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.

Entry requirements

Key information

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Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a listed health discipline and 1+ years' of relevant professional health sector experience

See entry requirements Download brochure

Direct Entry

Yes

Duration

0.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)

Start Dates

March

July

Annual Fees

2025 : $4,657 (CSP)

2025 : (FFP)

Delivery mode

Online

Practical experience

Not available

Study abroad

Not available

English language requirements

English language requirements by country

Make a difference when it matters most with palliative care.

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 nursing, medicine, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, speech pathology, dietetics, midwifery, pharmacy or paramedicine.

World-leading expertise in palliative care

Study online under internationally respected educators and researchers in palliative and end-of-life care, supported by Flinders’ strong collaborations with industry and government.

Flexible, online learning designed for working professionals

Delivered fully online and available part-time or full-time with March and July start dates, this six-month course fits seamlessly around your professional and personal commitments.

Stackable pathway to advanced qualifications

Complete four topics to earn the Graduate Certificate, which provides a direct pathway into the Graduate Diploma and Master of Palliative and End-of-Life Care, creating a clear and progressive academic journey.

Deep, evidence-based and patient-centred learning shaped by pioneering industry partnerships

Backed by the latest research from the Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying and guided by experts across Australia, this course keeps your learning practical, relevant and compassionate.

Scholarships are a great way to ease the financial challenges of university study

Flinders has scholarships for high achievers, those in need of financial aid, indigenous, rural, and STEM students.

Find out if you're eligible.

What you will study

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

Course handbook

Core Topics

Communication at the end of life
End-of-life and palliative care

Option topics

Loss, grief and bereavement
Clinical assessment and management
Ageing
Cancer
Suffering, futility and ethics
Rehabilitation
Clinical management and decision making
Neonatal and paediatric
Spirituality
Palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Adolescent and young adult
End-of-life care in acute care settings

More option topics

Suffering, futility and ethics in palliative and end-of-life care
Rehabilitation for people with palliative care needs
Palliative clinical management and decision making

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

You could be a

Expected salary
$195,000^*

Expected salary
$110,000^*

Expected salary
$92,000^*

Expected salary
$80,000^*

Expected salary
$89,000^*

Potential occupations

You could be a

Expected salary
$195,000^*

Expected salary
$110,000^*

Expected salary
$92,000^*

Expected salary
$80,000^*

Expected salary
$89,000^*

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.

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.

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

Get inspired

Discover more about Palliative and End-of-Life Care.

Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death & Dying: Caring Futures Institute

Samir Dhodari

Learning materials are easy to understand, and I am grateful to supportive teaching team, who are easily approachable, helping to enrich professional skills and personal growth.

Meet your academics

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

Kristina Walsh

Course Coordinator, Palliative Care

See full profile

Kristina Walsh is a registered nurse with a Master of Nursing and a strong background in community and palliative care. As a District Nurse Specialist Practitioner (UK), she has extensive clinical experience supporting individuals with life-limiting illnesses in their homes in the UK, regional Queensland and South Australia.

Associate Professor Jason Mills

Academic Lead, Palliative Care

See full profile

Associate Professor Jason Mills is Academic Lead for Palliative and End of Life Care in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. He holds fellowships with the Australian College of Nursing and the Higher Education Academy, and contributes to evidence-based practice through the Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying.

Entry requirements

To be accepted into this course, applicants must meet 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.

Three qualifications in one

Flinders University offers staggered qualifications as you complete certain milestones. Finish four topics and you’ll receive a Graduate Certificate. Finish another four topics, and you’ll receive a Graduate Diploma. Complete a further four topics in addition to those, and you will be awarded a Masters.

6-month

Complete 4 topics to earn
Graduate Certificate in Palliative and End-of-Life Care

12-month

Complete 8 topics to earn
Graduate Diploma in Palliative and End-of-Life Care

18-month

Complete 18 topics to earn
Master of Palliative and End-of-Life Care

How to apply in 4 easy steps

Step 1

Choose your course

Select your preferred course.

Step 2

Requirements

Check the entry requirements and your eligibility.

Step 3

Key dates

Confirm the key application and enrolment dates.

Step 4

Submit application

Apply and submit your application via Direct Entry.

Apply now 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

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted directly with Flinders.

You can apply for up to three courses in order of preference in your application. More information is available in the Application Guide.

Flinders Online Application guide

I've applied - what happens next?

Normally, we will inform you of the outcome of your application within 3-5 working days after submission.

If further information is required, we will contact you via email with details on what is needed and how to provide it.

Are HELP Loans available?

Yes, government-supported HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP loan area available to help eligible students pay for their higher education tuition fees.

HECS-HELP is for students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) to cover their student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP is for eligible domestic fee-paying students to cover their full tuition fees.

Both loans are indexed to reflect changes in the cost of living but are otherwise interest free. HELP Loans must be repaid through the tax system once your income reaches a certain threshold, with payments increasing as your earnings rise.