Key details
Duration
Intake
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
40Course code
Overview
The Graduate Certificate of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response is designed for students to gain essential knowledge and skills in the local, national and international health related aspects of preparedness and response for disasters. The two core units provide foundation health and disaster system based knowledge and using the context of natural disasters develop the knowledge of how emergency medical teams prepare and respond to disasters. The specialist electives provide an opportunity for students to gain specialist knowledge in areas of interest including human made and communicable disease disasters.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees

Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to upskill in the field of healthcare. Advance your career with CDU's wide range of postgraduate health courses to develop specialist skills and knowledge that help you transition into leadership roles.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 5 Australian university for postgraduate teaching quality in health services and support (GUG 2024)
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance

Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance

Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to upskill in the field of healthcare. Advance your career with CDU's wide range of postgraduate health courses to develop specialist skills and knowledge that help you transition into leadership roles.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 5 Australian university for postgraduate teaching quality in health services and support (GUG 2024)
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance

Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
What will I study?
This 40-credit point course consists of two core units in health emergency preparedness and response and two elective units building on the foundation of core unit knowledge.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
Core Units (2 unit) | 20cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below. HEA585 Fundamentals of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response |
Specialist Electives (2 units) | 20cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 20 credit points selected from the units listed below. DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in Context |
40cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Course Changes from 2022
HEA587 Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to Human Made Disasters added as a Specialist Elective.
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full time or part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use these as a guide to create an individual study plan.
Full-time Study Plan
Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
HEA585 Fundamentals of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response | CO | ||
HEA586 Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters | CO | ||
Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
Specialist Elective 2 | SE |
Part-time Study Plan
Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
HEA585 Fundamentals of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response | CO | Specialist Elective 1 | SE |
HEA586 Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters | CO | Specialist Elective 2 | SE |
Specialist Elective (SE) units may be selected from the following:
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
HEA583 Domestic and International Logistics | HEA584 Human System Extremes | ||
PHM592 Global Health | HEA587 Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to Human Made Disasters | ||
PHM516 Indigenous Health | HEA588 Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to Communicable Diseases | ||
PHM567 Public Health | PHM593 Tropical Child and Adolescent Health | ||
DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in Context | DEM512 Interdisciplinary Aspects of Emergency and Disaster Management | ||
DEM513 Leadership in Emergency and Disaster Management | |||
DEM514 Cultural, Social and Psychological Aspects of Emergency and Disaster Management |
Students commencing in Semester 2
This course is not available for entry in Semester 2 2023.
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master's degree, or equivalent international qualification in a suitable area of study, ie. medicine, nursing, paramedicine, environmental health, logistic or health emergency.
Applicants with a degree in business, management, commerce and law may be considered if they have completed units in health related fields.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student

My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.
Nishat
CDU student

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student

My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.
Nishat
CDU student

Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC or TAS.
UAC
UAC is the application channel for residents of NSW.
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