Graduate Diploma in Health and Medical Law – Melbourne
ME University of Melbourne logo
Graduate Diploma Law (JD) Full Time

Graduate Diploma in Health and Medical Law

at University of Melbourne · Melbourne, Victoria

CRICOS course code

075329K

CRICOS provider code

00116K

This course is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. Verify it yourself at cricos.education.gov.au before paying any fee.

Duration

26 weeks

Tuition (whole course)

A$30,496 total

Per year

A$60,992/yr

Intake

Semester 1 (Feb/Mar), Semester 2 (Jul)

About this program

The Graduate Diploma in Health and Medical Law at the University of Melbourne provides advanced legal education tailored to the intricate intersection of law, health, and medicine in Australia. Delivered over 26 weeks, this graduate diploma is structured to deepen your understanding of legal aspects affecting healthcare professionals, bioethics, patient rights, medical negligence, and public health policy. It is ideally suited to individuals from legal, medical, nursing, and allied health backgrounds seeking to specialise or broaden their knowledge in health law or navigate the complexities of Australia’s healthcare system.

Students undertake a set of units of study, each offering a designated number of credit points, culminating in comprehensive expertise in subjects such as the regulation of healthcare professionals, privacy and confidentiality, consent to medical treatment, and the legal landscape of emerging health technologies. The programme is designed to combine theoretical foundations with practical case analysis, addressing real-world legal challenges encountered in healthcare settings.

The qualification aligns with Australian Quality Framework (AQF) standards for graduate diplomas, fostering both academic rigour and practical competency. The course may include work-integrated learning experiences, simulations, and opportunities to draw on strong industry and research links Melbourne offers as a leading public university closely connected to the city’s renowned health and medical precincts. This programme is suitable for professionals and graduates who wish to enhance their employability or are preparing for further study such as a Master or JD in law.

Graduates develop pivotal skills in legal research, policy analysis, problem-solving, and ethical reasoning, all vital for advising on or addressing legal issues in healthcare. International students are required to demonstrate English proficiency at a high level (typically IELTS 7.0 or higher for law), as stipulated for legal studies. The diploma is CRICOS-registered and eligible international students may work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study and potentially qualify for post-study work rights under the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). Confirm the latest details on the official university site.

Entry requirements

English: International applicants must evidence English proficiency. IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common undergraduate and coursework-postgraduate standard, rising to 7.0–7.5 for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university’s own English programmes are accepted as equivalents; the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself.
International students: Registered on CRICOS for international students. A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for this course supports a Student visa (subclass 500) application; Overseas Student Health Cover is required for the full duration.

Career outcomes

  • Health and medical law advisor in hospitals or government departments
  • Policy officer in health or medical regulatory bodies
  • Legal practitioner (with appropriate admission) specialising in health law
  • Compliance officer in pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare organisations
  • Consultant for medical indemnity insurers or advocacy groups
  • Researcher or academic in health law and policy
  • Roles in health-related NGOs and peak bodies

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Graduate Diploma in Health and Medical Law at University of Melbourne?

It typically takes 26 weeks, with intakes in Semester 1 (Feb/Mar), Semester 2 (Jul).

How much is the tuition?

Tuition is around A$30,496 total. Fees change yearly, confirm with an advisor.

What are the career outcomes?

Health and medical law advisor in hospitals or government departmentsPolicy officer in health or medical regulatory bodiesLegal practitioner (with appropriate admission) specialising in health lawCompliance officer in pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare organisationsConsultant...

Guides for this subject and the application

All guides →

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