Are you passionate about supporting older adults? Deepen your expertise and become a trusted specialist in gerontological healthcare, making a meaningful difference in the lives of ageing individuals.
As Australia’s population rapidly increases, the demand for compassionate, expert healthcare for older people with complex needs continues to rise. There is a growing need for healthcare professionals with specialised knowledge and skills in the care of older adults across acute and community settings.
Build on your Graduate Certificate in Gerontological Healthcare, by deepening your expertise and expanding your scope of practice. This diploma will offer you a structured progression from the certificate level, enabling you to go further in your chosen career.
3 reasons to study Gerontological Healthcare at Murdoch University
Fit study into your working life and study anywhere through our online-only course where you'll learn in our interactive, virtual classroom.
This diploma has been designed by healthcare experts to meet the needs of industry, ensuring it is practical, relevant and equips health professionals to deliver, manage and lead complex healthcare and innovation.
This diploma may be your pathway to a Master’s degree, supporting lifelong learning and academic progression.
What you’ll learn
You’ll become equipped with the essential competencies of gerontological care in hospitals, homes and communities.
Advanced study in areas such as dementia and mental health in older people, managing long-term illness, end-of-life care (palliative care).
This diploma teaches leadership on aged care services, supporting workforce development, professional recognition and leadership.
Your future career
As a graduate of Gerontological Healthcare, you’ll fulfil the need for skilled healthcare professionals with an understanding of gerontological issues and complex needs of older people. You may provide comprehensive health care in acute, community or residential settings and assist older people to navigate life transitions in either the private or aged care sectors. Career options may include:
Select which option best describes your path to university :
Means of admission
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum English requirement
Murdoch College
Successful completion of one of the following:
Murdoch University Preparation Course (MUPC) with a final mark of 50% or higher in all subjects.
Murdoch University Preparation Course (MUPC) - (Accelerated Entry) with a final mark of 50% or higher in all subjects.
Foundation Studies Course with a final mark of 50% or higher in all subjects.
Successful completion of the course
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
University study
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Enabling courses
Successful completion of one of the following:
OnTrack Flex, OnTrack Sprint or K-Track at Murdoch University.
Murdoch FlexiTrack High programin Year 12.
TLC – Learning for Tomorrowin Year 12.
an enabling or bridging course at another Australian University.
Successful completion of the course
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Murdoch College
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of one of the following:
Murdoch University Preparation Course (MUPC) with a final mark of 50% or higher in all subjects.
Murdoch University Preparation Course (MUPC) - (Accelerated Entry) with a final mark of 50% or higher in all subjects.
Foundation Studies Course with a final mark of 50% or higher in all subjects.
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of the course
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
University study
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA).
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Enabling courses
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of one of the following:
OnTrack Flex, OnTrack Sprint or K-Track at Murdoch University.
Murdoch FlexiTrack High programin Year 12.
TLC – Learning for Tomorrowin Year 12.
an enabling or bridging course at another Australian University.
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of the course
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Means of admission
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum English requirement
VET course studied at school
Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
or Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Total score of 24 or higher.
Does not meet English for direct entry.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)
CPS 54 or higher.
Does not meet English for direct entry
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
(145 if prior to May 2010)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Overseas Year 12
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.
Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:
English
English Extension (Literature)
English for ESL Learners.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Extenuating circumstances
We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course. Find out more.
Case-by-case assessment.
Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)
70
Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):
English ATAR
Literature ATAR
English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR
Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
GCE A Levels
Minimum of 6 points taken from the best 2 or 3 subjects where A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 (AS Levels are equivalent to half points e.g. A=2.5, B=2 etc.) or higher.
Does not meet English for direct entry
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
(145 if prior to May 2010)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
VET course studied at school
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher.
Minimum English requirement
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
or Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Minimum academic requirement
Total score of 24 or higher.
Minimum English requirement
Does not meet English for direct entry.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP)
Minimum academic requirement
CPS 54 or higher.
Minimum English requirement
Does not meet English for direct entry
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
(145 if prior to May 2010)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Overseas Year 12
Minimum academic requirement
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Minimum English requirement
Please refer to the information under the country of study.
Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Minimum academic requirement
Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower.
Minimum English requirement
Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:
English
English Extension (Literature)
English for ESL Learners.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only)
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only).
Extenuating circumstances
Minimum academic requirement
We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course. Find out more.
Minimum English requirement
Case-by-case assessment.
Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC)
Minimum academic requirement
70
Minimum English requirement
Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):
English ATAR
Literature ATAR
English as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR
Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only).
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
GCE A Levels
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum of 6 points taken from the best 2 or 3 subjects where A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 (AS Levels are equivalent to half points e.g. A=2.5, B=2 etc.) or higher.
Minimum English requirement
Does not meet English for direct entry
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher.
(145 if prior to May 2010)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Means of admission
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum English requirement
Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, UK or USA.
Certificate IV AQF level 4
Successful completion of a Certificate IV.
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).
AND
Satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, UK or USA.
Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, UK or USA.
Certificate IV AQF level 4
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of a Certificate IV.
Minimum English requirement
Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010).
AND
Satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, UK or USA.
Means of admission
Minimum academic requirement
Minimum English requirement
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
Written English score of 140 (145 if prior to May 2010)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Mature Age Pathway (MAP)
No direct entry.
No direct entry.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Minimum academic requirement
Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010).
Minimum English requirement
Written English score of 140 (145 if prior to May 2010)
AND
satisfactory completion of at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
Mature Age Pathway (MAP)
Minimum academic requirement
No direct entry.
Minimum English requirement
No direct entry.
A recognised Bachelor of Nursing Degree (AQF Level 7) or equivalent in a relevant health-related discipline.
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can reduce the amount of study needed to
complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can reduce the amount of study needed to
complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Progress to fees and scholarships
Fees and scholarships
Scholarships
Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship.
Whether you’re a high achiever or have experienced hardship, we offer a wide range of scholarships and awards to students from all walks of life. Explore our scholarships to find the ones you could be eligible for as a new Murdoch student
as well as what's available throughout your degree.
Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.
Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.
If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer.
Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship. Our International Welcome Scholarship offers eligible students between $8,000 and $11,000, depending on the course you study.
The Australian Government also offers scholarships to students from developing countries through the Australia Awards Scholarship program.
Explore our scholarships and find out if you’re eligible to apply.
