Diploma of Health Care

The Diploma of Health Care at Griffith College is a one-year qualification that sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is a pathway programme, meaning it is built for students who want to move into a Griffith University bachelor degree in health, nursing or a related field but need to build their academic skills and subject knowledge first. You study the same kind of content you will meet in first-year health degrees: anatomy and physiology, communication in health settings, professional practice, and an introduction to how the Australian health system works. The exact units and credit points are set out in the official course documentation, so check those before you apply.

Australian diplomas are usually delivered over two or three trimesters or semesters across a single year. You enrol in units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, and you need to pass the required units to complete the diploma. Some diplomas include a work-integrated learning component, such as a placement or simulated clinical practice, depending on the field. In health care, hands-on learning matters, so ask the college directly whether placement hours are part of your diploma and what they involve. If you complete the diploma successfully, you may receive credit towards a bachelor degree, which shortens your overall study time. Credit is granted unit by unit, based on what you have passed.

You will finish with practical skills: taking a health history, communicating with patients and colleagues, understanding basic anatomy and physiology, working safely in a health environment, and knowing how to study at university level. These are the skills that let you step into the second year of a degree without falling behind. The diploma also gives you a taste of what health work is actually like before you commit to a full three-year bachelor degree.

This course suits school leavers who did not get the ATAR they needed, mature-age students returning to study, and international students who want an Australian qualification before moving into a degree. It is also a good fit if you are not sure which health career you want yet, because the diploma covers the shared ground across nursing, allied health and public health. Griffith College is located at Griffith University's Gold Coast campus, so you study on a university campus with access to university facilities. English requirements for international applicants are listed on the official page, and you should confirm the current IELTS or equivalent score, tuition fees on the CRICOS register, and intake dates directly with the college.

• Health administration officer, hospitals, community health centres and private clinics across Australia.
• Support worker, aged care, disability services and community health organisations.
• Pathway to nursing or allied health, use the diploma to enter a Griffith University bachelor degree in nursing, health science or a related area.
• Assistant roles in public health, state health departments, local councils and non-government health organisations.
• Further study, continue into a bachelor degree, then register as a nurse or health professional if you choose that path.

International graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after completing a qualifying Australian qualification. While studying, student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. Check current visa rules with the Department of Home Affairs.