Why study healthcare leadership with SCU Online?
Expand your skill set
Unlock new opportunities beyond frontline care with advanced skills and knowledge.
Strategic leadership skills
Build strong leadership capabilities to drive impactful change in your organisation.
Outstanding student support
#1 in Australia for Education Student Support 1
1 Good Universities Guide 2023
Lead the change in healthcare
The Australian healthcare sector is undergoing rapid and widespread change, increasingly disrupted by new technologies and a changing workforce as well as population. Whether you are a registered nurse or allied health professional, a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership can enable you to take a significant step forward in your career in Australia’s largest industry.
By completing Southern Cross University’s Online Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership you will gain knowledge to meet the challenges and grab the opportunities of leadership in multidisciplinary and complex healthcare delivery. You’ll extend your knowledge in evidence based-care, and learn how to lead teams of health professionals in Australia’s healthcare systems. Our aim is to produce graduates that are career-ready. So join one of the world’s best universities under 50 years old and advance your career in healthcare.
Quick facts
- Units
4 - Duration
8 months part-time - Fees
$2,875 per unit, FEE-HELP available - Intakes
Jan, Mar, May, July, Aug, Oct
The SCU Online benefits
Evidence-based thinking
Integrate evidence-based strategies across various healthcare disciplines to drive informed decision-making and enhance leadership effectiveness.
User-friendly learning environment
Experience a seamless online learning platform that simplifies learning, making it easy to engage and progress.
Tailored for professionals
Designed with busy healthcare professionals in mind, our program offers flexibility to balance education with demanding schedules.
How does the online Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership work with SCU?
- With no exams, you’ll learn through quizzes, videos, interactive presentations and more.
- Connect with academics and students through online chat platforms and discussion boards.
- Access support throughout the course, including feedback from a learning coach and a dedicated student success advisor from enrolment through to graduation.
- Live classes are optional but encouraged for networking, while the course is self-paced.
- To make the most of your learning experience, we recommend dedicating around 20 hours per week to your studies.
A typical study period at SCU Online
Pathway to masters
The Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership provides you with the first significant step to advancing your career. If you finish your certificate and want to take your learning further, everything you complete will be credited towards your online Master of Healthcare Leadership.
Graduate Certificate
4 Units, or continue studying
Graduate Diploma
+ 4 Units, or continue studying
Masters Degree
+ 4 Units
Entry requirements
To qualify for entry into the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership, all applicants must:
- Have successfully completed a minimum three (3) year Bachelor qualification, or equivalent, in a health-related discipline; AND
- Be proficient in English.
Find out more about Rules Relating to Awards and Specific Award Rules.
Units of study
Evaluate and critically reflect on leadership, applying this knowledge to drive change and innovation.
Examine health service management from a strategic and planning perspective.
This unit explores health systems, policies and practices.
Analyse the role of accountability, as well as evaluate the concepts of professional accountability within organisations.
Get detailed information about each unit in our course guide.
Learning outcomes
Lead positive change with the ability to research and present solutions to key stakeholders using the latest evidence-based theories in health practice.
Further, develop the interpersonal skills needed for effective healthcare leadership, from social and emotional competence, leading effective learning and development of strategy.
Learn contemporary theory, compare health systems, practices and policies to improve quality and efficiencies of services by taking advantage of the latest technology.
What our students do
Our students and graduates work across many roles in the healthcare industry. Below is a snapshot of some of these roles and jobs.
- Acting Nurse Manager
- Aboriginal Health Worker
- Clinical Coach
- Clinical Nurse
- Social Work Department Manager
- Nurse Unit Manager
- Occupational Therapist
- Registered Nurse
- Speech Pathologist
Master of Healthcare Leadership graduate, Belynda Abbott shares her online student experience and why she studied her Master's at Southern Cross University.
