Graduate Certificate in Palliative and End-of-Life Care | Flinders Online

Graduate Certificate in

Palliative and End-of-Life Care

Graduate Certificate in

Palliative and End-of-Life-Care

Learn from world leaders in palliative care education and provide exceptional end-of-life care to your patients.

Apply now

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Fast Facts

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree in health and 1+ years' professional work experience in health

See entry requirements

Duration

5 months

Delivery mode

Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

March, July

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$12,852 (FFP)
$4,657 (CSP)

Available for midyear entry?

Yes

Duration

5 months

Delivery mode

Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

March, July

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$12,852 (FFP)
$4,657 (CSP)

Available for midyear entry?

Yes

Overview

Overview Course details Career opportunities Testimonials Entry requirements Enquire now

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Study palliative and end-of-life care at Flinders

Make a difference when it matters most with palliative care.

Study palliative and end-of-life care at Flinders

Make a difference when it matters most with palliative care.

Flinders University is ranked in the top 2% globally and No. 1 in Australia for postgraduate employment*.

Our Graduate Certificate in Palliative and End of Life Care will equip you with essential skills that will enhance your clinical practice. You’ll deliver exceptional care to patients and their carers across diverse health services, including acute hospitals, community services, aged care, and palliative care.

Designed for health professionals in medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, speech pathology, dietetics, midwifery, pharmacy or paramedicine.

*THE World University Rankings 2023 & QILT 2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey-longitudinal.

What you will study

You’ll complete 2 core topics and 2 option topics to tailor your studies to your career.

What you will study

You’ll complete 2 core topics and 2 option topics to tailor your studies to your career.

Core topics

Communication at the End-of-Life
Introduction to the Study of End-of-Life and Palliative Care

Other option topics

Communication at the End of Life
Suffering, Futility and Ethics in Palliative and End-of-Life Care
Rehabilitation Approaches for People with Palliative Care Needs
Complex Palliative Clinical Management and Decision Making

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Course handbook

Your career

The palliative and end-of-life care workforce is growing across health care settings. Organisations need staff with the specialist skills and attitudes provided by this course, whether you are experienced or a graduate with basic palliative care skills. This course can give you opportunities to work in areas like rural and remote care, hospitals, aged care, hospices and community services.

Your career

The palliative and end-of-life care workforce is growing across health care settings. Organisations need staff with the specialist skills and attitudes provided by this course, whether you are experienced or a graduate with basic palliative care skills. This course can give you opportunities to work in areas like rural and remote care, hospitals, aged care, hospices and community services.

Potential occupations

General Practitioner

Registered Nurse

Social Worker

Occupational Therapist

Physiotherapist

$195,000

$110,000

$92,000

$80,000

$89,000

*Typical salaries are drawn from a variety of sources, including Seek, Glassdoor and Indeed, and may vary. Please do your own research.

Potential employers

Hospitals
Hospices
Residential aged care
Community care

Potential occupations

General Practitioner

Registered Nurse

Social Worker

Occupational Therapist

Physiotherapist

$195,000

$110,000

$92,000

$80,000

$89,000

*Typical salaries are drawn from a variety of sources, including Seek, Glassdoor and Indeed, and may vary. Please do your own research.

Potential employers

Hospitals
Hospices
Residential aged care
Community care

Practical experience

Learn through interactive and practical activities designed to engage and challenge you.

You’ll investigate, analyse, and debate real-world health issues, enabling you to apply new concepts in your practice.

Practical experience

Learn through interactive and practical activities designed to engage and challenge you.

You’ll investigate, analyse, and debate real-world health issues, enabling you to apply new concepts in your practice.

Flinders University is a future
you can count on

Flinders University is a future you can count on

Flinders University is ranked top 2% globally*

No. 1 in Australia for postgraduate employment**

Flexible online study - study anywhere, anytime and start, stop and restart your studies when life allows

Leaders in palliative care - Learn from passionate teachers and researchers who are recognised internationally for their contributions to end-of-life care

Person-centred care - Our curriculum, designed in collaboration with industry partners, equips students to deliver personalised and compassionate care.

In-demand skills - Learn essential skills in communication at the end of life, handling loss, grief and bereavement, palliative care clinical assessment and management.

Flinders University is ranked top 2% globally*

No. 1 in Australia for postgraduate employment**

Flexible online study - study anywhere, anytime and start, stop and restart your studies when life allows

Leaders in palliative care - Learn from passionate teachers and researchers who are recognised internationally for their contributions to end-of-life care

Person-centred care - Our curriculum, designed in collaboration with industry partners, equips students to deliver personalised and compassionate care.

In-demand skills - Learn essential skills in communication at the end of life, handling loss, grief and bereavement, palliative care clinical assessment and management.

*THE World University Rankings 2023
**QILT 2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey-longitudinal

Get inspired

Graduate Certificate in Palliative and End-of-Life Care

Learn about Palliative and End-of-Life Care at Flinders with Associate Professor Kim Devery.

