Graduate Diploma
Throughout the Graduate Diploma of Gerontology, you will develop insight into the health of the older person, as well as leadership skills, by participating in new paradigms of thinking. You will acquire practical skills and research capabilities using interdisciplinary perspectives and ageing theories that can be applied across health care contexts and cultures. This course provides a strengths-based and holistic view of the older person and the ageing process. Rather than focusing on frailty and disease, you will study the physical, mental and social aspects and implications of ageing. You will explore the determinants of healthy ageing as well as the various challenges faced by the older population. This course offers an innovative, multidisciplinary variety of core and elective units and a curriculum that is fully responsive to the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2018). Attention is given to the agency of the older person, complex care needs including dementia and cognitive decline, polypharmacy and safety issues, governmental policies, standards of care and accreditation requirements. The course is relevant to a wide range of professionals so if you are a nurse, allied health professional, administrator and/or manager, this course could be ideal for you.
Entry Requirements
• A completed 3 year Australian Bachelor degree, or Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent qualification, in a health-related discipline from a recognised tertiary institution; or
• A minimum of 3 years employment experience as a health professional in the aged care sector.
Employment experience should be in the form of a letter of employment and must be presented on a company letterhead as well as signed and dated by a delegated authority.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:
• A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
• Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0 completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America.
If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below.
• An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 overall with a minimum 5.5 for Reading and Writing and 5.5 for Speaking and Listening, or
• An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
Each student will be assessed individually.
Advanced Standing
The following applicants may be eligible for a shorter course duration:
• Applicants with a Graduate Certificate in a health-related discipline.
Security RequirementsNo information available at this time.Health RequirementsNo information available at this time.Assumed KnowledgeIt is recommended that students have completed a health-related degree.
A Graduate Diploma of Gerontology will prepare you to work in all government and non-government older person's health and aged care organisations.