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The Master of Health Management and Policy (Global) is a postgraduate qualification designed to develop the next generation of health leaders, administrators, and policy architects capable of operating across Australian and international healthcare systems. The degree sits at the intersection of management science, health economics, public policy, and governance — equipping graduates with the strategic, analytical, and leadership skills required to navigate the complex and rapidly evolving health sector. Core themes typically include health systems design, policy development and evaluation, clinical governance, health economics, digital health, global health frameworks, and evidence-based decision-making. The 'Global' designation signals a curriculum that extends beyond the Australian health context to incorporate comparative international health systems, global health policy challenges, cross-border health governance, and international development perspectives.
This course is designed for a diverse cohort of students: practising health professionals — including nurses, allied health workers, doctors, midwives, and paramedics — who want to transition into management and leadership; professionals from non-health backgrounds such as business, public administration, law, or social work who wish to pivot into the health sector; and public servants or policy analysts seeking specialist health policy credentials. Employers of graduates include federal and state health departments, public and private hospitals, Primary Health Networks (PHNs), aged and disability care organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international development agencies, consulting firms, and multilateral bodies such as the World Health Organization.
The course is typically delivered over one to two years full-time (or part-time equivalent) and is structured around a combination of core healthcare management units, elective streams, and research or applied capstone projects. Students can often tailor their studies through specialisation streams in areas such as digital health and analytics, health policy evaluation, health economics, applied research, or global health leadership. Professional accreditation pathways through the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM) and the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) are often available upon completion.
Australia's health and social assistance sector is the nation's largest and fastest-growing industry, with government forecasts projecting it to add over 541,900 new jobs by 2035 and account for more than one-fifth of all employment in the country. An ageing population, rising rates of chronic disease, rapid digital transformation, workforce shortages in management roles, and the growing complexity of health financing and policy are all creating an urgent and sustained demand for qualified health managers and policy experts. Despite this, there is a well-documented skills gap at the leadership and strategic management level — most clinical professionals are trained in their clinical discipline rather than in organisational governance, financial management, or policy design, making postgraduate management qualifications highly valuable for career progression.
Studying a Master of Health Management and Policy (Global) provides graduates with credentials that are directly recognised by peak professional bodies, opening pathways to senior management and executive roles that would otherwise require years of unstructured experience. The global dimension of the degree adds further value in an era where health systems increasingly face transnational challenges — from pandemic preparedness and antimicrobial resistance to global health equity and international aid. Graduates are positioned to work not only in Australia's public and private health systems but also with international organisations, overseas governments, and global consultancies, giving them unmatched career mobility and impact.
Most Australian providers require applicants to hold a recognised bachelor's degree (AQF Level 7 or equivalent) in any field, though many programs give preference to those with qualifications in a health-related discipline such as nursing, medicine, allied health, public health, social work, or health sciences. Some programs accept applicants with a bachelor's degree in non-health fields such as business, law, or social science, provided they can demonstrate relevant professional experience in a health or policy context. Applicants with a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate health or management discipline may also be eligible for entry, and in some cases may receive credit towards the master's degree, reducing the overall study load.
Professional experience is a significant consideration at many institutions. Applicants are commonly required to submit a current curriculum vitae (CV) and may need to provide a personal statement, letters of reference, or a statement from an employer verifying their period of employment in a health or related setting. Some universities require a minimum of two or more years of relevant professional experience, particularly for applicants without a health-specific undergraduate background. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may reduce the credit points required to complete the degree for experienced practitioners.
For international applicants, English language proficiency must be demonstrated through accepted tests such as IELTS Academic (typically an overall band of 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0), TOEFL iBT (typically a score of 79 or above), or equivalent. Applicants should also verify program-specific requirements, as some institutions may require additional documentation such as academic transcripts, a statutory declaration, or evidence of professional registration with a relevant body such as AHPRA.
This course may be offered in different study modes depending on the university, campus location, course structure and student type. Students should check the available delivery mode before applying, as not every study option is available at every institution.
On-campus study is the traditional mode of delivery where students attend classes, lectures, tutorials, workshops or seminars at the university campus. This option may suit students who prefer face-to-face learning, access to campus facilities, networking with classmates, practical workshops, group projects and direct engagement with academic staff.
Some universities may offer programs fully online or with online subject options. Online study can be attractive for students who need flexibility due to work, family, location or other commitments. Online study may suit domestic students, working professionals or students who want to study from outside Australia.
