Course Description
The Graduate Diploma in Child Health (GDCH) is delivered by The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN) in partnership with Western Sydney University (WSU). It is designed for health professionals working in a variety of clinical professions, from general practice, to nursing and allied health.
The GDCH provides students with a broad range of paediatric subspecialties relating to evidence-based care and practice, as well as detection and diagnosis of common childhood presentations. Students will learn to evaluate how social determinants can impact the care for children and make great impact in their role in advocating for paediatric patients. Program material will cover treatment and prevention strategies focused on delivering safe and effective child-centred health care. Completing this program will provide students with a stronger foundation in paediatric experience to support their daily practice in local region(s).
Completion of the first four subjects will satisfy RACGP's Paediatrics term requirement provided that students have also had adequate clinical exposure to children. Please refer to RACGP Mandatory Hospital Term Requirement.
2026 Applications now open. Register your interest to receive more information.
If you're looking for CPD education, check out the SCHN: Essential Paediatrics Program here.
- Program fee:
From 2026, AU$8,192
(FEE-HELP available for eligible students) - Qualification:
Level 8 Graduate Diploma
- Mode and duration:
100% Online, One-year of full-time study, or equivalent
- Session intakes:
January / March / June / September
- June 2026 intake:
2026 Quarter 3 applications close: 7th June, 2026
Quarter 3 commences: 22nd June, 2026. - Information Sessions:
What our Alumni have to say about the course
Developed and delivered by:
Learning outcomes
The program is divided into eight subjects reflecting a journey of learning in paediatric education covering areas from neonates to adolescents. Upon completion, students can expect to:
Evaluation
Evaluate child health care frameworks, common developmental and behavioural issues and how health inequities impact on the care for children.
Examination
Assess and examine common paediatric presentations according to current best evidence.
Investigation
Conduct appropriate investigations to assist with reaching a diagnosis aligning with best evidence.
Management
Develop evidence-based multi-disciplinary management plans of common paediatric problems.
Communication
Communicate diagnosis and management of patients and their needs to parents/carers.
Reflection
Reflect on Australian and international requirements for ethical conduct and professional standards to inform practices in the field of child health.
Advocacy
Advocate for vulnerable paediatric patients early intervention to improve health outcomes for children and families.
Subjects
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points which include the subjects listed below. Students are required to do subjects 1 to 4 before enrolling in subjects 5 to 8. Each subject is worth 10 credit points. Students can register for up to 2 subjects per quarter (January, April, June, September). Students may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Child Health after completing the first 4 subjects.
MEDI 5001 - 5004
- Students will be able to:
- describe common conditions in infancy
- apply an evidence-based approach to recognise factors that may impact infant health, development, and wellbeing
- demonstrate appropriate investigations and evidence-based management strategies for common neonatal and infant health conditions
- communicate effectively and empathetically with new parents
- reflect on professional practice to identify opportunities to enhance communication, confidence, and continuity of care for newborns and their families.
- Students will be able to:
- describe common developmental milestones and behavioural presentations in childhood
- apply an evidence-based approach to recognise factors that may impact behavioural, developmental, or learning outcomes in children
- demonstrate appropriate investigations and evidence-based management strategies for developmental, behavioural, and disability-related conditions in children
- communicate effectively and empathetically with parents and caregivers to support understanding, reassurance, and inclusion for children with developmental, behavioural, or disability-related needs
- reflect on professional practice to identify opportunities to improve assessment, support, and advocacy for children with developmental, behavioural, or disability-related needs.
- Students will be able to:
- describe common adolescent health issues, including mental health, substance use, and sexual health concerns
- apply an evidence-based approach to recognise factors that may impact adolescent health, mental wellbeing, and social outcomes
- demonstrate appropriate investigations and evidence-based management strategies for mental health and behavioural conditions in adolescents and young people
- communicate effectively and empathetically with adolescents and their families to build trust, promote engagement, and support open discussions about mental health, substance use, and wellbeing
- reflect on professional practice to identify opportunities to strengthen engagement and care for adolescents and young people experiencing mental health or social challenges.
- Students will be able to:
- describe common emergency presentations in children, including unwell infants, the febrile child, and children with breathing difficulties
- apply an evidence-based approach to recognise factors that may impact acute or emergency presentations in children
- demonstrate appropriate investigations and evidence-based management strategies for acute and emergency presentations in children
- communicate health information clearly and empathetically to parents or carers to support safety-netting and shared decision-making
- analyse the health needs of a local community, integrating knowledge from newborn to paediatric care to identify risk factors and propose strategies to improve health outcomes.
MEDI 6001 - 6004
- Students will be able to:
- describe common cardiorespiratory, ENT and allergy-related presentations in children
- apply an evidence-based approach to recognise factors that may impact the management of cardiorespiratory, ENT, and allergic conditions in children
- demonstrate appropriate investigations and evidence-based management strategies for cardiorespiratory, ENT, and allergic conditions in children
- communicate effectively and empathetically with children and their families to support understanding and adherence to management plans for cardiorespiratory, ENT, and allergic conditions
- reflect on professional practice to identify opportunities to optimise assessment, management, and family education for children with cardiorespiratory, ENT, and allergic conditions.
- Students will be able to:
- describe common gastroenterological, urological, and haematological presentations in children
- apply an evidence-based approach to recognise factors that may impact gastrointestinal, urological, and related health conditions in children
- demonstrate appropriate investigations and evidence-based management strategies for gastrointestinal, urological, and related conditions in children
- communicate effectively and empathetically with children, young people, and their families to provide education and reassurance during assessment and management of gastrointestinal, urological, and related conditions
- reflect on professional practice to identify opportunities to enhance holistic and family-centred care for children with gastrointestinal, urological, or related conditions.
- Students will be able to:
- describe common paediatric infections and autoimmune conditions encountered in primary care
- apply an evidence-based approach to recognise factors that may impact infectious and autoimmune conditions in children
- demonstrate appropriate investigations and evidence-based management strategies for infectious and autoimmune conditions in children
- communicate effectively and empathetically with parents and caregivers to promote understanding of infection prevention, treatment, and appropriate use of antibiotics
- reflect on professional practice to identify opportunities to improve prevention, management, and education strategies for children with infectious or autoimmune conditions.
- Students will be able to:
- describe common neurological, musculoskeletal, and surgical presentations in children and young people
- apply an evidence-based approach to recognise factors that may impact neurological, musculoskeletal, or surgical presentations in children and adolescents
- demonstrate appropriate investigations and evidence-based management strategies for neurological, musculoskeletal, and surgical conditions in children and adolescents
- communicate effectively and empathetically with children, adolescents, and their families to support understanding and collaboration in the assessment and management of neurological, musculoskeletal, and surgical conditions
- analyse a child health issue within a local community, identifying contributing factors and proposing feasible interventions to improve health outcomes.
Assessments
The program content is designed to be clinically relevant and engaging, and assessments will include online quizzes, video communication tasks, written reflections, and two major works. Students will be required to complete the following assessment tasks:
Fee Information
The total program fee for 2026 is
AU$8,192
-
FEE-HELP is available for eligible applicants
-
Level 8 Graduate Diploma qualification
-
Use of GDCH postnominal
Learn more about the Graduate Diploma in Child Health
To receive more information about the course content, study options and admission requirements, register your interest below and we will be in touch. The Graduate Diploma in Child Health is jointly delivered by The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network and Western Sydney University.