Course Description
Build confidence in delivering better child health outcomes.
Since 2023, the GDCH has empowered over 2,500 students from 35+ countries with world-class paediatric education. Designed by doctors for doctors, the Graduate Diploma in Child Health (GDCH) program is open to all health professionals and equips you with up to date, evidence based paediatric education to improve child health outcomes in your community.
Why Choose the GDCH?
- Flexible & 100% Online – Study anywhere, anytime, with intakes in January, March, June, and September.
- Practical & Clinically Relevant – With all content developed and delivered by leading paediatric experts from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, learn through case-based assessments, interactive tutorials & webinars and real-world applications.
- Internationally Recognised – A Level 8 Graduate Diploma qualification awarded by Western Sydney University (WSU)
- Global Peer Network - Connect with professionals from Australia and around the world, learn about diverse healthcare systems and share knowledge with your colleagues.
- Open to International Students
- No visa required
- Mode and duration:
100% Online, One-year of full-time study, or equivalent
- Entry requirements:
1) An undergraduate or higher degree in Medicine or other health-related discipline
2) A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no band lower than 6.0 (or equivalent) - 2026 Program fee:
AU$8,192
(payable $1024 per subject) - Session intakes:
January / March / June / September
- January 2026 intake:
Quarter 1 applications close 7st December.
Quarter 1 commences 5th January.
- Information Sessions:
What our Alumni have to say about the course
“I wish to thank the SCHP team and Western Sydney University for designing such a well-structured and fruitful program for medical professionals with an interest in child health, and for all the help I received these few years.”
– Dr Stanley N, Hong Kong Alumni
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.
Subject 1 - 4
- Students will be able to:
- assess common conditions in infancy
- arrange appropriate investigations and timely referrals
- manage common newborn and infant disorders
- advocate for improved health outcomes and communicate effectively with new parents
- Students will be able to:
- engage with children and assess common child developmental and behavioural issues
- use an evidenced based approach to investigations in children with suspected development disabilities
- develop and communicate a multi-disciplinary management plan for children with behaviour and developmental concerns
- advocate for early intervention to improve health outcomes for children and families
- Students will be able to:
- assess common adolescent and mental health issues
- arrange appropriate investigations to assist with diagnosis and minimise distress to adolescents
- formulate differential diagnoses for common adolescent conditions and develop age-appropriate management strategies based on variety of evidence and sources
- advocate and promote access to appropriate healthcare to improve health outcomes adolescents and at-risk populations
- Students will be able to:
- recognise and assess common emergency presentations utilising primary and secondary resources to support
- facilitate timely and appropriate investigations in an emergency setting
- initiate emergency management prior to escalation of care
- advocate for appropriate access to services for children at-risk based on Australian and international requirements for ethical conduct and professional standards
Subject 5 - 8
- Students will be able to:
- examine common cardiorespiratory, ENT and allergy related presentations in children
- implement appropriate investigations to support diagnosis while minimising unnecessary cost and distress to the patient
- design and implement age-appropriate management strategies for common respiratory and ENT conditions
- communicate effective management and prevention strategies with parents and children to maximise health outcomes
- Students will be able to:
- detect, evaluate, and assess common gastroenterological and urological presentations
- use an evidence-based approach to investigation to support diagnosis
- devise management strategies for common gastroenterological and urological conditions to maximise health outcomes
- promote health awareness on common issues such as bedwetting and urinary tract infections in children based on Australian and international requirements for ethical conduct and professional standards
- Students will be able to:
- assess and diagnose common paediatric infections
- use investigations aligned with ethical and professional standards to support the diagnosis of common childhood infections and autoimmune conditions
- devise evidence-based management strategies
- communicate effective management with parents and families and advocate for improved health outcomes at population level
- Students will be able to:
- assess common neurological, musculoskeletal and surgical presentations in children and young adults based on evidence-based approach
- arrange appropriate neurological investigations to assist with diagnosis minimising cost to the patient and the system
- formulate and communicate evidence-based management plans to maximise clinical outcomes in neurological and surgical conditions
- provide long-term patient surveillance and family support for complex neurological conditions
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
-
Level 8 Graduate Diploma qualification
-
Weekly tutorials with SCHN paediatrician
-
Use of GDCH postnominal upon completion
Future International Students FAQ
International students can apply directly through Western Sydney University (WSU).
Program code: 4793
Apply via Western Sydney University's International Application System
For application and admission enquiries, please contact Western Sydney University.
International applicants
+61 2 9174 6905
internationalstudy@westernsydney.edu.au
To be eligible for this study, students are required to have:
An undergraduate or higher degree in a health-related discipline,
or
An undergraduate or higher degree in any discipline and two years full-time equivalent work experience a health related discipline.
Yes, there is an English language requirement for International students applying to the program. You can find out more via the University’s Academic Entry Requirements here.
Currently, there are no scholarships available for the GDCH. However, it should be noted that the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN) and Western Sydney University have worked together to heavily subsidise the fees for this graduate diploma program.
SCHN are developing new continuing professional development (CPD) programs and medical education resources in the near future. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at service@schp.org.au to find out more about our upcoming initiatives.
Upon successful completion of the GDCH, you will receive a recognised Australian qualification.
However, this does not qualify you to work in Australia or guarantee your eligibility for a visa to live or work in Australia. We encourage all international students to check their eligibility, requirements and visa options via Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
Learn more about the Graduate Diploma in Child Health
To receive more information about the course content, study options, admission requirements or to simply find our more, 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.