As organisational operations become more complex in an ever-growing global economy, the role of human resources is crucial in ensuring a positive working environment. Studying human resources in Australia equips you with practical knowledge and skills that will be more than useful in the many roles in this field.
If you want to know more about human resources programs in Australia, we will be elaborating on the benefits of studying here, costs, the best universities, and more.
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Benefits of Studying Human Resources in Australia
As a country that is culturally rich and home to numerous globally-leading universities, Australia is the ideal study destination for international students.
Here are some benefits of studying human resources in Australia:
- Excellent education system. If you decide to study human resources in Australia, you will benefit from its excellent education system and the hands-on approach to learning that most universities offer.
- High-ranking universities. Six Australian universities rank in the top 100 global universities for business & management studies (human resources are part of this category). This goes to show that these universities not only offer modern curricula but also have some of the best professors, facilities, and staff-to-student ratios.
- Work opportunities. Many students who come to Australia to study are also particularly interested in working here after graduation due to the country’s steady labour market and high salaries. Studying human resources in Australia is incredibly rewarding if you intend to work in the country, considering that it is an in-demand role.
- Projected job growth. According to Labour Market Insights, the Human Resource Professionals category comprises very high skills level roles that are projected to grow around 13.1% during the 2021-2026 period.
Careers with a Human Resources Degree
A degree in human resource management equips you with the necessary skills and theoretical knowledge that you can apply to various HR roles that are available in most industries. Human resource professionals can work in administrative and support services, public administration and safety, health care and social assistance, as well as professional, scientific, and technical services.
As for the careers you can work in as a human resource graduate, these are some of the most common roles in this field of work:
- Human Resources Officer
- Human Resources Assistant
- Employment Specialist
- Training and Development Officer
- Human Resources Generalist
- Recruitment Manager
- Human Resources Consultant
- Director of Human Resources
Entry Requirements for Human Resources Degrees in Australia
In order to study human resources programs at Australian universities, you will need to meet certain requirements and prerequisites that qualify you as an applicant. Each university sets its own requirements, which can vary depending on the type of degree and the study subject.
Therefore, if you have already decided on a program of study and the university that you will be applying to, you should check the application prerequisites and requirements directly with the university.
Here are some of the entry requirements for human resources degrees in Australia:
- Australian Year 12 qualification. A common requirement for applicants of bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programs related to human resources in Australia is that they must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification or equivalent overseas qualification.
- English language proficiency. Since English is the de facto language and language of instruction in Australia, you should also demonstrate that you meet English language proficiency requirements. For human resources programs, most universities require IELTS 6.5 to 7.0 scores, with no band scores lower than 6.0 or any other equivalent approved test scores.Â
- Mathematics knowledge. Some programs also require or assume mathematics knowledge, which you may have to prove through General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalents.
- Previous education. To apply for a human resources master’s degree in Australia, most universities require you to have completed a bachelor’s degree recognised by the university, with good prior academic performance (usually 65 to 70 or higher weighted average).
Cost of Human Resources Degrees in Australian Universities
Tuition costs for human resources degrees in Australia depend on the type of program you want to attend (undergraduate or postgraduate), the university (prestigious universities tend to cost more), and other various factors.
You should also be aware that tuition fees don’t cover additional costs such as textbooks and preparation fees. We have analysed the costs for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees related to human resources at the top Australian universities in this field.
Fees for undergraduate degree programs at these universities in 2023 range from AUD 33,000 per year to AUD 53,500 per year. Postgraduate human resources program fees at these universities range from AUD 44,288 per year to AUD 54,000 per year.
Here is the full list of 2023 fees for undergraduate degree programs at the top Australian universities for human resources:
| University | Degree | Cost |
| The University of Melbourne | Bachelor of Commerce (Management major) | AUD 46,000 per year |
| The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) | Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resource Management major) | AUD 45,340 per year |
| Monash University | Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management major) | AUD 33,000 per year |
| The University of Sydney | Bachelor of Project Management (Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management major) | AUD 53,500 per year |
| The University of Queensland | Bachelor of Business Management (Human Resources major) | AUD 44,288 per year |
| Australian National University (ANU) | Bachelor of Business Administration | AUD 46,680 per year |
| University of Technology Sydney | Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management major) | AUD 42,816 per year |
These are the 2023 postgraduate human resources program fees at the top Australian universities in this field:
| University | Degree | Cost |
| The University of Melbourne | Master of Management (Human Resources specialisation) | AUD 47,712 per year |
| The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) | Master of Commerce (Human Resource Management specialisation) | AUD 48,690 per year |
| Monash University | Master of Business Management (Human Resource Management specialisation) | AUD 4,125 per unit (12 units total) |
| The University of Sydney | Master of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations | AUD 54,000 per year |
| The University of Queensland | Master of Business (Human Resource Management specialisation) | AUD 44,288 per year |
| Australian National University (ANU) | Master of Management | AUD 46,680 per year |
| University of Technology Sydney | Master of Human Resource Management | AUD 45,936 per year |
*All fees presented above are indicative and apply only to international students.
