Graduate Diploma in Child Health
Course Description
The Graduate Diploma in Child Health (GDCH) is jointly 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.
$8,192
(FEE-HELP available for eligible students)
100% Online
One year of full-time study or equivalent
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.
- Learn to evaluate how social determinants can impact care for children and how to advocate for paediatric patients.
- Learn about 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.
Completion of the first 4 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.
Enrolment information
- Qualification: Level 8 Graduate Diploma
- Session intakes: January / March / June / September
January 2027 intake
- Quarter 1 applications close 6 December 2026.
- Quarter 1 commences 4 January 2027.
2027 applications are now open. Register your interest below and receive more information on the course content, study options and admission requirements.
Developed and delivered by
Learning outcomes
The program is divided into 8 subjects reflecting a journey of learning in paediatric education covering areas from neonates to adolescents.
Students will have the following skills upon completion:
Evaluate child health care frameworks, common developmental and behavioural issues and how health inequities impact on the care for children.
Conduct appropriate investigations to assist with reaching a diagnosis aligning with best evidence.
Assess and examine common paediatric presentations according to current best evidence.
Develop evidence-based multi-disciplinary management plans of common paediatric problems.
Communicate diagnosis and management of patients and their needs to parents/carers.
Reflect on Australian and international requirements for ethical conduct and professional standards to inform practices in the field of child health.
Advocate for vulnerable paediatric patients early intervention to improve health outcomes for children and families.
Assessments
The program content is designed to be clinically relevant and engaging.
Required in all subjects:
- quiz
- professional communication task.
Additional requirements:
- reflective journal, or
- applied project.
Qualification for this award requires 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.
Units of study
MEDI 5001: Newborn and infant development
Students will learn 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.
MEDI 5002: Behaviour, development and disability
Students will learn 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.
MEDI 5003: Adolescent, mental health and health inequity
Students will learn 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.
MEDI 5004: Emergency and acute care
Students will learn 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.
MEDI 6001: Cardiorespiratory, ENT and Allergy
Students will learn 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.
MEDI 6002: Gastroenterology, Urology and other specialties
Students will learn 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.
MEDI 6003: Infectious Disease and Autoimmune conditions
Students will learn 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.
MEDI 6004: Neurology, Musculoskeletal and Surgical problems
Students will learn 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.