Hi, my name is Belinda Abbott and I'm the clinical nurse consultant on ward 2C Neurosciences in the division of Surgery at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Subheading: Why did you choose to study with Southern Cross University Online? There were other universities that offered courses around nursing leadership and health management, but Southern Cross University Online was the only one that offered the interdisciplinary approach I was looking for. This approach is the actual way of the future in health care in terms of working together with other departments to provide the best practice and the best patient and consumer outcomes. Subheading: How do you find the usability of the online learning platform? Blackboard, which is the online learning platform, was extremely easy to use and navigate. It was fantastic that I could communicate and receive feedback and support from other healthcare professionals during the course through the online discussion board. Subheading: Has your perception of online study changed? I think online study has become easy-to-use since the last postgraduate course I did back in 2005. The technology has improved and the experience is far more straightforward and user-friendly. The coursework is interactive, dynamic and engaging for students. Subheading: Were you satisfied with the support available? I receive support from my very own Student Success Advisor. They contacted me on a regular basis through phone calls and email. I always knew that there was support wherever and whenever I needed it. The academics and tutors were also very supportive and encouraging throughout the course. Subheading: What was your biggest challenge? I think the biggest challenge of online study for me was to balance family, full-time work and study but I constantly tried to reflect on the reason why I was undertaking the course, which enabled me to remain organised. I believe being self driven and motivated is so important. I also had to identify times where I'd fit in study and assignment work in amongst all my other commitments. I found that some of the work I was undertaking each week could be transferred over into my own assignments. I can strongly state that Southern Cross University online has been an extremely positive experience and I've gained so much over the last two years.
Our Accreditations and Endorsements
Our online programs meet all of the AQF guidelines, ensuring quality education.
5-STAR Rating for Full-Time Employment, Overall Experience, Student Support, Learning Resources, Teaching Quality and Skills Development.
Southern Cross University is one of the world's Top 100 Young Universities.
Our postgraduate student support and satisfaction both above the national average.
The skills I have developed in this course have contributed to changes in my practice which have then been passed on to my staff and the organisation. No knowledge gained from this course has or will ever be wasted.
The course is challenging yet rewarding and relevant to healthcare professionals working in the complex environments of the Australian healthcare system. Some of the advantages of learning online is that you choose the times when you study to suit your lifestyle and being able to meet and learn with other healthcare professionals from around Australia and overseas.
My learnings have enabled me to expand my knowledge of critical thinking and with this in mind, I feel I have developed better ways to problem solve. I have also focussed more on reflective practice and self-reflection.
As a mother of two children, and working as a Clinical Coordinator at St Vincent's Private Hospital, studying a MHL at SCU Online has provided flexibility for study time, family life and work commitments.
Frequently asked questions
In some cases you can complete a graduate certificate without a bachelor’s degree.
Many Australian universities consider relevant professional experience alongside formal qualifications, particularly in fields like healthcare where leadership capability is often developed on the job.
The Graduate Certificate of Healthcare Leadership at Southern Cross University is designed for professionals already working in health or community services who want to step into leadership or supervisory roles. Admission pathways may recognise prior work experience, vocational qualifications, or other relevant learning.
This makes a graduate certificate a practical entry point for experienced professionals who want a recognised postgraduate qualification without committing to a full master’s degree upfront.
A Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership can strengthen your prospects, especially if you already work in healthcare. This program develops leadership, strategic planning, governance, health-systems knowledge and team-management skills, which can support progression into roles such as team leader, coordinator, supervisor or entry-level management positions within health services.
The Graduate Certificate of Healthcare Leadership at Southern Cross University is particularly useful for professionals aiming to move into team leader, coordinator, or emerging management roles. It can also be used as a standalone qualification or as a pathway into a related master’s degree.
For many students, the value lies in formalising experience they already have and positioning themselves more competitively for leadership opportunities.
For many professionals, a graduate certificate is worth it because it offers focused, time-efficient upskilling without the longer commitment of a full master’s degree. In Australia, graduate certificates are recognised postgraduate qualifications and are commonly used for career advancement or transition.
The Graduate Certificate of Healthcare Leadership at Southern Cross University allows students to build leadership capability in a real-world healthcare context, often while continuing to work. It can also provide credit towards further postgraduate study.
For those exploring a graduate certificate health pathway as a first step into postgraduate education, it offers flexibility, credibility, and a clear return on time invested.
