Graduate Diploma in Palliative and End-of-Life Care

On completion of the course you will be able to:

1. Synthesise evidence to inform implementation of quality care.
2. Demonstrate extended skills in critical self-reflection that have application to your discipline and interdisciplinary clinical practice.
3. Critically appraise approaches to the management of common palliative and end-of-life practice contexts that considers the needs of the individual, families and carers.

This course aims to provide an expanded understanding of end-of-life care across health and community sectors that will enable students to confidently apply advanced knowledge and skills to palliative and end-of-life care across a range of practice settings.

Recommended study pattern

You’ll complete 8 topics and develop advanced skills in delivering compassionate, evidence-based care in palliative and end-of-life settings. Through practical projects and case-based learning, you’ll enhance your ability to support patients and families, address complex care needs, and contribute to the development of policies and practices in palliative care.

Core Topics

• Introduction to the Study of End-of-Life and Palliative Care
• Clinical Research Methods
• Communication at the End of Life
• Loss, Grief and Bereavement in Palliative and End-of-Life Care.

Elective Topics

• Neonatal and Paediatric Palliative Care
• Cancer and Palliative Care
• Spirituality in Palliative and End-of-Life Care
• Palliative Care and Ageing
• Suffering, Futility and Ethics in Palliative and End-of-Life Care
• Palliative Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Adolescent and Young Adult Palliative Care
• Foundations of Palliative Clinical Assessment and Management
• Clinical Management in Palliative and End-of-Life Care
• End-of-Life Care in Acute Care Settings
• Rehabilitation Approaches for People with Palliative Care Needs
• Complex Palliative Clinical Management and Decision Making.

Award requirements

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Palliative and End-of-Life Care, students must complete 36 units with a grade of Pass (P) or Non-Graded Pass (NGP) or better in each topic, following the program of study detailed in the course handbook.

Exit points

• Graduate Certificate in Palliative and End-of-Life Care: Students who have successfully completed 18 units of study, including core topics, may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Palliative and End-of-Life Care.
• Pathway to the Master of Palliative and End-of-Life Care: Upon completion of the Graduate Diploma, students may continue their studies into the Master of Palliative and End-of-Life Care, with credit granted for completed topics.

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

Indicative total fee $9,314

The amounts shown here are 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.

Flinders University is a globally-focused, locally-engaged institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research. They offer world‐class education that develops the critical and creative thinking skills to support a student’s success. Their courses offered through Open Universities Australia span business, education and law. They are designed with flexibility in mind, while delivering the advanced qualifications to take careers to the next step.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

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20

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant health or social care discipline such as nursing, medicine, allied health, psychology, social work, or counselling from an Australian university or an equivalent overseas institution.
• Graduate Certificate pathway: Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Palliative and End-of-Life Care may provide entry into the graduate diploma, with credit granted for completed topics.

Applicants with advanced VET qualifications (such as a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in a health, social care, or aged care-related field) may be considered for admission, particularly if combined with relevant work experience.

Applicants must also have a minimum of two years' full-time equivalent professional experience in the health sector or closely related field by the commencement date of the course.

Flinders University conducts an English Language proficiency check on applications submitted for consideration to its courses. 

This will be met in a number of ways, including if the applicants: 

• first language is English (i.e. citizenship is held for a country where English is the official language)
• completed secondary schooling in Australia
• completed prior study in English (e.g. a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised Australian training institution)
• completed one semester of full-time equivalent tertiary study at a higher education institution 
• completed a recognised Foundation Studies or bridging program 
• performance in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) meets the University's admissions requirements 
• registered with an Australian professional registration body relevant to the applicant's proposed course (e.g. applicant holds current registration as a Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Teacher, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and such in Australia)
• achieved a score within an international English language proficiency test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge CAE that meets the minimum proficiency for the university
• completed an approved English language course from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Provider.

In some instances, applicants may be asked to provide evidence they meet the requirements if the information required is not available in their application. 

Credit transfer may be granted, on application, for prior study completed in a relevant honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master degree; accredited professional development; or relevant work experience. Applications for credit transfer are assessed on a case by case basis according to Flinders University policies. Students must be made an offer for entry into a degree before lodging their completed credit transfer application, along with all necessary documentation for formal assessment.