Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

• a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology, occupational therapy, medicine or an equivalent qualification as recognised by UWA

OR

• an accredited bachelor’s honours degree in psychology, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA

AND

• registration with the professional body of your specialisation, as recognised by UWA, and
• evidence of having at least three months of full-time equivalent relevant experience working directly with children, adolescents or adults, as recognised by UWA.

AND

• a satisfactory personal statement, as recognised by UWA outlining why you would like to study the GCAD. It is helpful to consider your experience with Autism as well as how you intend to use the skills in your professional practice.

AND

• a curriculum vitae summarising relevant occupational and practical experience, as recognised by UWA.

Application process and timelines

• Applications for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis in 2024 open on 1 August 2023 and close on 31 October 2023.
• Interview dates to be advised.

Course offers

• Course offers are planned to commence in November.

Important course and unit information

• The Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis comprises 24 credit points, including the units PSYC5520, PSYC5521, PYSC5522 and PSYC5523.

• Successful applicants who gain a place in the Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis will be required to complete the seven micro-credentials that comprise the first two coursework units (PSYC5520 and PSYC5521).
• The units PSYC5520 and PSYC5521 are not available to be studied in the course and will be credited upon successful completion of the micro-credential units PSYCM510, PSYCM511, PSYCM512, PSYCM513, PSYCM514, PSYCM515, and PSYCM516.
• All students undertaking this course must complete these micro-credential units in order to be awarded credit for PSYC5520 and PSYC5521 and complete the course.
• Please note: Micro-credential units require upfront payment of tuition and are not available via a FEE-HELP loan.

Course commencement information

• The seven micro-credential units will be available for enrolment in early 2024, allowing sufficient time for completion of micro-credentials prior to commencement of PSYC5522 and PSYC5523.
• PSYC5522 and PSYC5523 commence from May 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

What else do I need to include in my application?

You also need to ask two referees to complete a referral to support your application. You should consider asking referees who can support your capacity to cope with the study demands of the GCAD, as well as those who can attest to your clinical knowledge, skills and experience. If it has been a long time since you completed your university training, we accept referee reports from work supervisors or colleagues who you work closely with and who know you and your work well.

You need to submit a curriculum vitae summarising relevant occupational and practical experience. Additional documentation such as English language competency, working with children checks, academic transcripts and identification may also be required depending on your circumstances.

How many students do you accept?

Usually about 15-25 each year/in each cohort, sometimes a few more and sometimes a few less depending on how many applicants meet the admission requirements, and teacher-student ratio in the applied/practical units PSYC5522 and PSYC5523.

Do I have to have previous clinical experience assessing or supporting autistic individuals to be offered a place?

Previous clinical experience assessing and/or supporting autistic children, young people or adults is not essential (relevant clinical experience with children, adolescents or adults is required), but it is always helpful and is therefore desirable. We have accepted applicants who have limited experience working with autistic individuals but who are currently in roles where they can apply their training.

Do I need to live in Perth to be accepted?

The course is now delivered fully online. Therefore we accept students from all over Australia. We also accept applicants from New Zealand. We are currently not able to accept international applicants outside of Australia and New Zealand for our 2024 GCAD intake.

• Have you provided academic transcripts of any tertiary studies that you completed at a university other than UWA?
• Have you provided a Curriculum Vitae, which includes:

1. The names and contact details of two academic referees supporting your application.
2. Details of any relevant work experience that you have undertaken.
3. A personal statement regarding why you want to do this course (1 page max.)