Hybrid or blended study usually combines online learning with some on-campus classes, workshops, intensive sessions or practical components. This mode may suit students who want flexibility but still want some face-to-face interaction. The exact structure varies between institutions.
Programs in Australia may have different intake structures depending on the university. The most common intake systems are semester, trimester and block mode.
Many Australian universities follow a two-semester academic calendar. The main intakes are commonly Semester 1 (around February or March) and Semester 2 (around July). Semester-based study usually allows students to complete a set number of subjects over approximately 12 to 14 weeks.
Some universities use a trimester system, which generally provides three study periods a year — around February/March, June/July and October/November. Trimester study may provide more flexibility and may help some students complete their course faster.
Some institutions may offer selected subjects or programs in block mode, where students focus on one subject at a time over a shorter, more intensive teaching period. Block mode may suit students who prefer concentrated learning or working professionals managing study around employment.
Some online or professionally focused programs may offer more frequent start dates or flexible entry points throughout the year. Students should not assume that every course has monthly or multiple intakes — availability depends on the institution, course structure and student type.
Graduates of the Master of Health Management and Policy (Global) are equipped to pursue leadership, policy, and management roles across the full spectrum of Australia's health ecosystem, including public hospitals, private health groups, state and federal government health departments, Primary Health Networks, aged care and disability organisations, health consulting firms, international development agencies, and non-government organisations. With Australia's health workforce projected to require hundreds of thousands of additional professionals over the next decade — and with an increasing premium on management and policy expertise — graduates of this degree are exceptionally well-placed to fill high-demand, high-impact roles both domestically and internationally.
Entry Level
Graduate / Assistant
Graduate Health Officer, Policy Research Assistant, Health Administration Officer, Junior Health Analyst, Program Support Officer
Early Career
Officer / Coordinator
Health Policy Officer, Program Coordinator, Quality and Safety Coordinator, Health Services Coordinator, Planning and Performance Officer
Mid-Level
Adviser / Specialist
Senior Health Policy Analyst, Health Management Consultant, Clinical Governance Adviser, Health Workforce Specialist, Primary Health Network Manager
Senior Level
Manager / Senior Adviser
Health Service Manager, Hospital Operations Manager, Senior Policy Adviser, Director of Quality and Safety, Strategy and Planning Manager
Leadership
Director / Head / Principal
Executive Director of Health Services, Chief Executive Officer (Health), Director of Clinical Governance, Head of Health Policy, Deputy Secretary (Health)
Salaries for health management and policy graduates in Australia vary significantly based on experience, sector, and seniority, with strong earnings growth as professionals advance into leadership roles.
Melbourne
Melbourne is home to Australia's largest concentration of public hospitals, research institutes, and health policy bodies, making it a leading hub for health management careers. Victoria is projected to lead national job growth through 2035, and the city offers strong connections to state health departments, health networks, and global health organisations, providing excellent opportunities for postgraduate health management students.
Sydney
As Australia's largest city, Sydney hosts the headquarters of major health insurers, private hospital groups, federal health agencies, and a dense network of Local Health Districts, creating a dynamic employment market for health managers and policy professionals. The city is also a gateway to international health organisations and Asia-Pacific health networks, making it ideal for students with global health ambitions.
Brisbane
Brisbane's rapidly expanding population and significant investment in healthcare infrastructure — including major hospital redevelopments and the health precinct supporting the 2032 Olympics — have generated strong demand for health managers and policy professionals. Queensland Health is one of the state's largest employers, and the city's growing biomedical and digital health sectors offer exciting opportunities for graduates.
Perth
Perth is a strong study destination for health management students, with Western Australia's health sector identified as the state's largest single employment sector and significant growth in healthcare jobs forecast. The city offers access to major public health networks, a growing private hospital sector, and opportunities in Indigenous health and remote health service management across regional WA.
Adelaide
Adelaide offers a close-knit and collaborative health management community, with SA Health, major teaching hospitals, and leading research precincts providing practical learning and employment pathways. South Australia's focus on health reform, aged care, and preventive health policy makes it a particularly relevant environment for students interested in health system design and community health management.
Canberra
Canberra is uniquely positioned for students interested in national health policy, with the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), and numerous other federal agencies located in the capital. Graduates who study in Canberra gain unparalleled access to policy-making environments and public service career pathways at the national level.
Before choosing a course, students should compare:
International students who want to study in Australia should also consider additional requirements before applying.
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