Key facts
Duration
Locations
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2024 are closed.
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2025 close 16 February 2025
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Take your finance and accounting skills to the next level with a Graduate Certificate of Public Accounting. Whether you're seeking a career change, a boost to your existing skillset or you are looking to gain the expertise required to secure a management role, this course will get you ready to make an impact. With finance jobs expected to increase by 15.5% and accounting jobs by 17.9% by 2033*, secure your future in a rapidly growing sector.
Ready to unlock exciting career opportunities in the business sector?
Develop the in-demand skills and professional recognition required to thrive in accounting and finance. Tailor your learning to your career goals with a range of course electives in accounting, tax law and financial planning. Learn from industry experts while gaining the practical skills and knowledge needed for the next step in your career.
This course offers a pathway into Deakin's Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, subject to satisfying other program requirements.
*2023 Employment Projections for the ten years to 2033, Job Skills Australia
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Public Accounting
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- M512
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Public Accounting, students must attain a total of 4 credit points of course electives from a list of specified units, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin.
Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point.
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Course elective units
Ethics course electives:
Complete 1 unit from:
or
*Students requiring FAS accreditation must complete MAI769 or MAA769.
Plus
Complete 3 units chosen from any of the following units listed below:
(Note: for ease of reference units are grouped into accounting, tax law and financial planning electives)
Accounting course electives:
Tax Law course electives:
Financial Planning course electives:
^MAI and MLI code denotes Intensive versions of the units.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Mandatory student checks
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
Workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher
- at least two years’ relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Members of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) who have successfully completed IPA001 Ethics for Financial Services unit will receive credit for either MAA769 Ethics for Financial Services or MAA763 Governance and Fraud.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
FEE-HELP calculator
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $54,435.
Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2025 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
Estimate your FEE-HELP
FEE-HELP payments
per pay cycle
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after FEE-HELP and tax
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Your estimated FEE-HELP repayments
- $* is the estimated full cost for a Graduate Certificate of Public Accounting (4 credit points), based on the 2025 fees.
- is the annual FEE-HELP payment, based on your current salary
- of your current salary be spent on FEE-HELP
*Disclaimer
Deakin University (Deakin):
- gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
- advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
- instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.
Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:
- does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
- does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 10% Deakin alumni discount);
- assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if recognition of prior learning is granted;
- assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
- assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
- where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Monday - Friday
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Career outcomes
Graduates of this course are typically already employed and seeking enhanced employment opportunities in areas of accounting such as:
- financial accounting
- financial planning/advising
- taxation
Professional recognition
Completion of the appropriate selection of units within the Graduate Certificate of Public Accounting grants eligibility to higher professional membership levels as administered by the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). To complete the Graduate Certificate, you must complete one ethics course elective (either MAA769/MAI769 or MAA763*), and three additional course elective units from the range agreed by the IPA.
Students are advised to choose course elective subjects that best suit their personal and professional development needs and provide the potential to contribute towards any relevant professional requirements (e.g. financial advisers)
In this course you will choose four course elective units, including an ethics unit in keeping with the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) move to bolster ethics training requirements. Depending on the entry pathway, the ethics unit meets both Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) and the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board (APESB) ethics requirements.
*MAA763 is not accredited by FAS.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate conceptual knowledge on accounting and ethical theories and principles to public accounting practice and business decision models |
| Communication | Communicate the merits of alternate solutions to real-world business issues with reference to relevant accounting and ethical standards |
| Digital literacy | Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise information in the application of accounting frameworks for business decision making |
| Problem solving | Determine ways to resolve a firm’s financial constraints through appropriate match with the theoretical solutions |
| Self-management | Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award |
| Teamwork | Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award |
| Global citizenship | Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award |