Skip to Main Content
Catalogue Link
<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/home" class="t-Header-logo-link"><span class="apex-logo-text">Handbook</span></a>
Hidden Page Items
New
HM4.GER - Graduate Diploma of Health (Gerontology)
New
8F54A586553D4F40BF473D2822CE8C96
New
HE PGCW Template
New
5
New
20260200
New
2026
New
New
New
New
2026-06-16
New
2026-06-16
New
2.3
New
/MK1.1/O2.2
New
/R1.2
New
Program
New
Postgraduate Course
New
Graduate Diploma of Health (Gerontology)
New
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
New
Nursing
New
<p>The new online Graduate Diploma in Health (Gerontology) aims to address the demand for education and workforce needs in caring for the elderly, recently identified by the Royal Commission Into Aged Care. Throughout this course you will examine key aspects of pathophysiology and pharmacology, normal ageing as well as comprehensive assessments, whilst also developing your analytical, leadership and communication skills. Graduates may work across the aged care sector upon successful completion. This course is suitable for those who have a degree in a health discipline (or equivalent). Degrees in other discipline areas may be considered providing there is evidence of relevant work experience with older adults. In order to satisfactorily engage with the curriculum, integrating theory and practice, it is recommended students are currently in a professional role working with older adults.</p>
New
PGCW
New
120
New
New
Graduate Certificate
New
8 - Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
New
1 year
New
<p>Julia Gilbert</p>
New
["Full time","Part time"]
New
["Domestic"]
New
New
3/4 HD and nothing less than a D
New
<p>Students that achieve a grade of High Distinction (HD) in at least three quarters of the units they study in a teaching period and receive nothing less than a Distinction (D) in remaining units in that teaching period will receive a letter of commendation.</p>
New
Fail any unit in a term
New
<p>Students that fail a unit will be contacted via email with advice on required actions and referral to various Federation support services.</p>
New
Fail > = 50% in a term OR fail a unit 2 times OR fail a practicum
New
<p>Students who fail in 50 % or more of the units in which they are enrolled in any semester or who have not passed a unit after two attempts or fails a practicum will be regarded as having unsatisfactory progress. They will be contacted via email and advised to contact their Course Coordinator to seek advice on how to address the issues that contributed to the result. </p>
<p></p>
New
2 consecutive performance (%) unsatisfactory terms OR fail a unit 3 times
New
<p>Following unsatisfactory progress in two consecutive semesters or failing a unit for the third time, students will be asked to show cause why they should not be suspended from the course. Unless a satisfactory response is received by the relevant Academic Progress Committee the student may be suspended from the course for a period of up to two years.</p>
New
Marginal fail in final unit
New
<p>Students who receive an MF grade in their final Semester may apply to the Course Coordinator within 7 days of the publication of results for supplementary assessment if that unit is the only outstanding unit required to complete the degree and the student has not been found guilty of any form of academic misconduct (e.g. plagiarism, contract cheating, collusion) in that Semester. The highest grade attainable will be a Pass grade.</p>
New
["Domestic CSP"]
New
false
New
New
New
New
New
["applicants with Higher Education Study"]
New
New
New
New
New
New
New
No
New
New
New
New
New
New
New
false
New
<p>Previous higher education studies with results at a pass level or above, including any 'single subjects of study', or successful completion of a tertiary preparatory course such as <a href="https://www.federation.edu.au/courses/dfs0-federation-access-studies-fast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Federation Access Studies (FAST)</a>.</p>
