Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Online: February
- Townsville: February
Fees
$5,532+
$13,498^
+
total estimated Commonwealth Supported Fee
^
total estimated tuition fee
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee. Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Currently displaying fees for 2026, which are subject to change in following years.
Duration
6 months full-time
Entry Requirements
Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree at this or another university that includes at least one year of full-time studies in social and/or behavioural sciences; or an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in any discipline plus at least one year full-time study at a minimum undergraduate level in social and/or behavioural sciences; or equivalent.
Course Code
120911
Course detail
The Graduate Certificate of Human Services is designed for people looking to build a professional foundation in the sector, whether you're coming from a different field entirely or formalising knowledge you've built through work and life experience.
Four subjects cover the essentials: Foundations of Counselling Theory, Professional Values and Ethics, Human Diversity, and Organisational Practice. Together they prepare you for the reality of human services practice: the ethical decisions, the diverse communities, and the organisational context in which that work happens.
Study is part-time, with some subjects delivered online only and others on campus in Townsville, or via distance learning for international students.
The structure is designed to fit around existing work and personal commitments, so you don't have to put your life on hold to get started.
All 12 credit points carry directly into the Master of Human Services at JCU, and the certificate also meets eligibility requirements for entry into the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying).
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment,and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Graduate Certificate of Human Services.
Graduates work across community health, child and family services, aged care, disability support, housing and homelessness, and government and non-government organisations.
Already working in the sector? The certificate formalises your existing knowledge and supports progression into more senior roles. New to human services? It provides a credible entry point into the field.
Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $5,532
Estimated annual tuition fee: $13,498
A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.
Learn more about fees and financial support
JCU offers multiple Pathways to University. If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, consider exploring our available Pathways options.
Contact our friendly team today to discover which pathway is right for you.
Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.
Real stories
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Lecturer
Dr Hyacinth Udah
Lecturer, College of Arts, Society and Education
At JCU, social work education is a transformative journey that calls you to listen with compassion, think critically, embrace diversity, and act with cultural humility. We don't learn simply to help people understand unjust systems, but to reimagine those systems alongside the people and communities we serve.