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to the industry.

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to the industry.

Dr Caroline Phelan

Course Coordinator, Palliative Care

Caroline is a Senior Lecturer in Ageing and Palliative Care. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including intensive care, adult and paediatric hospitals, community and outpatient clinics.  She has been active in interdisciplinary research with health practitioners and scientists across medicine, nursing and allied health disciplines. Caroline is a member of the Flinders Research Centre for Palliative Care Death & Dying.

See full profile

Dr Caroline Phelan

Course Coordinator, Palliative Care

Show less

Caroline is a Senior Lecturer in Ageing and Palliative Care. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including intensive care, adult and paediatric hospitals, community and outpatient clinics.  She has been active in interdisciplinary research with health practitioners and scientists across medicine, nursing and allied health disciplines. Caroline is a member of the Flinders Research Centre for Palliative Care Death & Dying.

See full profile

Associate Professor Deidre Morgan

Academic Lead, Palliative Care

With 25 years’ experience as an occupational therapist, Deidre specialises in palliative care, focusing on optimising function at the end of life. She coordinates Master of Palliative Care research topics, mentors students and is an inaugural member of the Flinders University Research Centre in Palliative Care, Death and Dying. Deidre is also the founding chair of Australian Allied Health in Palliative Care (AAHPC).

See full profile

Associate Professor Deidre Morgan

Academic Lead, Palliative Care

Show less

With 25 years’ experience as an occupational therapist, Deidre specialises in palliative care, focusing on optimising function at the end of life. She coordinates Master of Palliative Care research topics, mentors students and is an inaugural member of the Flinders University Research Centre in Palliative Care, Death and Dying. Deidre is also the founding chair of Australian Allied Health in Palliative Care (AAHPC).

See full profile

Dr Caroline Phelan

Course Coordinator, Palliative Care

Caroline is a Senior Lecturer in Ageing and Palliative Care. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including intensive care, adult and paediatric hospitals, community and outpatient clinics.  She has been active in interdisciplinary research with health practitioners and scientists across medicine, nursing and allied health disciplines. Caroline is a member of the Flinders Research Centre for Palliative Care Death & Dying.

See full profile

Associate Professor Deidre Morgan

Academic Lead, Palliative Care

With 25 years’ experience as an occupational therapist, Deidre specialises in palliative care, focusing on optimising function at the end of life. She coordinates Master of Palliative Care research topics, mentors students and is an inaugural member of the Flinders University Research Centre in Palliative Care, Death and Dying. Deidre is also the founding chair of Australian Allied Health in Palliative Care (AAHPC).

See full profile

Entry requirements

To be accepted into this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following entry requirements:

hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in dietetics, medicine, midwifery, nursing, occupational therapy, paramedic science, pharmacy, physiotherapy, psychology, speech pathology or social work; and
must also have at least one year full-time equivalent professional experience in the health sector or closely related field.

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Why study the Master of Business Administration Future Business?

It’s a course designed for professionals looking to develop their skills in leadership, strategy and artificial intelligence, and can be completed in 12 months. Our optional 12-week industry placement makes this MBA perfect for gaining exposure to new industries or re-entering the workforce. 

Am I eligible to study a Flinders MBA?

To view the admission requirements for the MBA, refer to the Handbook. Generally speaking, you’ll either need to hold a bachelor’s degree from an approved tertiary institution or the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (which can be accessed by proving prior work experience). 

Do you need a degree to study an MBA?

Not necessarily. See the answer above for more information on eligibility. To view the admission requirements for the MBA, refer to the Handbook.

Is an MBA worth it?

Yes, in many ways. Not only will it help you to build your networks, improve your confidence and knowledge, and give you access to sought-after industry experience, but salaries for MBA graduates tend to be higher than for those with just a bachelor’s degree.

How to apply?

Select your preferred course.

Check the entry requirements and your eligibility.

Check the key application and enrolment dates.

Apply and submit your application via Direct Entry.

Who is eligible to apply?

Flinders Online courses are available for Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas and Pacific Engagement visa holders.

International students in Australia who hold a student visa are not eligible to apply.

For further information regarding course eligibility, refer to the individual entry requirements for each course.

When do I apply?

You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and by no later than teaching commencement dates. If places fill, applications for your preferred start date may close without notice and you will be considered for the next available intake.

Semester 1: teaching commences 3 March 2025 – Applications close 28 February 2025
Semester 2: teaching commences 28 July 2025 – Applications close 25 July 2025

Some courses have non-standard semester commencement dates as follows:

February Study Period: teaching commences 24 February 2025 – Applications close 21 February 2025
June Study Period: teaching commences 30 June 2025 – Applications close 27 June 2025
September Study Period: teaching commences 29 September 2025 – Applications close 26 September 2025

Please refer to the individual Flinders Online course for more information.

Other critical and key dates