Masters of HR Management Online in Australia

Compare the best online master’s degrees in HR from across Australia. See courses from UNSW Online, UTS Online, ECU Online, and more.

Human resources (HR) manager

Start or boost your human resources career with an online degree for graduates.

Studying for a Master of Human Resource Management is a way to become a human resources manager or give your current HR career a boost. Programs are open to uni grads (any discipline) and professionals with relevant experience.

Course Overview

HRM is a rewarding career in Australia due to the demand for expertise across virtually every organisation. A master's degree in this field positions you for high-paying roles such as HR manager, HR director, and recruitment manager.

The program can be completed within a reasonable timeframe. With credit for relevant qualifications, the duration can be as short as 18 months part-time. Without prior qualifications and experience, 2 years of part-time study is more typical.

The course will cultivate knowledge and skills for the key activities of HR managers while also offering opportunities for specialisation. Topics may include managing people and organisations, performance management, employee relations, and learning and development.

Best Degrees for an HR Manager

Among the best master's degrees, a few options stand out. You can opt for a professional degree that readies you for diverse HR roles, a leadership HR master's with an emphasis on executive responsibilities, or an MBA to develop broader managerial capacities.

ECU Online - Master of Human Resource Management

The 100% online Master of Human Resource Management from ECU Online is flexible and exam-free. Study is accelerated, meaning you learn part-time throughout the year. You can also fast-track your degree, and skip 3 of the 12 subjects, if you have a major in HR, management, business administration, or employment and/or industrial relations. Students explore the key aspects of being an HR manager, including managing people and organisations, employee relations, managing and rewarding performance, healthy work and wellbeing, and people analytics.

UTS Online - MBA (Organisational Learning)

The flexible MBA from UTS Online has an 'Organisational Learning' specialisation. The program suits HR managers who want to lead and support innovation in how employees learn. The 100% online MBA is made up of 12 subjects, with 8 core subjects and 4 electives. For this specialisation, you have 6 electives to choose from: Designing Innovative Learning, Evaluating Learning and Innovation, Leading Innovative Practices, Leading Learning, Mentoring in the Workplace, and Strategic Learning in Workplaces. The forward-looking MBA also explores business analytics, finance for managers, leading people and change, and strategy and negotiation.

Why an HR Master's Degree is Worthwhile

While a business bachelor degree with an HR major offers sound career preparation, a master's degree with an HR specialisation is optimal for long-term career success.

A high level of education is anticipated for HR managers, given much of the job is to develop employees and recruit and manage highly qualified candidates. Without a higher level of educational attainment, you might lack relevant experience and authority.

With a masters in HR, you learn how to manage staff strategically. For example, program participants explore how to align employee and company goals to achieve great results for everybody. Online HR masters allow you to do this kind of training as a working professional.

Related: Human Resources (HR) Manager Qualifications in Australia

FAQs

What Graduates Have to Say

Kelly Hallatt, Head of HR and Consulting Services at Harrisons, highlights how her Master of Human Resource Management shaped her career. “A lot of HR professionals lack knowledge around finance and accounting,” she says. “This degree teaches you about the bottom line as well as the people side of things.” She reflects, “One of the things my manager explained was how relevant the course is to what we do daily in HR. That inspired me to take the leap.”

Kelly Hallatt

Kelly Hallatt

Nessá Wright, COO at Merri Health, reflects on how her Master of Employment Relations helped her career. "Leaders in the past told me about the importance of having the theory behind the practice, and that was really the driver." Flexibility was key to her decision to study online. "I couldn’t afford to take time off work or study on campus full-time." She particularly valued the negotiation and dispute resolution course. "It was so practical, and I use it every single day."

Nessa Wright

Nessa Wright