Graduate Certificate of Health and Community
Acquire a wealth of skills and knowledge for your future career in health or community services.
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Study Pathways
WHY STUDY THIS COURSE?
This course is designed as a pathway into the Master of Social Work (Qualifying), supporting students who may not yet meet direct entry requirements. You will develop essential knowledge in health and community studies while building the academic skills needed for postgraduate success, creating a clear and supported transition into professional social work education.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
In this 14-week course, you will complete four units across behavioural and social sciences, including psychology, sociology, and welfare systems in Australia. You will explore key concepts such as grief, trauma, and social structures, while developing critical thinking and applying theory in real-world contexts, preparing you for further study in health, community services, and social work.
Course Overview
The Graduate Certificate of Health and Community is designed for health & community services professionals who wish to advance their careers, or for those who want to enter a new career in this growing industry sector. The course also offers a pathway into the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) degree at Acknowledge Education.
The Graduate Certificate of Health and Community provides a broad-based knowledge of health and community services, its practices, processes, and underlying theories and principles. The theoretical and applied learning units in this course, are designed so that students gain real-world knowledge and skills for application when working in health and community service contexts.
Course Description
The core curriculum includes four units, two from the behavioural sciences and two from the social sciences. The two units of study from the behavioural sciences are, GCIND801 Foundations of Psychology and GCIND802 Grief, Loss and Trauma Across the Lifespan, and the two units from the social sciences are, GCSOC801 Welfare Systems and Services in Australia and GCSOC802 Foundations of Sociology and Politics.
Course Structure
This course requires successful completion of 24 credit points: 4 core units weighted at 6 points each.
The course will be conducted over one trimester comprising 12 weeks with 4 units, with the course being completed within one trimester of full-time study.
Units
The units are:
GCIND801 Foundations of Psychology
GCSOC802 Foundations of Sociology and Politics
GCSOC801 Welfare Systems and Services in Australia
GCIND802 Grief, Loss and Trauma Across the Lifespan
Students admitted to the course are required to have completed a relevant three-year AQF Level 7 degree course.
Academic Requirements
To be accepted into the course, international students require a relevant three-year AQF Level 7 degree.
English Requirements
International students must have an IELTS (Academic) minimum overall band score of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0) or equivalent completed within the two years prior to admission.
Please click here to download Admissions Policy for Overseas Students (HE and VET) .
Employment pathway
This course offers an employment pathway into the health and community services sectors in Australia (aged care, disability care, youth work, community work, support work).
Potential occupations include;
Case worker
Community worker
Aged care advocacy worker
Potential employers include;
Community services
Health services
Local government
Higher Education pathway
The course offers a pathway into the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) at Acknowledge Education.
Students who have successfully completed an AQF(7), Bachelor degree with four relevant units of study (typically two units in the study of behavioural sciences and two units in the study of social sciences and equal to 0.5 EFTSL) AND who have successfully completed the Acknowledge Education Graduate Certificate in Health and Community are eligible for direct entry to the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) at Acknowledge Education.
February, May, September
View all dates here.
Why Study with AE?
Real outcomes for international students in Australia. We understand your goals and provide pathways to achieve them.
140+ Year Heritage
Multi-Sector Education Excellence
Over 140 years of excellence delivering ELICOS, VCE, VET, and Higher Education across 8 national campuses.
98% Placement Satisfaction
Job-Ready Success
98% student placement satisfaction with programs designed alongside industry partners for maximum graduate outcomes.
Up to 50% course credit
Credit for Prior Learning
Get up to 50% course credit for prior learning in Australia. You may be able to reduce both your tuition and study time.
2 week average to COE*
Seamless Enrolment
Expert onshore support from consultation to CoE issuance, with an average 2-week processing time.
*Processing times may vary depending on document completeness and course availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
To enrol as an international student, follow these steps:
Submit an enquiry through our website or contact our admissions team
Provide your academic transcripts and English test results for assessment
Receive your Letter of Offer and accept the offer
Pay your initial tuition deposit
Receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for your visa application
If you're currently studying in Australia and considering a new course, there are important regulations to be aware of:
6-Month Rule
Under Australian regulations, international students are generally expected to complete at least six months of their principal course before changing providers. If you wish to transfer before this period, you may need a release from your current provider. Release requests are assessed in accordance with applicable regulations and your provider’s policies, and may be granted in certain circumstances (for example, compassionate or compelling reasons).
Yes, we offer Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfer for relevant previous qualifications. Credit transfer depends on the relevance and level of your previous studies and how they align with this course.
Contact our admissions team for a free assessment of your eligibility for credit transfer. Credit transfer may reduce your study duration and overall tuition fees, depending on the outcome of the assessment.
Changes to your course or provider may impact your student visa. You must ensure you continue to meet your visa conditions, including maintaining enrolment in a registered course.
For specific advice about your visa, please contact the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent/lawyer.
Students studying in designated regional areas may have access to additional visa-related benefits under current government settings.
Lower cost of living compared to major cities
Strong employment opportunities in growing regional economies
As visa regulations can change, students should refer to the Department of Home Affairs for the most up-to-date information.
We provide comprehensive support services for international students:
Academic support and tutoring
Career services and employment assistance
Student welfare and counselling
Accommodation assistance
Orientation programs for new students
Support with understanding student visa conditions and compliance requirements