New
New
New
false
New
New
New
New
New
New
New
New
New
New
New
true
New
New
New
New
Academic requirements
New
false
New
New
true
New
<p>Applicants are requested to provide supplementary information to support their application as listed below.</p>
New
false
New
New
New
false
New
New
true
New
<p>The courses listed below offer approved credit pathways into this course, provided you meet the additional admission requirements.</p>
New
false
New
New
false
New
New
true
New
true
New
<p>This course recognises relevant non-formal and informal prior learning and experiences, as long as you meet the admission eligibility rules and procedures, and any RPL unit exclusions.</p>
New
73063F12B7184FE1BF080D39B992DE99
New
Part Time Study Commencing Start of the year
New
Part Time Study Commencing mid-year
New
New
New
New
New
New
New
New
New
Additional costs
New
Credit, pathways, and recognition of prior learning
Hidden Page Items
Semester
Semester
0200
Year
Year
2026
Current Year
2026
Breadcrumb Positioning
Handbook
HM4.GER - Graduate Diploma of Health (Gerontology)
Pseudo Breadcrumb
HM4.GER - Graduate Diploma of Health (Gerontology)
Breadcrumb Type
Course
Catalogue Term and Year
Version Text
You are viewing a version for
Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Summer Semester
Year
2026
RDS Holder
Overview
Key information
Entry requirements
Course rules
Course structure
Course learning outcomes
Credit, pathways, and recognition of prior learning
Parent Region
Overview
Course overview
<p>The new online Graduate Diploma in Health (Gerontology) aims to address the demand for education and workforce needs in caring for the elderly, recently identified by the Royal Commission Into Aged Care. Throughout this course you will examine key aspects of pathophysiology and pharmacology, normal ageing as well as comprehensive assessments, whilst also developing your analytical, leadership and communication skills. Graduates may work across the aged care sector upon successful completion. This course is suitable for those who have a degree in a health discipline (or equivalent). Degrees in other discipline areas may be considered providing there is evidence of relevant work experience with older adults. In order to satisfactorily engage with the curriculum, integrating theory and practice, it is recommended students are currently in a professional role working with older adults.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Nursing
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Study load:
Full time<br />Part time
Credit points:
120
AQF level:
8 - Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
Duration (in full time equivalent):
1 year
Domestic students:
<p><strong>Location</strong></p><p>Online</p>
Course coordinator:
<p>Julia Gilbert</p>
Entry requirements
Domestic students
Applicants with higher education study
Academic requirements
<ul><li>Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree at AQF level 7 in a cognate discipline in Health and currently working in a relevant field in at least 0.6 FTE (full-time equivalent)</li></ul>
Additional requirements
Supplementary admission requirements
<p>Applicants are requested to provide supplementary information to support their application as listed below.</p><br /><p class="bold-heading3">Resume - Current, relevant work experience (including length of time)</p> <p>A brief account of your education, qualifications and previous occupations relevant to the course being applied for.</p>
Course rules
Course rules show the number and type of credit points needed to finish your course. They help you understand what you need to complete to graduate. You’re responsible for following the course rules and completing the right units. You’ll find a recommended sequence of units that meets these course rules in the course structure.