Human Resources Degree Program Structures
When choosing a human resources degree program, it is important to select a program that offers core and elective courses that are relevant to this field of study and that prepare students for future roles in this field of work.
- If you want to apply to a bachelor’s degree program, you will have to commit to three to four years of studies if you intend to study full-time or six to eight years part-time.Â
- The duration for master’s degree programs is shorter, and you can expect to study from one and a half years to two years full-time.Â
Both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in human resources will have core courses that are mandatory, as well as elective courses that you choose according to your preferences.
Most bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programs in Australia that are related to human resources tend to be in a more general field of study, such as business, commerce, or management, in which you can choose human resources as your major or specialisation.Â
Therefore, you can expect to complete core courses that apply to human resource management but that are not directly related to it and choose from elective/specialisation courses in human resources.
Some courses you can expect to take in a human resources bachelor’s degree program include:
- Introduction to Human Resource Management
- Employee Relations and HR Practice
- Organisational Behaviour
- Strategic Human Resource Management
- People Analytics
- Recruitment and Selection
Master’s degree programs related to human resources can have some of the following courses:
- Managing Staff and Volunteers
- Managing Behaviour in Organisations
- Conflict Management
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Managing and Rewarding Performance
- Human Resource Management in a Global Context
- HR Analytics
Best Universities to Study Human Resources in Australia
A magnet for international students from all over the world, Australian universities offer some of the best human resources degree programs in the world.
Here are some of the top universities in Australia for human resources:
The University of Melbourne
With over 40% of its students being international and some of the best resources available for its students, the University of Melbourne is an excellent choice for human resource studies. Here are some of the programs it offers:
- Bachelor of Commerce (Management major)
- Graduate Certificate in Business
- Professional Certificate in Leadership
- Master of Management (Human Resources specialisation)
- Master of Commerce (Management specialisation)
- Master of Business Administration
- Doctoral Program in Management
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
Since 1949, the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) has established itself as one of Australia’s most prestigious universities. UNSW Sydney offers some high-quality courses and programs in human resource management:
- Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resource Management major)
- Bachelor of Economics (Human Resource Management major)
- Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (Human Resource Management major)
- Graduate Certificate in Commerce
- Graduate Certificate in Business
- Master of Commerce (Human Resource Management specialisation)
Monash University
With a diverse community of 86,000 students, flexible study options, and progressive values, Monash University is another leading Australian institution with some great choices for human resources programs:
- Bachelor of Business (Human resource management major)
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Graduate Certificate in Business
- Graduate Diploma in Business
- Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management
- Master of Business Management (Human Resource Management specialisation)
- Master of Business
- Master of Business Administration
The University of Sydney
Founded in 1850, the University of Sydney is a standard-setting Australian university, with major contributions to education and research in the country and globally. Some of the undergraduate and graduate human resources programs offered at this university include:
- Bachelor of Project Management (Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management major)
- Bachelor of Commerce (Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management major)
- Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations
- Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations
- Master of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations
- Master of Philosophy (Business)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Business)
The University of Queensland
Ranking among the top 100 universities globally, the University of Queensland has a strong reputation of teaching and research excellence. Being part of the Group of Eight, this university undoubtedly offers some of the finest human resources programs in the country:
- Bachelor of Business Management (Human Resources major)
- Bachelor of Advances Business (Human Resources major)
- Master of Business (Human Resource Management specialisation)
- Master of Global Management (International Enterprise Management specialisation)
- Master of Philosophy
- Doctor of Philosophy
Australian National University (ANU)
Home to six Nobel laureates and countless influential alumni, the Australian National University (ANU) attracts students from all over the world due to its high-quality undergraduate, graduate, and research programs. Here, you will find a variety of choices for human resources degrees:
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Commerce (Management major)
- Bachelor of International Business
- Graduate Certificate of Management
- Master of Leadership
- Master of International Management
- Master of Management
- Master of Project Management
- Doctor of Philosophy, ANU College of Business and Economics
University of Technology Sydney
With over 130 undergraduate and 210 postgraduate courses in countless disciplines, the University of Technology Sydney has established itself as a university with leading domestic and global impact. This institution offers a variety of human resources programs in the undergraduate and postgraduate levels:
- Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management major)
- Bachelor of Business Administration (Domestic students only)
- Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management
- Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management
- Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
- Graduate Diploma in Business Administration
- Master of Human Resource Management
- Master of Human Resource Management (Extension)
- Master of Business (Research)
Human resources roles are rewarding and indispensable to the modern workplace, but they are also equally challenging. Studying human resources in Australia is a great opportunity to learn through unique curricula and gain a global perspective on issues concerning human resource management, so that you are more than prepared to join the workforce.
