Study Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

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Entry requirements Degree overview Career outcomes How to apply Study experience

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Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
City East

Duration
0.5 year(s) full-time

Program Code
ICHS

SATAC Code
4GC098 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Mode
On-campus/Online

Fees
$AU 13,900 per 0.5 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2025

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in an approved Field of Education (FOE), from a recognised higher education institution.

Approved Fields of Education are:
- Health
- Human Welfare Studies and Services
- Behavioural Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Public and Health Care Management
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Microbiology
- Human Biology
Fields of Education not listed above may be considered at the discretion of the Program Director.
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Degree overview

Develop foundational leadership and management skills relevant to the health and ageing sectors in just six months of full-time study.
Enjoy flexible study options through online and on-campus learning so you can advance your career while you study.
Study a blend of health and business courses for a contemporary health management focus.
Study course content informed by the competency framework developed by the Australasian College of Health Services Management.
Study a curriculum informed by above world-class research in public health and health services, business and management.¹
Join South Australia’s No. 1 university for graduate careers.²
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities,³ we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.

¹2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). ²ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-23– Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities. ³Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.

Snapshot

The Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management will grow your leadership, management and business skills.

In just six months of full-time study (or one year part-time equivalent), you’ll develop the skills, knowledge and capabilities to make informed decisions in a managerial capacity in the health and aged care sectors.

Upon successful completion, you can use your credit to continue studying and build your expertise further with the graduate diploma or master's degree in health services management.

What you'll learn

You’ll develop the skills and knowledge to:

Understand theoretical and practical knowledge of organisational behaviour and the psychology of individuals and groups, including motivation and leadership.
Lead a multi-stakeholder environment and handle social leadership challenges responsibly.
Learn what it means to be an effective and responsible leader.
Provide planning, budgeting and identify cost efficiencies to contribute to financial decision-making.
Prepare for leadership roles in health within Australia and internationally.

You can also tailor your studies by choosing an elective subject aligned to your area of interest. For example, you may wish to gain skills required to design and evaluate complex health interventions, or pick an elective which will enhance your analytical skills.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
Course name People, Leadership and Performance	Area and cat no. BUSS 5114	Units 4.5	Reference
Course name Responsible Leadership in Health	Area and cat no. HLTH 5196	Units 4.5	Reference
Course name Financial and Economic Management for Health and Aged Care	Area and cat no. HLTH 5193	Units 4.5	Reference
Course name Plus one of the following courses:			Reference
Course name Health and Aged Care Systems and Operations	Area and cat no. HLTH 5201	Units 4.5	Reference
Course name OR			Reference
Course name Health Informatics	Area and cat no. INFT 4018	Units 4.5	Reference

Rules & notes

Notes

1. The Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management is designed as a nested program, with credit transfers and articulation pathways to the Graduate Diploma in Health Services Management and the Master of Health Services Management.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

case studies and reports
oral or online presentations
essays and assignments
quizzes
real-world problem-solving exercises
a journal or portfolio

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Why Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management

Featuring a blend of health and business courses, this graduate certificate is a great option if you want to pursue leadership and managerial roles within the health sector.

You’ll develop capabilities based on the Australasian College of Health Services Management’s competency framework, which includes:

leadership
the health and healthcare environment
business
professional and social responsibility
communication and relationship management.

With progressive study pathways at UniSA, you'll have a competitive edge as you progress in your career.

You'll also get the flexibility and convenience of blended on-campus and online learning, with digital learning facilities and dedicated support staff who will be with you every step of the way.

UniSA’s above world-class research in public health and health services¹ informs the courses you’ll study. You’ll also study courses from a business program ranked in the top 1% worldwide², and internationally recognised for excellence in teaching, education and research.

¹2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). ²UniSA Business is one of just 13 institutions in Australia and approximately 200 globally (from over 25,000 universities) to be EQUIS
accredited. EFMD, March 2024.

Real-world connections

Learn from industry-experienced clinicians, professionals, and academics across health and business. You’ll hear from industry guest speakers who will share their insights, giving you the opportunity to build valuable industry networks and relationships.

Online study

Part, or all, of this degree can be studied online. This means that you can:

study online, including accessing videos and course resources
participate in an interactive online learning environment
submit your assignments and get feedback online
use discussion forums for team work and communication

With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment, you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle.

Please note that for some degrees, some on-campus attendance (such as to attend seminars, workshops or examinations) and/or placements may apply. Any applicable requirements will be detailed on individual course pages.

Career outcomes

Your career

Advance your management career in this high-growth industry. Healthcare and social assistance has been the primary provider of new jobs in the Australian labour market since the 1990s, and the industry is expected to make the largest contribution to employment growth in Australia over the next five years with an increase of 301,000 jobs.¹

This graduate certificate will equip you with the skills to seek out more senior leadership roles, such as:

clinical manager
practice manager
aged care manager
health and welfare services manager
medical or hospital administrator
primary health organisation manager
theatre manager

¹Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021.

Thinking of studying soon?

2025

Ready to start your studies in 2025? You can apply to the University of Adelaide or UniSA now before continuing on to the new Adelaide University in 2026.

When the time comes to transfer, we’ll be here at every step, ensuring you’re well supported with personalised advice and a detailed study plan.

2026

Planning to start your studies in 2026? You can apply to Adelaide University directly.

Applications are currently open for international students and will open for Australian students in August 2025.

Have any questions? We're here to help! Contact Adelaide University's Future Student Enquiries Team.

UniStart - your 100% online pathway to a degree

Just starting out on your university journey, don’t meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree, or want to refresh your study skills? Set yourself up for success and pave the way to a degree with UniStart, UniSA Online’s six-month pathway program launching in 2025.

Apply now

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

Go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply.
You will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application.

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you're eligible for credit from previous studies.

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Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

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Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

More scholarships

Scholarship for student leadership

Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.

Learn more

International travel grants

Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those through our student association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your study spaces

You'll experience a range of on-campus spaces including modern lecture theatres, collaborative teaching rooms, and relaxed student lounges.

Your program director

I am the Program Director and Lecturer in the Health Services Management Program in the Clinical and Health Sciences Academic Unit. I hold a Professional Doctorate (Health Science) specialising in Health Services Management and Policy Science and Masters in Business Administration (Quality Management).

My professional discipline is Nursing, where I have extensive Industry experience working in senior positions across a variety of health sectors.

My primary teaching and research area of interest is leadership in healthcare. My other research areas of interest include Person-centred care and quality and safety in health services.

Dr Matylda Howard

Program Director

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Dr Matylda Howard

Program Director

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Master of Health Services Management

Graduate Diploma in Health Services Management

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