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Graduate Diploma of Land and Sea Country Management

Postgraduate coursework

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will gain specialist skills in land management to protect natural and cultural environments in Australia.

This course is only available for domestic students.

Key facts

Duration

1 year full-time or part-time equivalent

Locations

Waurn Ponds (Geelong)*

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Land and Sea Country Management provides specialist skills for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students involved in the areas of land management facilitation, caring for Country, environmental management, waste and water management, cultural heritage interpretation and protection, sustainability, project management and education. A key focus of the course is the exploration and convergence of Western Knowledge Systems and the application of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems that are currently building a more collaborative approach to the protection of both natural and cultural environments in Australia.

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Course information

Award granted
Graduate Diploma of Land and Sea Country Management
Year

2025 course information

Deakin code
A660
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

The course comprises eight compulsory core units, each worth 1 credit point. Students must also complete

  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin DAI001
  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

  • Interpreting Cultural Landscapes
  • Exploring Collaborative Land Management
  • Environmental Policy Issues - Land, Water and Sea
  • Media and the Environment
  • Whole of Country Planning and Project Management
  • Researching for Country
  • Facilitation Skills for Land Management
  • And

  • Professional Practice for Managing Country
  • Or

  • Intangible Cultural Heritage
  • 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:
      • Waurn Ponds (Geelong)

    Trimester 2 - July

    • Start date: July
    • Available at:
      • Waurn Ponds (Geelong)

    Please note: This course is available through the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI). Students undertake intensive blocks of study under community-based delivery (CBD). Please refer to the NIKERI website.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can apply directly through the NIKERI Institute.

    Alternate exits

    Course duration

    Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

    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 or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

    A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

    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:

    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.

    Fees and scholarships

    Fee information

    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. One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value.

    The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight 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.

    Scholarship options

    A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have 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.

    Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

    Apply now

    Indigenous students

    Courses at Deakin are flexible and culturally inclusive. Explore the various ways you can apply to study this course - including through the NIKERI Institute and via the Indigenous Access Scheme.

    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.

    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 Articulate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural knowledge and its underlying custodial ethic in the context of contemporary natural and cultural resource management.

    Apply Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and use the principles of project planning, management and implementation to contribute, realise and protect cultural heritage and the environment.

    Integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and Western knowledge to inform contemporary environmental management practices.

    Communication Apply Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge of cultural perspectives to communicate with a variety of audiences and engage in a community-based approach to contribute to and influence Western government policy designs and managerial practice.
    Digital literacy Apply knowledge of relevant technical tools and methodologies to locate, collect, analyse, interpret and synthesise complex information regarding natural and cultural landscapes.

    Transform information and experiences into a narrative and use digital technologies to demonstrate the ability to record and document experiences and cultural practice.

    Critical thinking Critically analyse contemporary natural and cultural resource management governance frameworks and evaluate practices in order to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander perspectives to mitigate negative outcomes for natural and cultural heritage and resource environments.
    Problem solving Facilitate dialogue, consult with community Elders, government and non-government agencies and research institutions to identify possible approaches to managing natural and cultural resources.

    Integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural perspectives and natural and cultural resource management frameworks to create realistic solutions to authentic real world projects and programs.

    Self-management Demonstrate the ability to initiate projects and work independently and collaboratively to plan, manage, respond to and realise the management of natural and cultural resources.
    Teamwork Critically reflect on the needs of the community and develop processes in order to work as a team in a sensitive manner to coordinate, facilitate and manage natural and cultural resources.
    Global citizenship Observe appropriate protocols when discussing and facilitating management of Country in a consultative, ethical and sensitive manner for scholarship or professional practice.

    Approved at Faculty Board July 2016