GDCH Questions and Answers

Future students

Completion of the first four subjects of the Graduate Diploma in Child Health will satisfy the Paediatrics term requirement set by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), provided that registrars have also had adequate clinical exposure to children. Please refer to RACGP's Paediatrics term webpage here for more information.

Expressions of interests can be submitted on the Graduate Diploma in Child Health course page, where you will receive information about the course including key dates, assessments, and course content. You will also receive regular updates about any upcoming information webinars.

The GDCH follows Western Sydney University’s Quarter teaching mode with sessions commencing in January, April, June and September. The teaching calendar can be viewed on Western Sydney University’s page.

The program can be completed over 12 or 24 months.

Two subjects per term is considered a full-time load but you are able to complete the program part-time.

The GDCH assessments consist of a quiz, a video assessment task, and a written reflection for each subject, as well as an applied project in subjects 4 and 8. There is no final exam. You must satisfactorily complete all assessments to pass the program.

If you are enrolled in two subject per quarter, you must complete the assessment concurrently. Please remember to check the due dates in both subjects. Subject learning guides outline key dates, these are available once week prior to the quarter commencement date.

The GDCH is an internationally recognised Level 8 postgraduate qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Graduates can use the postnominal GDCH on successful completion of the program.

The GDCH requires a bachelor's degree in a health-related field as well as English Language Proficiency (ELP) for admission. Applicants who fall under one of the following categories are not required to provide an ELP:

  • an Australian or New Zealand citizen
  • a permanent resident of Australia
  • the holder of an Australian permanent resident humanitarian visa.

International applicants should refer to the university's International webpage for further assistance on specific requirements.

If you studied overseas previously, you maybe required to provide a copy of your previous testamur.

The program fee for domestic and international students in 2025 is AU $8,000 (reviewed on an annual basis and subject to change). Fees are charged on a per-subject basis and the maximum student contribution amount per subject is AU $1,000.

All students enrolled in subjects will also have to pay a nominal Student Services Amenities Fee per semester (SSAF)

*Australian citizens or Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders may be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to assist with paying tuition fees.

Yes, FEE-HELP is available for the program. For more information, please visit the Western Sydney University website:  FEE HELP | Western Sydney University.

Yes, graduates of the Sydney Child Health Program can enrol in the GDCH program. To receive more information about the enrolment process, please complete the expression of interest form available here or contact us at service@schp.org.au.

Yes, tutorial support is provided as an optional learning opportunity to improve clinical reasoning and paediatric management. The tutorials are facilitated as case-based discussions and are not mandatory. All the learning material required for the program can be found in the lectures and recommended readings.

Current students

After your application is received, it will be assessed by the admissions team at Western Sydney University. If you are successful, the University will send a letter of offer to the email address provided in the application. The email will include instructions on how to secure your place in the program. Additionally, an SMS will be sent to the mobile number provided in the application, notifying you of the offer.

For more information about accepting your offer and registering for subjects, please visit our Enrolment Guide page. 

To enrol in subjects, you will need to activate your student account at westernaccount.westernsydney.edu.au using your WSU student ID and password.

Once logged in, select "Register in subjects" under the MySR Links section. For more information, the video or pdf guide on how to register for subjects through MySR for the upcoming quarter can be accessed here: video or pdf guide.

Yes, an orientation session will be held virtually for GDCH students at the beginning of each teaching period. In case you are unable to attend, the session will be recorded and made available on the GDCH Learning Platform. You can access it under the "Introduction" section of each subject.

Yes, you can postpone your offer by writing to apply@westernsydney.edu.au or send a request via your account at our online application system. Any fees paid will be credited to the next intake, and your record will be updated to reflect your new start date.

Refunds are only available prior to the census date as per the University’s policy. You can refer to the University's website for more information on census dates. Also, please note that no refund of fees or release from financial commitment will be granted in case of non-completion of studies.

International students

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.  

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.

Upon successful completion of the GDCH, you will receive a recognised Australian qualification. However, this does not guarantee that you will find employment in Australia or that you will be eligible for a visa to live or work in Australia.

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