Human resources professionals are always in demand. To build a career in this dynamic field, here are the best online HR courses from Australia.
A good education is vital in human resources (HR). The job is about maximising human potential, so you should be well educated and trained yourself. Online HR courses include certificates, diplomas, degrees and post graduate courses.
Colleges, TAFE providers and Australian universities offer online human resources courses at all levels. Students build HR skills by learning how to do essential people management tasks. Let's explore the different programs available and find the best one for you.
HR Courses
Why Study Human Resources?
Studying human resources management gives you skills that are useful in any organisation with employees. That makes you widely employable and opens a pathway to an interesting career with high pay and strong job security.
If you have the right attributes, a human resources course is a great investment in your work future. You'll create job opportunities and the ability to forge a successful career.
Working in HR places you as the link person between workers and management. To perform well, you need strong people skills. You are likely to thrive if enjoy a role that requires listening, having empathy, guiding, advocating and being firm when required.
Caring about people's welfare and development is perhaps what matters most for a successful career. All the relevant skills can be developed. Ultimately, though, you must want to overcome challenges involved with managing employee relations.
People are the most important asset to any business or non-profit enterprise. As a qualified HR professional, you're responsible for managing people to achieve organisation objectives. You might handle jobs such as workforce planning, recruitment, training, performance management, conflict resolution and workplace relations.
A good HR manager makes a big contribution to an organisation's performance. You may play a pivotal role in successful employee recruitment, development, morale building and retention. Human resource managers can help build a high performing team. The impact you have on people and the business is often direct and significant.
You also operate in a dynamic environment with constant variety. Every employee and team is different. Organisations also evolve. There is no way to predict what issues may arise from one day to the next.
Every organisation has HR tasks and every large organisation has an HR department. That means professionals in this field have access to diverse jobs in every city. Human resources management is one of the most flexible jobs around.
You also have the ability to keep advancing your career, which provides an ongoing source of motivation.
As a graduate, you may do things such as processing employee paperwork, drafting job descriptions, and compiling staff statistics. As you move up, you may concentrate on a discipline such as training, performance and salaries, risk management or employee relations. At a senior level, you may handle grievances, procure training programs, do contract negotiations and manage teams.
Certificate IV in Human Resources
If you have no previous HR qualifications or experience, you can start your career journey with a Certificate IV in Human Resource Management. The nationally accredited qualification gives you foundational administrative skills in areas such as recruitment, performance management, learning and development, and workplace safety.
BSB40420 Certificate IV in Human Resource Management
The Certificate IV in Human Resource Management is a 12-subject course that's part of the National Qualifications Framework. The 6 core units are: Administer performance development processes; Support employee and industrial relations; Support the learning and development of teams and individuals; Coordinate recruitment and onboarding; Support human resource functions and processes; and Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs. Online course options are offered by many training providers and the average duration is around 14 months.
Diploma in HR Management
A Diploma of Human Resource Management is a step up from the Certificate IV. You're required to have completed some HR studies previously or have at least two years of relevant work experience. The units of study are more focused on completing tasks independently as opposed to supporting others.
BSB50320 Diploma of Human Resource Management
The Diploma of Human Resource Management gives you applied training to competently perform a range of HR functions in the workplace. You'll learn how to coordinate activities across teams, implement staffing plans, ensure compliance with workplace health and safety regulations, and coordinate learning and development processes. The 1-year program consists of 7 core subjects and 5 elective units. Gaining the diploma qualifies you to undertake an advanced diploma in HR management. Most training providers offer this course online.
Bachelor of Human Resources
You can study human resources as part of a 3-year business degree. You'll find the study field in almost all undergraduate business programs. As well, you can major in human resources management with some online universities. To qualify for the major, HR subjects may need to comprise 25% of your individual program in year 1, at least 37.5% in year 2 and 50% in your final year.
