Graduate Certificate in Domestic and Family Violence

Graduate Certificate in Domestic and Family Violence

POSTGRADUATE

Join this important field and make meaningful change in the lives of individuals and families. 

Apply Enquire Download Brochure
Student type:
Learning mode:
Online
Entry score:

Not applicable*

Duration:
Part-time 1 year
Fees:

AU$14,880 (2026 total)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Online
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Not applicable
Fees:

AU$19,680 (2026 total)

Next intake:
Not applicable
Location:
Not applicable

Gain a recognised qualification in responding to and preventing family violence, for a career that will make meaningful change in the lives of individuals and families.

The RMIT Graduate Certificate in Domestic and Family Violence has been designed to prepare new graduates and current practitioners for a rewarding career in the domestic and family violence sector. 

Practitioners and students in sectors including community services, health, youth and social work, education, alcohol and drugs, family services, mental health, housing and homelessness, local and state government, criminal justice, criminology, and psychology will benefit from the practical and evidence-based content of this graduate certificate.

Taught by leading policy academics and professionals, you will acquire essential knowledge and practical skills in family violence client intake, risk assessment, casework as well as an understanding of the national policy context and evidence-based practice. 

As a graduate of this course, you will be ready for employment in both responding to family violence and in the prevention of violence against women. Recent graduates are working in family violence specialist services, including various Orange Door intake services, refuge and family violence case management roles, as well as allied community service roles.

Four women seated at an outside table on the balcony of RMIT's Building 80, Swanston Street, Melbourne.

Why study the Graduate Certificate in Domestic and Family Violence at RMIT?

Industry relevant

Gain real-world practice knowledge from industry experts, the latest policy frameworks, best-practice research evidence, and skill-based seminars.

Professional recognition

This qualification meets the Mandatory Minimum Equivalent Qualification for Specialist Family Violence practitioners, as defined by Family Safety Victoria.

Graduate job-ready

Build a foundation for your career and be prepared for roles related to responding to family violence and violence prevention.

Please note: this graduate certificate is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you are holding a temporary visa (other than a student visa) and your visa has a full study entitlement, you may be eligible to apply. For more information, see the international students with other temporary (non-student) visas.

Details

Expand all sections

Learning and teaching

RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches, including seminars, lectures, workshops. You can expect to undertake group work, negotiated learning, peer review, presentations and discussion. Through your study, you will engage with case studies, problem-based learning and reflective techniques.

This certificate is designed for flexible delivery to meet the needs of students and practitioners who may be working full- or part-time. Topics in this curriculum will comprise of a combination of self-paced learning materials and live-video seminars with our expert teaching team and will keep you at the forefront of new evidence, policy and practice developments in the family violence sector. Optional on-campus events twice yearly provide further opportunities to network with sector practitioners as well as current students, teaching staff and alumni. 

Assessment methods

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes tests, essays, reports, presentations, research projects, and practical assignments.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT Capabilities

The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.

As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:

  • Ethical Global Citizens
  • Connected
  • Adaptive
  • Digitally Adept
  • Expert
  • Critically Engaged.

RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.

The Graduate Certificate in Domestic and Family Violence is taught by leading family violence academics and sector training professionals and overseen by an expert Industry Advisory Committee to deliver real-world practice knowledge.

The Industry Advisory Committee includes representation from the family violence response and prevention sectors, as well as other specialist government and non-government agencies, providing ongoing review to ensure this qualification continues to prepare graduates for immediate entry into roles in the family violence and community services sectors.

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Domestic and Family Violence, you will be equipped with a comprehensive body of knowledge and a broad set of skills to respond to and prevent domestic and family violence.

You will critically analyse the theories, principles and developments that underpin this field of study, and apply logic and creative problem solving to address the social, cultural, political, economic and environmental dimensions of domestic and family violence. You will not only develop appropriate responses to relevant and social policy issues, but also apply your reflective practice and case management skills to assess real-life situations in ways that are socially and culturally sensitive.

You will develop respectful and inclusive professional practice, and learn to communicate effectively and appropriately for your audience, including women, children, families, bystanders, statutory agencies, government workers and other professionals.

The Graduate Certificate in Domestic and Family Violence comprises four core subjects, enabling students to specialise in:

  • understanding gendered violence
  • responding to domestic and family violence
  • practical skills in risk assessment and casework 
  • primary prevention of violence against women. 

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Graduate Certificate in Domestic and Family Violence
Program code: GC164
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Graduate Certificate in Domestic and Family Violence
City Campus
Full-time 6 Years, Part-time 1 Years
GC164
Location
City Campus
Duration
Full-time 6 Years, Part-time 1 Years
Plan code
GC164
CRICOS
View plan

Career

After successful completion of this graduate certificate, your career prospects include roles in:

  • family violence intake, response and/or case management
  • preventing violence against women
  • family violence policy, advocacy and/or research
  • management.

Jobs and Skills Australia projects that work opportunities for welfare support workers are set to increase by 8.3% to 2028.

Graduates continue to connect and support each other via an alumni network, providing an opportunity to share new resources, promote job opportunities and build their professional community.

Expand all sections

This program has been defined by Family Safety Victoria as meeting the Mandatory Minimum Equivalent Qualification required for Specialist Family Violence practitioners. 

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have:

  • successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in any discipline;
    OR
  • undertaken significant work experience or professional practice.

As a guide, significant work experience would generally be a minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in Australian domestic and/or family violence services, or an allied human and/or community services sector.

If you have completed a Diploma of Community Services, a minimum of 2 years of professional work experience in Australian domestic and/or family violence services, or an allied human and/or community services sector will be considered.

To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience. If you also hold a Diploma of Community Services you must also submit evidence of your qualification.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

Pathways and further study

You can gain entry to this graduate certificate from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.

Learn more about RMIT undergraduate programs

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce your study load by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Find out if you might be eligible

Upon successful completion of this graduate certificate, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in RMIT University courses including the Master of Justice and Criminology, Master of Public Policy, Master of Global Studies, Master of Social Work and Master of Social Science (Global, Urban and Social Studies), subject to each program’s entrance requirements.

Fees

Expand all sections

2026 indicative fees

  •  Full-fee places: AU$14,880* (2026 total)

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$373 maximum fee for 2026*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2026 is $373.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

FEE-HELP loans

Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.

You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.

If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Explore scholarships
Expand all sections

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2026 is $373. 

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Explore scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions

This course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

Information for international students

Sorry, this course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

 

Information for local students

If you are a local student please select 'switch to local' below to view the full course information.

aboriginal flag float-start torres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures