Deakin University
Graduate Certificate of Health Economics
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Explore the economic principles that influence healthcare systems and begin your journey towards a leadership role that drives meaningful change.
Course overview
Get an introduction to the economic principles that shape healthcare systems with the Graduate Certificate of Health Economics. Explore microeconomics, financial evaluation and resource allocation in healthcare contexts, then learn how to harness data to become a confident decision maker. Premium online study is available for this flexible course that can be used as both a preview and a pathway to the master's degree.
The Graduate Certificate of Health Economics is designed for clinical and non-clinical health professionals who want to improve healthcare systems from the top down. It’s also suited to those from finance backgrounds looking to use their knowledge of economics to create healthier, happier communities. If you’re looking for a well-established health economics program, renowned for its academic research and led by teachers at the very forefront of the field, this is the course to take your career forward.
The course features three core units from the Master of Health Economics. These key study areas provide a grounding in contemporary health economics principles and train you in the skills you will use every day in your career, such as:
- Economic evaluation
- Resource allocation
- Priority setting
These skills allow you to make evidence-based decisions that improve how healthcare systems operate. Whether preparing a cost-benefit analysis for a new medical device or employing economic modelling to shape health insurance policies that impact thousands, you will have the skills to make confident, informed choices. You’ll also graduate with the ability to critically evaluate current research in economic policy, understand the complexities of healthcare financing and make influential contributions to health policy development and debate.
Throughout the course, you will be guided by some of the country's brightest and most experienced health economics academics. Our team is one of the largest in Australia and our academics are active contributors to the field. The insights gathered from their work and research feed back into the course, ensuring content is fresh, authentic and relevant to the sector's needs. We have academics embedded in many renowned healthcare organisations and institutes across diverse roles, ensuring you can access a mentor who aligns with your interests and career aspirations.
The course can be completed in just one year of part-time study, with flexible online study available to those with busy work schedules. Graduate with exciting career options in Australia’s fast-growing health sector and a clear pathway to Deakin's Master of Health Economics.
Key facts
July, 2026
November, 2026
What you will study
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Health Economics students must attain four credit points.
You must complete the compulsory Academic Integrity Module in your first trimester of study (zero credit point unit).
Core units:
- Health Economics 1
- Economic Evaluation 1
- Resource Allocation and Priority Setting
Plus one elective unit from the following list:
- Economic Evaluation - Theory and Practice
- Health Economics in a Global Context
- Economics for Managers
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements and individual circumstances. You must meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree, you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree or higher.
- Two years of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent).
English language requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised English-speaking country.
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent.
- Other evidence of English language proficiency (contact the university for more information).
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
- Analyse the implications of healthcare service delivery from an economic perspective, including implications for efficiency and access.
- Communicate health economic issues, including methods and results of economic appraisal, demand and supply of health care, socio-economic influences on health and the rationale for government intervention using written reports, oral presentation and digital communication technologies to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Locate and critically evaluate digital sources of health and health systems data to make health policy recommendations.
- Critically evaluate applied economic frameworks used in health economics to analyse the effects of economic policies on health services and community health, with an emphasis on cost, outcomes, efficiency and access to health care.
- Independently analyse and propose solutions to contemporary health problems from an economic perspective.
- Demonstrate effective self-management skills, autonomy and accountability that contribute to the development of lifelong learning and professionalism.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with others to complete tasks and solve problems.
- Apply the principles of health economics and evidence-based economic evaluation to the strengthening of health systems, including universal coverage.
Professional recognition
Graduates may be eligible for membership with the following professional bodies:
- Australian Health Economics Society
- Health Services Research Association of Australia and New Zealand
- International Health Economics Association
Career outcomes
The health sector is Australia’s largest and fastest growing. With more jobs and an increased demand for skilled health professionals, you will have more opportunities to take your career forward.
Use your specialised skills to confidently explore roles in:
- Pharmaceutical and health technology industries
- Health insurance
- Hospitals, community health organisations and healthcare management
- International health organisations such as WHO, UNDP, OECD, the World Bank Group and the Asian Development Bank
- Government departments such as Health and Treasury and the Productivity Commission
- Non-government agencies, research institutes and think tanks
- Corporate consulting firms
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $15,300 (domestic full-fee paying place).
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of four credit points (normally four units) per year.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.