A Graduate Diploma in Clinical Exercise Physiology is a postgraduate qualification designed to equip graduates of exercise science with the advanced clinical skills required to assess, prescribe and deliver exercise-based interventions for people living with chronic disease, injury or disability. The course bridges the gap between exercise science and clinical allied health practice, covering target pathologies recognised by Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) including cardiac disease, pulmonary conditions, cancer, metabolic diseases, renal disease, musculoskeletal conditions, neurological and immunological conditions, and mental health. Students learn to develop, implement and manage physical activity and behavioural modification programs for both healthy clients and those managing complex chronic conditions, extending their understanding of human structure and function to a wide range of clinical populations.

This qualification — or its equivalent at Masters level — is the pathway required to apply for ESSA accreditation as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP), one of Australia's recognised allied health professions. Upon gaining AEP status, graduates are eligible to provide services under Medicare, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, WorkCover, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and private health insurance funds. Employers span both the public and private sectors, including public and private hospitals, community health centres, aged care facilities, rehabilitation clinics, private practices, occupational health providers, sporting organisations, and mental health services. The course typically requires a minimum of 360 hours of supervised clinical placement and is delivered across a range of Australian universities and providers.

Applicants to a Graduate Diploma or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Clinical Exercise Physiology are typically required to hold a completed bachelor's degree accredited by Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) at the level of Exercise Science, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) — commonly 4.6 to 5.0 on a 7-point scale, equivalent to a credit average — or an approved Graduate Entry Assessment from ESSA. Some providers also accept applicants with a lower GPA if they can demonstrate a minimum of six months to one year of relevant full-time professional experience post-graduation, or if they have completed a related Graduate Certificate qualification. Applicants from non-ESSA-accredited undergraduate programs may be required to demonstrate that they meet ESSA's Exercise Science Standards and practical competencies prior to entry.

For international applicants, or those whose prior study was not conducted in English, English language proficiency requirements must be met as specified by both the institution and ESSA for professional accreditation purposes. Standard benchmarks include an IELTS overall band of 6.5 (with no sub-band below 6.0), or equivalent scores in PTE, TOEFL or OET. All students — domestic and international — must satisfy ESSA's English language requirements before applying for Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) status at the end of their studies.

In addition to academic and language requirements, most programs require students to complete a range of pre-placement compliance checks before commencing supervised clinical placements. These typically include a current First Aid and CPR certificate, a Working with Children Check, a National Police Check, and appropriate professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Some providers may also require hepatitis B vaccination evidence or other health screenings in line with state health department requirements for clinical settings.