Graduate Certificate in Education (Indigenous Education)

You will engage in self-reflection and analyse your conception of the world relative to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Your ability to critically unpack the cultural contexts influencing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be sharpened, and you will gain a deeper appreciation of their experiences, strengths and knowledge. Finally, you will examine how policy impacts the way of life and sharing knowledge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and gain a deeper appreciation for the profound wisdom and its application of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Skills and tools in this course:

1. Advanced discipline-specific knowledge related to professional educational practice.
2. Reflect on and analyse your own practice to improve knowledge and skill.
3. Reflection on self and how your experiences shape your worldview.
4. Increased knowledge of Indigenous Australian culture and history.
5. Greater understanding of Indigenous Australian perspectives.
6. Knowledge of relevant policy, legislation and work practices and their impacts.

Designed for current teachers and educators working across diverse educational settings, this course deepens your understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and perspectives. You will explore how to draw on your existing pedagogical knowledge to create inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments that support Indigenous Australian students and enrich the educational experience for all learners.

Through a global lens, you will examine the ongoing impacts of colonisation and globalisation on Indigenous peoples. Locally, you’ll strengthen your understanding of the vital connections between Indigenous Australian students, families, communities, knowledge holders, and school-community liaison roles.

Grounded in a strengths-based approach, this course will help you gain valuable insights into Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing.

This course is not an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) course and does not qualify graduates for teacher registration in Australia.

Recommended study pattern

Students need to complete a total of four units.

Core units

• Indigenous Australian Knowledge Societies (EUQ657)
• Indigenous Australian Education and Policy since 1788 (EUQ658)
• Global Perspectives in Indigenous Education (EUQ659)
• Personal Journeys in Indigenous Australian Education (EUQ660).

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Education (Indigenous Education), students must complete a total of 48 credit points.

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

Indicative total fee $2,400

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 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.

QUT Online is a leading Australian university known for practical, real-world learning, strong industry connections, and global recognition. QUT equips students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make an impact in their careers and communities. Wherever you are, through Open Universities Australia, you can study flexible online programs. You’ll earn a respected qualification, gain career-ready skills, and benefit from a university experience that combines academic excellence with practical, real-world applications.

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• A completed and recognised bachelor degree (or higher qualification) in any discipline; or
• A completed recognised diploma in a relevant area, with at least two years (full-time or equivalent) professional work experience in a relevant area, or
• Five years (full-time or equivalent) professional experience in a relevant area.

Relevant work experience

• Teacher/educator/academic working in any formal education setting (i.e., early childhood, schools, special education, adult education, VET, and higher-education) or any education focussed role in other organisations or groups.
• People working in education-support roles in any formal or informal education setting (e.g., teacher aide, counselling, community education counsellors, youth/social worker, educational psychologist, chaplain, academic advisors, school nurse, school police officer).
• People working education-focussed roles in other organisations, services or groups (e.g., learning design, curriculum design and development, language and numeracy education, workplace and organisational learning/training, community and public education/training, education project management, educational research, private tutors).
• People working in education administration, leadership and management, policy or governance, and educational consulting (e.g., education departments, related statutory authorities, related professional associations, international agents, international education professionals).

For reference, individuals with qualifications or experience in the following fields may be involved in contemporary educational work.

• Teaching or education (including, education qualifications related to early childhood, primary to secondary schooling, higher education, training and development, applied learning, adult learning, community learning).
• Learning management/learning design (i.e. learning design similar qualifications)
• Career development and/or counselling
• Languages/linguistics
• Psychology/educational psychology/organisational psychology
• Sociology
• Allied health professionals (speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists)
• School based nursing (i.e. Nursing qualification)
• School based policing (i.e. Policing qualification)
• Business/commerce
• Arts (e.g. social sciences, humanities, animation/interactive media)
• Media/communication
• Human resources, management, and IT.

Five years (full-time or equivalent) professional experience in a relevant area.