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The information below will be relevant from 14/07/2025.
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CM83 - Graduate Diploma of Sustainable Development

Overview

Course Overview

The Graduate Diploma of Sustainable Development offers an in-depth exploration of sustainability principles and practices, preparing you to tackle complex environmental challenges and promote sustainable development across various sectors. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of key themes in environmental sustainability, including climate change adaptation, sustainable resource management, and environmental policy.

You will also delve into broader aspects of sustainability, such as social equity, economic viability and governance frameworks. Through interdisciplinary coursework and case studies, you will gain critical skills and knowledge to develop and implement effective sustainability strategies. The Graduate Diploma is designed for professionals aiming to enhance their expertise and lead sustainability initiatives within organisations, communities and industries.

Graduates will emerge with the ability to integrate sustainable practices into their professional roles, drive positive environmental outcomes, and contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development. This course serves as a standalone qualification or as a stepping stone towards further advanced studies in sustainability.

Career Information

Completing the Graduate Diploma of Sustainability will equip you for mid-level roles such as sustainability consultant, project manager, or community engagement officer. You’ll have the opportunity to work in areas like environmental management, urban planning, or corporate social responsibility, where you can lead sustainability initiatives and drive organisational change.

Course Details
Duration 1 years full-time or 2 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 48
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Postgraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) GradDipSustDev
AQF Level Level 8: Graduate Diploma

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes 		Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes 		Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
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The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 3 - 2026

Melbourne
Online

Term 2 - 2026

Melbourne
Online

Term 1 - 2026

Melbourne
Online

Term 3 - 2025

Melbourne
Online

Term 2 - 2025

Melbourne
Online
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International Availability

Term 3 - 2026

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2026

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2026

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 3 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Academic Requirements

Entry Requirements 

To be eligible for entry into this course, you must demonstrate:

  • a completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent Bachelor degree, or higher equivalent qualification.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America, you are required to meet the English language proficiency requirements set by the University. 

You are required to provide documentation confirming completion of: 

  • a secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or 
  • a completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV or Diploma level qualification, or 
  • a Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0. 

These qualifications must be completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or the United States of America to meet the English language proficiency requirements.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or 
  • a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT overall score of at least 75 with no score less than 17 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
  • a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) overall score of at least 54 with no score less than 46 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or 
  • an Occupational English Test with a minimum result of 'B' in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate. 

If you are an international student, please visit the English requirements for international students page for further information. 

Each application will be assessed individually. 

Assumed Knowledge

It is recommended that students have completed a degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. environment, science, sustainability, public health). 

Security Requirements
No information available at this time
Health Requirements
No information available at this time
Fees and Charges
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards CM84 - Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Development
Accreditation
  • Not applicable

Residential School Requirements

No Residential School for this course.

Practicum/Work Placement

Not applicable

Predicted Enrolments

Year Number of Students
First Year 40
Second year 70
Third Year 100
Inherent Requirements
There are currently no inherent requirements associated with this course.
Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Communicate complex ideas and concepts in a variety of formats to diverse audiences
  • 2. Analyse local and international perspectives relevant to environmental management and sustainability concepts
  • 3. Critically evaluate current issues and challenges in environmental management and sustainability
  • 4. Formulate solutions for a range of contemporary worldwide sustainability problems
  • 5. Assess the concepts, policies, and practices that influence the current environment for policymakers and other environmental managers
  • 6. Appraise specialised and interdisciplinary approaches to address sustainability challenges in environmental, social, economic, governance, and Indigenous perspectives
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5 6
1. KNOWLEDGE Have advanced knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge that may include the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in a new or existing discipline or professional area
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas
4. SKILLS Have specialised technical and creative skills in a field of highly skilled and/or professional practice
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concept
6. SKILLS Have communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to make high level, independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised contexts
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters
More Details
There is no additional information for this course.