University of New South Wales
Graduate Certificate in Sustainment Management
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Build capability in asset and sustainment management, developing the managerial, technical and analytical knowledge to support complex technology and systems across their operational life cycles.
Course overview
Keeping complex technology and systems effective over their operating life requires both strategic management and technical understanding. The Graduate Certificate in Sustainment Management at UNSW Canberra supports professional managers seeking to develop capabilities relevant to asset acquisition, management and sustainment.
You’ll explore analytical tools and systems used to manage assets across their lifecycle, from planning and acquisition through to long-term performance and reliability. Learning connects technical considerations with commercial, operational and managerial decision-making, with particular relevance to Defence and other complex capability environments.
Asset management forms the foundation of the course, supported by options spanning strategic and change management, logistics, procurement and outsourcing. Electives can extend learning into systems engineering, requirements, test and evaluation, risk, project management or specialised Defence technology.
Delivered online, the qualification can be completed in six months full-time or one to two years part-time. It may support career development across acquisition, asset management, logistics, maintenance, capability management and sustainment, while its interdisciplinary structure bridges business and engineering perspectives.
"The student community collectively inspire and encourage my individual career goals." Shirelle Altona, Current Student
Key facts
12th July, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Sustainment Management, you must successfully complete units totalling 24 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.
Complete the following:
- Asset Management
Select 6-18 credit points from the following:
- Strategic Management
- Change Management
- Logistics Management
- Strategic Procurement and Outsourcing
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To gain entry into the Graduate Certificate in Sustainment Management, an applicant must meet one of the following entry requirements:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree with honours in the same or a related discipline* from a recognised institution.
- Completion of a graduate diploma or graduate certificate in a related discipline from a recognised institution.
- Completion of a bachelor's degree in the same or a related discipline from a recognised institution and completion of at least three years of relevant full-time professional experience.
- Completion of a bachelor's degree in a non-related discipline and completion of at least four years of relevant full-time professional experience.
- Evidence of other qualifications and professional experience to be assessed as acceptable grounds for admission into the program by the relevant Program Authority. In certain circumstances, students may be required to undertake and successfully complete a relevant non-award course as a condition for admission into the program. This non-award course may also be credited towards the program upon admission.
*Related discipline/s: Business, management, economics, accounting, information technology, information systems, engineering, human resource management, project management, public policy, marketing management and law.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Communicate effectively to transmit strategic people management knowledge to a range of audiences and be capable of independent and collaborative inquiry.
- Synthesise disciplinary knowledge and skills to achieve organisational objectives in a range of procurement management contexts.
- Analyse procurement management issues and develop appropriate solutions, through critical thinking and problem solving skills that ensure efficient and effective outcomes.
- Support sustainment issues in a wider management context so as to ensure the best outcomes organisation wide.
Career outcomes
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Sustainment Management is designed for those entering or aspiring to develop a sustainment career.
Potential roles:
- Acquisition Manager
- Asset Manager
- Contract Manager
- Defence Capability Manager
- Defence Logistics Specialist
- Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) Manager
- Lifecycle Manager
- Maintenance Manager
- Procurement Manager
- Program Manager
- Sustainment Manager
- Supply Chain Manager
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $20,500 (Full-fee paying place)
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- 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 program.