The Graduate Certificate in Primary Health Care aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to incorporate the principles of primary health care in order to reduce inequalities in health care access and health outcomes. In Australia these principles include: maximising consumer and community participation to enable individuals and communities to be better informed and to be involved in health care decisions; encouraging partnerships between health and non-health sectors to ensure full use of resources; fostering self-management and self-reliance to increase knowledge, skills and confidence in individuals, groups and communities; and promoting health and disease prevention to attain and sustain good health and well-being.

Domestic students - Applicants for the Graduate Certificate normally require an approved undergraduate degree or equivalent. Applicants may be admitted directly into Masters if they can show evidence of relevant professional experience. Students who have completed a Graduate Certificate offered by the Department of Health or Graduate Diploma (or other qualifications deemed equivalent) receive credit when progressing to the Masters.