University of New England
The University of New England has a large online business program. Students graduating with a major in Human Resource Management are eligible to become a professional member of the Australian Human Resources Institute. The degree program teaches methods for understanding and managing human behaviour in the workplace. You also learn how to manage people within legal and regulatory frameworks for business.
Comprised of 3-4 subjects from a master's program, the shortest accredited HR course is a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management.
Earning a grad cert qualifies you to work in HR after just 6-8 months of part-time study. It can be similar to a bachelor degree in terms of career impact, and you also have the option to continue with the rest of the master's degree.
A graduate certificate is typically a multi-purpose course open to degree holders and experienced professionals. It is a useful way to gain a competitive edge or prepare for a career transition... READ MORE
Masters in HR Management
For anyone aspiring to go far as an HR manager, a Masters in Human Resource Management is a worthy qualification. These programs are comprehensive and designed for HR professionals as well as people looking to enter the field.
Good masters programs are similar, covering universal topics such as employment relations, strategic human resource development, managing people and organisations, diversity, and performance management.
Course duration depends on your background. Credit may be available if you have a business degree, especially one with an HR focus... READ MORE
Study Online
By studying HR online, you earn a qualification in the most convenient way. Course material is all available online. You never have to attend a lecture or tutorial on campus. Postgraduate courses are normally exam-free as well.
Whatever type of program you're interested in, you're able to study online. The range of HR courses is considerable at vocational education and training (VET), bachelor and postgraduate levels.
Certificate IV, diploma and advanced diploma are commonly available for online learning. Relatively few providers limit study to on-campus only.
HR bachelor degrees are available from many of Australia's leading universities, especially those specialising in online study. You'll typically study in a semester format, similar to on-campus students, but with virtual classes. A third semester (trimester) may be available over the summer months.
If you have a degree and relevant job experience, the main options are a graduate certificate or masters in human resources management. These courses are designed for part-time study by working professionals. You'll normally complete a single subject every two months. Often, graduate certificates are worth it in their own right, while also forming part of an optional master's degree.
By studying year-round (accelerated), you can complete up to six subjects each year. Different types of graduate certificates in business are available depending on your skill development requirements.
Online courses are structured for maximum convenience and flexibility. Many students combine study with full-time or part-time work. Human resources degrees and courses are often accelerated, meaning you're able to finish quicker by studying year-round.
Whatever your background and qualifications, you can find a suitable program. Here are guidelines for course admission. Please check with individual providers for detailed entry requirements for any given course.
Certificate IV: No entry requirements
Diploma: You need either two years of relevant professional experience or to have completed some relevant subjects contained in the Certificate IV HR course.
Advanced diploma: Four years of relevant work experience or the HR diploma qualification.
Bachelor degree: Entry to business school is normally based on ATAR scores.
Postgraduate programs: Any bachelor degree OR extensive professional experience (e.g. 5 years).
Course fees
Vocational education and training (VET) courses in HR tend to be significantly cheaper than university-level courses. But the disadvantage is that the career opportunities they create may also be significantly less.
Tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate university courses are covered by HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP respectively. That means you're not required to pay anything up front and only gradually pay off the loans based on your annual income tax returns.
Career Opportunities
The human resources field is abundant with different kinds of job opportunities, including entry-level roles. Almost every medium to large organisation has an HR team and you can take on support, specialist and management positions within a given group.
Job growth for degree holders will remain strong according to Australian Government data, with projected expansions of 13.1% and 16.3% for HR professionals and managers respectively over the 5 years to 2027. Job growth for HR clerks is forecast to be more subdued, with employment growing by 6%. More than 200,000 HR workers are employed in Australia.
Human resources jobs list
Careers Adviser • Employment and Industrial Relations Consultant • HR Manager • HR Officer • Industrial Relations Officer • Learning and Development Manager • Management Consultant • Occupational Health and Safety Manager • Office Manager • Organisational Development Manager • Recruitment Consultant • Trade Union Official • Training and Development Officer • Workplace Relations Adviser
