Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies will have:

• a systematic and coherent body of knowledge of contemporary theoretical, policy and practice knowledge from a wide range of medical, allied health, rehabilitation, and health/disability insurance fields
• specialised knowledge of:
  • contemporary social and disability policy
  • historic and contemporary global and national approaches to disability rights and reform o the impacts of disability and disabling conditions on the diverse population groups of Australia including urban, rural and regional Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and culturally diverse Australians o case-management including person-centred approaches to disability (a core principle of the National Disability Insurance Scheme)
  • vocational rehabilitation and training o key disability networks and alliances.
• knowledge of the shift from the welfare and medical models of service delivery to a marketised (insurance model) and inclusive,social model of individualised servicesto people with disabilities.

Gain a critical understanding of disability

Strengthen your understanding of the diverse experiences, needs and perspectives of people with disability in this graduate certificate. You will explore historical and contemporary views and first-person narratives on disability to work alongside people with disabilities and understand their perspectives more effectively, placing their lived experienced at the centre of your understanding and practice. This program is guided by inclusion and civil rights and the knowledge that disability is just one influence shaping people's lives.

You will explore policy, program, service and practice issues such as the history and purpose of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS); global and Australian historical and contemporary responses to disability rights; contemporary case-management and person-centred approaches to service delivery; and the development of inclusive practices that value lived experiences and meet the diverse needs of all Australians with a disability.

Industry and expert connections

You will be immersed in accounts of the lived experiences of people with a disability, gaining insight from the insider perspective and examining personal narratives including memoirs, autobiographies and documentary films of, or by, people with a disability. It's this perspective that is crucial to delivering patient-centred services such as health and education to people with a disability. Working alongside student-peers, you'll engage with these topics in seminars, online forums and through groupwork under the supervision of some of Australia's leading academics in this field.

Graduate outcomes

This is an attractive credential if you are already working with, or wish to work with, people with disability in a range of fields including rehabilitation, human services, disability support, health, and disability and health insurance. People from a range of professions benefit from the lessons of this degree, from nurses, doctors, teachers, social workers, carers, and many more.

Flexibility

Study anytime, anywhere - This degree is available online through our Digital campus, giving you more room to fit university with your work and social life.

Recommended study pattern

The Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies is a part-time program and is offered online only.

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• The Lived Experience of Disability
• Disability Inclusion
• Disability Theories and Approaches.

Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

For the award of Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies (GCertDisSt), you must successfully

Complete 40 credit points comprising:

• 40 credit points for all Foundation Module

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $14,250

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying part-time, which is typically 4 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia.

Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

To be eligible for this program you must meet one of the following criteria:

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher)
• two years relevant work experience
• a Certificate IV or Diploma - VET/TAFE qualification in a related discipline and one-year relevant work experience
• a combination of formal study, informal and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to either of the above

Related disciplines include social or behavioural sciences, disability services/support, rehabilitation, family support, mental health support, community development/welfare, youth work, aged care or related human services fields, First Peoples welfare and support services, psychology, social work, nursing, education, criminology, arts, public health, health science

Relevant work experience includes community services, disability services/support, rehabilitation, family support, mental health support, community development/welfare, youth work, aged care or related human services fields, First Peoples welfare and support services, psychology, social work, nursing, education, criminology

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR an overall score of 79 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19 (applies to tests taken prior to 21 January 2026)
• OR an overall score of 4 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with a minimum score of 4 in each of the listening, reading, and writing skills, and a minimum score of 3.5 in speaking skills (applies to tests taken on or after 21 January 2026)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50 (applies to tests taken prior to 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 55 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 47 (applies to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 70 in the LanguageCert Academic
• OR an overall score of 59 in the Michigan English Test (MET)

English test results must be no more than two years old.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this program.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University procedure for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Admission Procedure

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.