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. 

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Student type:
Mode of study:
On campus and blended learning
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Part-time 1 year
Full-time 6 months
Fees:

AU$13,440 (2023 total)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Mode of study:
On campus and blended learning
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Not applicable
Fees:

Not applicable

Next intake:
Not applicable
Location:
Not applicable

Overview

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

Practitioners and students in sectors including community services, youth and social work, mental health, education, alcohol and drugs, housing and homelessness, local and state government, criminal justice, criminology, and psychology will benefit from this certificate's practical and theoretical content.

Taught by leading policy academics and professionals, this graduate certificate combines studies in gendered violence, responding to family violence, preventing violence against women, and more. To help you prepare to take on a role in this important field, you’ll choose from specialisations in case management practice, primary prevention, policy advocacy or research and course evaluation. You'll explore the latest debates, issues, and approaches to domestic and family violence response, prevention, policy and management.

Graduates will be ready for employment in both responding to family violence and in the prevention of violence against women. This may include family violence intake, outreach, prevention course design and implementation, as well as roles as policymakers, advocates, and managers in government, and non-government organisations.

Graduates will meet the minimum mandatory requirement to work within family violence. They will also be able to respond to the prevention of violence against women and may find employment within family violence intake, outreach, prevention course design and implementation, as well as roles as policymakers, advocates, and managers in government, and non-government organisations.

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

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RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches.

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 face-to-face workshops as well as online coursework and participation.

You will have access to online and digital resources like RMIT's Learning Hub and the student portal.

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

Blended learning options

Courses offered as part of blended learning programs include a meaningful blend of online, on-campus, and workplace based learning tailored to the type of study you undertake. This learning is active, prioritising tasks that involve exploration and development of skills and knowledge through interaction and engagement.

Online aspects provide positive benefits such as flexibility and adaptability using digital activities and materials, while also strengthening the interaction and connection with timetabled and on-campus experiences such as tutorials, practicals, or workshops.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

The Graduate Certificate in Domestic and Family Violence has been developed in consultation with sector professionals to deliver real-world practice knowledge into the learning content online and in applied, skill-based workshops.

The certificate is overseen by an expert Industry Advisory Committee, with representation from the family violence response and prevention sectors, and both government and non-government agencies and direct services. The committee provides ongoing feedback to ensure this graduate certificate continues to align with the recruitment needs of the Victorian family violence sector.

One RMIT industry partner consulted in the development of the curriculum is the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV). CEO Emily McGuire says the graduate certificate reflects the changing needs of the workforce.

RMIT’s Global Experience Office (GEO) supports students to undertake exchange or short-term mobility activities with over 165 partner universities worldwide.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

This graduate certificate comprises three compulsory subject and one elective, which will enable students to further specialise in specific areas, such as intake and casework, primary prevention, policy, research and/or management. 

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
0.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
GC164
Location
City Campus
Duration
0.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
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.

Job Outlook projects that work opportunities for welfare support workers are set to increase by 22.7% to 2024. Job Outlook also estimates that the most common annual salary for a case manager in Australia is between $65,000 and $75,000.

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

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 five years of professional work experience in Australian domestic and/or family violence services, or an allied human and/or community services sector.

To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.

*If your qualification was completed more than 10 years ago you will need to provide evidence of ongoing professional work and/or professional development in the same discipline as the program for which you are seeking entry to be granted credit.

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

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

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.

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

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2023 indicative fees

  • Full-fee places: AU$13,440.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$326 maximum fee for 2023*.
  • 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 2023 is $326. 

For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.

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

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.

This program is approved for income support.

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.

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The total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$16,800.

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.

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.

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.

Sorry, this program 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.

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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 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

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.

More information