Overview

Learn how to effectively manage and optimise a workforce with the Graduate Certificate of Human Resource Management. Study employee relations, workplace diversity and inclusion, and develop the core capabilities required to lead people effectively in a rapidly changing business environment with this professionally accredited course.

View the Graduate Certificate of Human Resource Management course handbook
You're invited to our 2025 Study Expo

Join us this January to meet academics, browse courses, get application help, explore our Hawthorn campus and find out all you need to know about starting in Semester 1.

Upgrade your skills

  • Application of HR concepts
  • Problem solving and critical thinking related to HR activities
  • Effective communication
  • Knowledge of the contribution of HR to organisations

Stretch your career further

Students can enhance their career opportunities by gaining additional leadership and management skills – an important asset in a today’s complex and changing business environment. The below examples demonstrate the types of roles graduates can attain.

  • Human Resources Assistant
  • Human Resources Officer
  • Recruiter
  • Training and Development Coordinator
  • HR Specialist
  • HR Generalist

Key codes

CRICOS course code
092706D
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Strong industry connections and co-creation

An important part of the co-creation of this course with industry partners are the site visits to workplaces such as Siemens and Medibank. This way you’ll get a sense of culture and see how HR works in the real world.

Hear more about the industry experiences in this course and the edge this engagement will give you.

Professional accreditations

Industry partners

Why Swinburne?

Top 5% of the world’s higher education business schools

91.1% of graduates found employment within 4 months of finishing.

The median income for PG graduates one year out is $79.5K

Business graduate employers include Telstra, NAB, ANZ and IBM

  • ‘Once I got started and found out how much I enjoyed not only the subject matter but the interactions with the lecturers and other students, I upgraded to the Masters of HRM. Pretty much every major assignment I have completed I have been able to take learnings from and apply to my role as an HR Officer.’

    Andrew , Master of Human Resource Management

Qualifications

Applicants are required to have one of the following: 

  • a bachelor degree (or higher award) in a related discipline from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent; or
  • a recognised bachelor degree (or higher award) in any discipline, plus a minimum of two years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience*; or
  • a minimum of three years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* 
     

*Relevant professional/managerial experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Faculty PVC (or delegate) with reference to faculty-determined guiding principles. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application. 

Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration, as well as evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.

Applicants are required to have one of the following: 

  • a bachelor degree (or higher award) in a related discipline from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent; or
  • a recognised bachelor degree (or higher award) in any discipline PLUS a minimum of two years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience*; or
  • a minimum of three years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* 
  • TOEFL iBT: minimum score 79 (Reading no less than 18, Writing no less than 20)

*Relevant professional/managerial experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Faculty PVC (or delegate) with reference to faculty-determined guiding principles. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application. 

Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration, as well as evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

How credit points work

To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Human Resource Management, students must complete 50 credit points comprising of four core units of study.

4
Core units
=
Graduate Certificate

Nested programs

The Graduate Certificate of Human Resource Management forms the first stage in a nested suite of programs. Continue studying with the:

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Opportunity Discovery, Creativity and Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ENT60009
Employee Relations
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
HRM60013
Human Resource Fundamentals
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
HRM60018
Managing Workplace Diversity and Inclusion
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
HRM70012
Want to learn more about this course?

Learn more about the Graduate Certificate of Human Resource Management in the course handbook.

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$16,840

Total fee* ($AUD)

$16,840

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$23,280.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

How do I pay my fees?

FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Finances
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
  • are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
  • have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
     

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
GC-HRM
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! 

Course code
GC-HRM
Apply directly
Course code
GC-HRM
CRICOS code
092706D
Apply directly
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Block 1 intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
29-January-2025
Start dates
03-February-2025
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
Term 4
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
17-September-2025
Start dates
22-September-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Block 1 intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-February-2025
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-August-2025
Term 4
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
22-September-2025
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
21-January-2025