complete subjects from a major that you have selected or choose four to five subjects from any of the majors.
Majors include Health Research, Leadership and Management in Healthcare and Reproductive Health.
Core subjects
- Contemporary Women’s Health Issues
- The Child in the Contemporary World
- Global Perspectives in Sexual, Reproductive, and Maternal Health
- Legal and Ethical Issues in Women’s Health
- Leading Health and Social Care
- Indigenous Public Health
- Foundations in Public Health
Who should study this postgraduate course?
This course is suitable for midwives, nurses and allied health professionals who are looking to transform the future of women’s and children’s health and progress their career.
The first degree of its kind, this course focuses on the unique and individual needs of women and children including reproductive health, pregnancy and motherhood while giving you the knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality, culturally safe and accessible care for all Australians.
Potential career outcomes include becoming a senior policy officer, policy advisor, nurse unit manager, embryologist, fertility midwife, nurse educator or nursing researcher.
Advance your career with an online postgraduate healthcare course
Explore all of the courses available on GlobalHealth Education for nursing, mental health, psychology, public health, counselling leadership and social work. If you have questions about the courses, feel free to reach out to a Student Enrolment Advisor to learn more.