Key Facts
$16,465.68 * International
Course Overview
This brand-new self-paced online Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care is designed specifically for busy professionals seeking to enhance their skills and specialise in trauma-informed care. By blending advanced theoretical concepts with practical applications, this course prepares students to effectively navigate complex trauma-related challenges in professional settings.
The programme consists of three core units, which provide foundational knowledge of trauma, core principles and frameworks, an interdisciplinary focus emphasising diverse groups, and ethical and regulatory understanding. To tailor the course to their specific interests, students can choose between two elective units: Trauma-Informed Care and Family, Domestic, and Sexual Violence or Trauma-Informed Care and Leadership. The first elective offers an in-depth exploration of trauma-informed approaches to FDSV, addressing systemic barriers, ethical issues, and culturally safe practices, while the second focuses on cultivating leadership skills for implementing trauma-informed care in organisations, managing vicarious trauma, and fostering systemic resilience.
With this comprehensive and flexible programme, graduates will be well-equipped to excel in their chosen career path, drive meaningful change, and contribute to the overall well-being of the communities they serve.
Please note: Cairnmillar’s courses are subject to minimum and maximum group numbers. Courses may be cancelled or postponed if minimum numbers are not achieved by the start date of the course. Courses may close prior to the start date if the maximum numbers are reached. In that situation, eligible applicants will be offered a place in the next available intake.
Application Period
Applications for 2025 mid-year are now open!
Please visit our How to Apply page for instructions and a link to the application portal.
See also our FAQ page for important information on applying and studying with Cairnmillar.
Information Session
Register for the upcoming information session: 19 May 2025 (Monday) 5 PM AEST
Course Structure
The Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care consists of 50 credit points across a total of four units of study. All four are coursework units.
Part-time (1 year) structure:
| Semester | Unit Code | Unit Name | Credit Points |
| 1 | TIC401 | Foundations in Trauma-Informed Care | 12.5 |
| 1 | TIC402 | Trauma-Informed Assessment, Treatment Planning, and Recovery | 12.5 |
| 2 | TIC403 | Intergenerational Trauma and Trauma-Focused Interventions | 12.5 |
| 2 | TIC404 | Elective 1: Trauma-Informed Care and Family, Domestic, and Sexual Violence | 12.5 |
| 2 | TIC405 | Elective 2: Trauma-Informed Care and Leadership | 12.5 |
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have:
- completed an Australian undergraduate (AQF level 7) degree) in a related discipline (such as social work, social sciences, psychology, counselling or similar), OR
- a minimum three-year Australian Bachelor degree (AQF 7) in any discipline AND relevant work experience, OR
- successful completion of a Diploma (AFQ 5) OR Advanced Diploma (AFQ 6) AND at least one year’s work experience in a relevant field
Applicants will also be required to submit proof of identity/citizenship, in the form of a passport, birth certificate or citizenship certificate.
Please note this course is not available to international student applications. To see which courses at Cairnmillar are, please visit the Find a Course page.
Graduate Learning Outcomes
Students who satisfactorily complete the Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of the specialist trauma informed theories and models fundamental for work with a wide range of diverse populations.
- Critically analyse the application of trauma informed principles to current assessment processes, treatment planning, and/or interventions.
- Integrate theory and practice to develop client-centered, trauma-focused interventions for individuals exposed to a range of traumatic experiences.
- Demonstrate crucial reasoning, judgement and problem solving to the exploration of a range of professional, legal, regulatory, and ethical practice issues.
- Communicate clearly, effectively, and professionally across a range of contexts including writing, the online environment, and in teams.
- Demonstrate self-motivated and self-directed learning principles that facilitate lifelong learning and ongoing professional development.
Fees & Scholarships
**Total fees are estimates only based on the current fee schedule. Annual tuition fee review and possible increases applies, see: Fees & Scholarships.
For information on tuition fees and what scholarships might apply to this course, please visit the Fees & Scholarships page.
Career Opportunities & Study Pathways
Graduates of this program will be well-positioned to work across diverse fields requiring trauma informed
expertise. Employment opportunities include:
- Trauma Counselling and Therapy
- Social Work and Case Management
- Organised Leadership
Accreditation
The Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care is a Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) accredited program.
This program sits within level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Students applying for this program may enter a process in which they may be granted credit or partial credit towards the qualification. This requires evidence of previous experience where an equivalence of earlier learning can be established.
Credit transfer for an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) course, is only applicable for recently completed APAC accredited programs of an equivalent level. Credit or partial credit is not granted in recognition of knowledge or skills gained through work or life experience.
Cairnmillar’s RPL policy can be viewed here and further information can be found here.
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