CM84 - Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Development

Overview

Course Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Development provides a foundational understanding of sustainability principles and practices within a global context.  This course equips you with essential knowledge to address complex environmental challenges, while also exploring social, economic, and governance dimensions of sustainability. Through a series of interdisciplinary units, you will gain critical insights into sustainable development, environmental management and policy frameworks. This graduate certificate serves as a valuable entry point for professionals aiming to enhance their expertise in sustainability across various industries.

Career Information

With a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Development, you will be prepared for entry-level roles in sustainability across government, non-profit, and corporate sectors. You can pursue positions such as sustainability officer, environmental advisor, or project coordinator, helping organizations implement sustainable practices and policies.

Course Details
Duration 0.5 years full-time or 1 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 24
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) GradCertSustDev
AQF Level Level 8: Graduate Certificate
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2026
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $16,650
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $19,320
Indicative Year - 2025
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $15,990
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,460
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $17,460

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
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.
Please Click Here for more information.
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
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International Availability

Term 3 - 2026

Melbourne

Term 2 - 2026

Melbourne

Term 1 - 2026

Melbourne
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at https://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
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards Not applicable
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 Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.

If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.

Ethical Behaviour

Examples are: 

  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Conduct Policy and Procedures, and the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Complying with the University Ethics Committees directions when undertaking research.
  • Respecting an individual's/group's diversity by demonstrating sensitivity to religious, cultural and individual differences.
  • Demonstrating an ability to adhere to ethics policies and reflecting on ethical dilemmas and issues concerning to practice as well as taking responsibility for ensuring ethical and professional behaviour including when dealing with animals.
  • Participating in activities where it may be necessary to humanely destroy animals (e.g. feral cats and other Class 1 pests captured during trapping activities) or to use dead animals and animal materials in laboratory learning activities (dissections).
Behavioural Stability

Examples are: 

  • Interacting positively and effectively with other students, while attending all activities related to the course including field work.
  • Being receptive and responding appropriately to different viewpoints, to constructive feedback and to direction from academics and other staff.
  • Coping effectively with your own emotions, responses and behaviour, when dealing with challenging situations.
Legal Compliance

Examples are: 

  • Understanding and adhering to professional policy around Occupational Health and Safety including appropriate use of social media.
  • Knowing, understanding and complying with safety requirements which are necessary pre-requisites during field and laboratory work, especially when dealing with chemicals, animals and plants, in order to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

Examples are: 

  • Actively participating in discussion activities related to the course.
  • Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual or group.
  • Verbally communicating your knowledge and skills with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness.
  • Present scientific work to various audiences.
  • Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of peers and others and responding appropriately.
  • Having access to a computer and having some computer skills to engage in on-line learning, reading and responding to emails, and completing relevant tasks and assessments for the course.
  • Constructing your assessment work to academic standards with attention to correct grammar and punctuation.
  • Constructing fluent summarised written text from complex and detailed information.
  • Constructing legible reports in a timely manner to meet professional standards and clearly communicating the intended message.
  • Having access to a computer for your studies.
  • Regularly accessing the Internet for research and email for communication with peers and lecturers.
  • Analysing, manipulating and displaying scientific information using a variety of specific courses.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

Examples are: 

  • Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
  • Performing your duties within set time-frames.
  • Summarising, paraphrasing and referencing in accordance with appropriate academic conventions.
  • Actively listening to information within a variety of academic and professional settings.
  • Reading and accurately interpreting scientific information.
  • Completing documentation that is accurate, clear and concise.
  • Demonstrating competency in applying basic mathematics knowledge and skills when reading scientific information and equipment.
  • Demonstrating effective use of numeracy skills to record accurate measurements during field and laboratory work.
  • Applying numeracy skills to interpret and solve problems in a range of settings and situations.
  • Interpreting graphical information when reading scientific publications.
Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)

Examples are: 

  • Focussing on and recognising objects that are either near or far.
  • Observing and detecting subtle differences and changes in colours, including interpreting aerial photographs and analysing biological and geological samples.
  • Safely operating electronic equipment.
  • Looking through optical equipment such as microscopes.
  • Observing and detecting subtle differences and changes in the physical environment, such as flora, fauna, water, atmosphere, soils geology and the built environment.
  • Sufficiently hearing verbal communication from other students and lecturers during activities related to the course.
  • Having sufficient auditory ability to consistently and accurately monitor, assess and manage electronic instruments.
Relational Skills

Examples are: 

  • Having the capacity to relate positively and effectively to a wide variety of stakeholders (e.g. Indigenous Australians, landowners, concerned citizens, industry and government representatives) to enable constructive relationships. 
  • Rapidly building rapport with other students, peers and patients in order to engage them professionally.
  • Displaying empathy and respecting multiple points of view.
Reflective Skills

Examples are: 

  • Reflecting on topics taught during the course of study, including on situations that may be difficult or sensitive, yet still require reflective processing, judgement or action.
  • Identifying, reflecting and learning from successful situations as well as opportunities for improvement.
  • Identifying when one's actions may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions, and be able to reflect and learn from this experience.
Sustainable Performance

Examples are: 

  • Actively participating in activities related to the course with adequate, sustained levels of physical energy and concentration.
  • Actively participating in laboratory and field activities.
Strength and Mobility (Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills)

Examples are: 

  • Incorporating a range of gross motor skills while participating effectively in activities related to the course, including transporting and operating field and laboratory equipment.
  • Maintaining balance while safely transferring delicate equipment.
  • Moving with ease around equipment items while performing various tasks.
  • Safely retrieving and utilising stock and equipment.
  • Physically manipulating material, systems and processes, including mixing concrete, sieving soil, and collecting and transporting samples of flora, fauna, water, gas, soil and rocks.
  • Manipulating delicate, breakable equipment with ease and care.
  • Handling test tubes, Petri dishes and other breakable equipment with care.
  • Handling animals both in field and laboratory situations.
  • Handling potentially harmful chemicals.
Interpersonal Engagement

Examples are: 

  • Interacting respectfully and constructively with Indigenous Australians, landowners, concerned citizens, industry and government representatives, and all other relevant stakeholders.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities

Examples are: 

  • Using computers to prepare and submit scientific reports electronically.
  • Analysing instrumentation data accessible via a computer interface.
  • Analysing and processing data either sourced from a computer or generated externally.
  • Liaising with peers and academic staff in regards to learning and assessments.
  • Having access to and a beginner level of ability with spreadsheet or data manipulation software (MS Excel, Google Sheets or R).
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.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4
1. KNOWLEDGE Have specialised 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 concepts
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
10. FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE sufficient to undertake qualifications
11. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of knowledge in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units
12. FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS sufficient to undertake qualifications
13. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of skills in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units
14. Course content drawn from higher education units
More Details
There is no additional information for this course.