Course rules
Complete 120 credit points comprising:
120
credit points for all
Core Units
Core Units
Complete 120 credit points for ALL of the following:
Code
Title
Credit points
HEALA6400
Pathology and Pharmacology in the Older Adult
30
HEALA6401
Comprehensive Assessment of the Older Adult
30
HEALA6402
Management and Leadership in Aged Care
30
HEALA6403
Supportive and Palliative Care of the Older Person
15
HEALA6404
Mental Health in the Older Person
15
Academic progress regulations
Commendation
<p>Students that achieve a grade of High Distinction (HD) in at least three quarters of the units they study in a teaching period and receive nothing less than a Distinction (D) in remaining units in that teaching period will receive a letter of commendation.</p>
Counselling
<p>Students that fail a unit will be contacted via email with advice on required actions and referral to various Federation support services.</p>
Unsatisfactory
<p>Students who fail in 50 % or more of the units in which they are enrolled in any semester or who have not passed a unit after two attempts or fails a practicum will be regarded as having unsatisfactory progress. They will be contacted via email and advised to contact their Course Coordinator to seek advice on how to address the issues that contributed to the result. </p> <p></p>
Exclusion / suspension
<p>Following unsatisfactory progress in two consecutive semesters or failing a unit for the third time, students will be asked to show cause why they should not be suspended from the course. Unless a satisfactory response is received by the relevant Academic Progress Committee the student may be suspended from the course for a period of up to two years.</p>
Final unit supplementary assessment
<p>Students who receive an MF grade in their final Semester may apply to the Course Coordinator within 7 days of the publication of results for supplementary assessment if that unit is the only outstanding unit required to complete the degree and the student has not been found guilty of any form of academic misconduct (e.g. plagiarism, contract cheating, collusion) in that Semester. The highest grade attainable will be a Pass grade.</p>
Course structure
Course structures give you the recommended sequence of units and guide your progression through a course. It's your responsibility to meet the course rules and confirm unit availability each year. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.federation.edu.au/students/student-essentials/how-to-enrol/what-to-enrol-in/">Learn more about course structures and enrolment.</a>
Part Time Study Commencing Start of the year
Year 1
Semester 1
HEALA6400
Pathology and Pharmacology in the Older Adult
Core Units
30
Semester 2
HEALA6401
Comprehensive Assessment of the Older Adult
Core Units
30
Year 2
Semester 1
HEALA6402
Management and Leadership in Aged Care
Core Units
30
Semester 2
HEALA6403
Supportive and Palliative Care of the Older Person
Core Units
15
HEALA6404
Mental Health in the Older Person
Core Units
15
Part Time Study Commencing mid-year
Year 1
Semester 2
HEALA6401
Comprehensive Assessment of the Older Adult
Core Units
30
Semester 1
HEALA6400
Pathology and Pharmacology in the Older Adult
Core Units
30
Year 2
Semester 2
HEALA6403
Supportive and Palliative Care of the Older Person
Core Units
15
HEALA6404
Mental Health in the Older Person
Core Units
15
Semester 1
HEALA6402
Management and Leadership in Aged Care
Core Units
30
Course learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates will be able to:
Course learning outcomes
Ref
Outcome
<p>1</p>
<p>Demonstrate an advanced level of awareness and understanding of contemporary issues in ageing at individual, group and community levels locally and internationally</p>
<p>2</p>
<p>Develop and consolidate advanced skills in delivering evidence based safe, ethical and professional care for the older adult in accordance with regulatory standards</p>
<p>3</p>
<p>Develop and demonstrate an advanced level of skills and expertise to support older adults with complex needs, including dementia care and end of life support, while strengthening leadership, communication and assessment skills</p>
Credit, pathways, and recognition of prior learning
Credit pathways
Credit pathways
<p>The courses listed below offer approved credit pathways into this course, provided you meet the additional admission requirements.</p>
CRS_CRDT_QUAL_PROVIDE
Course code and title
Institute / school
Credit points
<p><a target="_blank" href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/Program?p5_code=HN4.GER">HN4.GER - Graduate Certificate in Health (Gerontology)</a></p>
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
60 credit points
Nested qualifications
Nested qualifications
<ul><li>Upon successful completion of specified units 60 credit points you may exit this course with the following qualification: <p><a target="_blank" href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/Program?p5_code=HN4">HN4 - Graduate Certificate in Health</a></p></li></ul>
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning
<p>This course recognises relevant non-formal and informal prior learning and experiences, as long as you meet the admission eligibility rules and procedures, and any RPL unit exclusions.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Nursing
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Study load:
Full time<br />Part time
Credit points:
120
AQF level:
8 - Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
Duration (in full time equivalent):
1 year
Domestic students:
<p><strong>Location</strong></p><p>Online</p>
Course coordinator:
<p>Julia Gilbert</p>
Disclaimer
<em>Information in the Federation Handbook is correct at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to alter any course, unit, procedure or fee.</em>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: HM4.GER - C2.3/MK1.1/O2.2/R1.2