Course Overview

About This Course

The Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Policy Development, will build on your professional knowledge and experiences by providing you with a critical understanding of important aspects of Indigenous economic and policy development in modern Australia. You will examine key issues of Indigenous policy development and implementation, economic development and participation, traditional and modern governance structures, and intellectual and cultural property rights in current social and political contexts. This course is an essential foundation for respectful and accountable engagement with Indigenous people and the current social and political issues they face in Australia and internationally. This is an important course, if you want to develop your knowledge and understanding of: the workings of government and policy; the structures and functions of governance in relation to Indigenous people; the practice of cultural engagement with and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people; the culture and language of Yolngu people.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Danala - Education and Community Precinct, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory, Australia

54-58 Cavenagh Street, DARWIN CITY, NT 0800

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or equivalent international qualification in a relevant field.
Consideration will also be given to those who do not have one of the above qualifications, but who have at least five years relevant professional experience, for example in policy development, research, governance or service delivery. Applicants must provide further documentation in the form of a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application.
English Language Requirements (Domestic Students): All Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements.
Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language.
Successful completion of at least 0.5 FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language.
Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points).
Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia.
Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse (must be current at time of course commencement).
English test results (completed within two years of commencement): IELTS Academic overall minimum 6.5, no band below 6.0; Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) overall minimum 176, no skill below 169; PTE Academic overall minimum 58, no score below 50; TOEFL overall minimum 79, minimum writing score 21.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

A Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Policy Development will open up opportunities for you by adding a new dimension of knowledge and skills to your existing qualification. Graduates from this course working in a range of different government and other professional roles enhance their employability by strengthening and deepening their understanding of the interface between policy-related aspects of their work and the needs and aspirations of the broader Indigenous community. Graduates can credit their studies in the graduate diploma towards a Master of Public Policy. Potential employment opportunities include roles in government and non-government organisations related to Indigenous affairs in areas such as research, policy development, or media and communications and academia.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units25 units

IAS530

Neocolonialism, Advocacy and the Critique of Development

Core unit (replaced ATI501 2020)

IAS531

Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics

Core unit (replaced ATI502 2020)

IAS532

Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation

Core unit (replaced ATI503 2020)

IAS533

Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies

Core unit (replaced ATI504 2020)

IAS501

Research Methods 1

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Research (20cp, replaced ACH401 2020)

IAS512

Humanities and Social Science Project

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Research (20cp, replaced ATI720 2021, not offered 2025)

IAS521

Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Research

IAS522

Indigenous Research Methodologies

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Research

IAS523

Indigenous Research Project

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Research (replaced IND590 2020)

IAS524

Indigenous Representation and Ethical Practice

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Engagement (not offered 2025)

IAS534

Partnerships and Engagement in Indigenous Land and Sea Management

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Engagement (replaced ATI505 2020)

IAS535

Indigenous Peoples in the Context of Colonised Australia

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Engagement (replaced IND500 2020)

IAS536

Indigenous Sovereignty and the Challenges of Reconciliation

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Engagement (replaced IND502 2020)

IAS537

Building Relationships in Indigenous Contexts

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Engagement (replaced IND501 2020)

IAS538

Challenging Educational Paradigm

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Engagement (replaced IND503 2020)

IAS539

Intercultural Mediation

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Engagement (not offered 2025)

IAS547

Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Engagement

IAS548

Healthy Country, Health People

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Engagement

IAS549

Learning an Indigenous Australian Language

Specialist Elective - Indigenous Policy Engagement (no longer offered 2024)

IAS541

Yolngu Languages and Culture 1

Specialist Elective - Yolngu Languages and Culture (replaced CAS501 2020)

IAS542

Yolngu Languages and Culture 2

Specialist Elective - Yolngu Languages and Culture (replaced CAS502 2020)

IAS543

Yolngu Literature

Specialist Elective - Yolngu Languages and Culture (replaced CAS511 2020)

IAS544

Indigenous Language Project

Specialist Elective - Yolngu Languages and Culture (replaced CAS512 2020)

IAS545

Yolngu Conversation 1

Specialist Elective - Yolngu Languages and Culture (replaced CAS521 2020)

IAS546

Yolngu Conversation 2

Specialist Elective - Yolngu Languages and Culture (replaced CAS522 2020)

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Graduate Diploma studies towards a higher degree?

Yes. Graduates can credit their studies in the graduate diploma towards a Master of Public Policy.

What are the entry requirements if I don't have a bachelor degree?

Consideration will also be given to those who do not have a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or equivalent international qualification, but who have at least five years relevant professional experience, for example in policy development, research, governance or service delivery. Applicants must provide further documentation in the form of a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application.

How many credit points do I need to complete the Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Policy Development?

A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points, including four core units (40 credit points) and specialist electives totalling 40 credit points selected from the available units in the College of Indigenous Futures, Arts and Society.

What are the international tuition fees for this course?

The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2026 is AUD $37,672.00, which equates to $4,709.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL). These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Where can I study this course and what study modes are available?

The Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Policy Development is available at the Danala - Education and Community Precinct and online. You can choose to study full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years), with intakes available in both Semester 1 and Semester 2. Note that online study is available for Semester 1 and Semester 2, while on-campus study is available for Semester 1 and Semester 2.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $60,000 to $75,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $75,000 to $95,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $95,000 to $120,000 per year

Career Paths

Indigenous Policy OfficerAboriginal Affairs AdviserFirst Nations Program CoordinatorIndigenous Community Engagement OfficerReconciliation Action Plan Coordinator

Key Skills

Indigenous policy analysis and critical evaluationUnderstanding of traditional and modern Indigenous governance structuresCultural competence and cross-cultural communicationCommunity consultation and stakeholder engagementResearch design and applied qualitative/quantitative methods in Indigenous contexts

Full Course Overview

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