Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
120Course code
Overview
The Master of Aeromedical Retrieval is an innovative course designed for healthcare professionals seeking to extend their knowledge of aeromedical retrieval. Developed in partnership with The National Critical Care Trauma Response Centre, CareFlight (NT) and The Royal Flying Doctor Services (SA and Central Operations), this is a practical and industry-relevant course for nurses, midwives, physicians and other health professionals. The Master of Aeromedical Retrieval will build on fundamental principles and your clinical practice, equipping you to provide safe clinical care in the air in national and international situations. You will study mostly online and complete on-campus intensives. This flexible course addresses delivery processes, critical reflection on aeromedical retrieval practice, and the effects of policy and politics on health care provision, access and individual agency. The Master in Aeromedical Retrieval will analyse the essentials of retrieval from neonatal care to adult care, including obstetrics. An often-overlooked component of aeromedical retrieval is logistics.
This course is an opportunity to critically reflect on both domestic and international logistics considerations. This course, underpinned by cultural safety framework principles of safety and competence, will expand on your current or recent experience within the health service. During the course you will undertake education and assessments that have a direct application to your current or future professional practice and context. The course is external with one residential week hosted in Darwin for two of the core units - HEA581 Essential Skills in Adult and Obstetric Retrieval and HEA582 Essential Skills in Neonatal and Paediatric Retrieval.
Career opportunities
This course will enhance and develop the knowledge and skills for roles which manage the emergency transport of patients by aeromedical retrieval. Graduates of this course have the knowledge and skills to critically analyse aeromedical systems and contribute meaningfully to system improvement. The course examines the fundamentals and principles of aeromedical retrieval as well as the logistic components from the domestic to international level. Completion of this course in addition to clinical experience in the aeromedical field, positions graduates to undertake senior clinical and administrative roles within aeromedical organisations.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2025 is AUD $31,584.00. This equates to $ $3,948.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to upskill in the field of healthcare. Advance your career with CDU's wide range of postgraduate health courses to develop specialist skills and knowledge that help you transition into leadership roles.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 5 Australian university for postgraduate teaching quality in health services and support (GUG 2024)
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to upskill in the field of healthcare. Advance your career with CDU's wide range of postgraduate health courses to develop specialist skills and knowledge that help you transition into leadership roles.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 5 Australian university for postgraduate teaching quality in health services and support (GUG 2024)
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
Why study a health course at CDU?
As an increasingly in-demand industry, there's never been a better time to find a career in healthcare. Become a qualified health professional with CDU's wide range of courses and gain the skills and knowledge to make an impact on the wellbeing of your community.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Placements and research opportunities in the NT, across Australia, and around the world
- Uniquely positioned to explore Indigenous and Asia-Pacific health, tropical medicine and other issues of international importance
What will I study?
This 120-credit point course consists of six core units (60 CP) and specialist elective units (60 CP)
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 120 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core (6 units) | 60cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 60 credit points as per the list of units detailed below: HEA580 Fundamentals in Aeromedical Retrieval HEA581 Essential Skills in Adult and Obstetric Retrieval HEA582 Essential Skills in Neonatal and Paediatric Retrieval HEA583 Domestic and International Logistics HEA584 Human System Extremes PHM552 Epidemiology |
| Specialist Elective (4 - 6 units) | 60cp | Specialist Elective Units totalling 60 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below: HEA515 Health Informatics |
| 120cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise stated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2025
HSC501 Interprofessional Practice added as a specialist elective
SWK556 Trauma Informed Practice added as a specialist elective
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2023
- HEA572 and HEA573 moved from Core units to Specialist Elective units.
- HEA587 and HEA588 have been added as additional Specialist Elective units
- Due to HEA572 and HEA573 moving from Core to Specialist Elective units; Core unit requirements have decreased from 100 credit points to 60 credit points and Specialist Elective units have increased from 20 credit points to 60 credit points.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2022
HEA585 Fundamentals of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response and HEA586 Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters added as additional Specialist Electives from 2022.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| HEA580 Fundamentals in Aeromedical Retrieval | CO | HEA581* Essential Skills in Adult and Obstetric Retrieval | CO |
| HEA582* Essential Skills in Neonatal and Paediatric Retrieval | CO | HEA584 Human System Extremes (external only) | CO |
| HEA583 Domestic and International Logistics | CO | Specialist Elective 1 (10cp) | SE |
| PHM552 Epidemiology | CO | Specialist Elective 2 (10cp) | SE |
| Year 2 | |||
| Specialist Elective 3 (10cp) | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 4 (10cp) | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 5 (10cp) | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 6 (10cp) | SE | ||
*HEA581 and HEA582 includes a 5 day on-campus intensive
Specialist Elective Availability
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| HEA515 Health Informatics HEA585 Fundamentals of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (not available from 2024) HEA586 Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters (not available from 2024) PHM516 Indigenous Health PHM592 Global Health HEA572 Applied Health Project A (20cp) (not offered in 2025) HEA573 Applied Health Project B (20cp) HSC501 Interprofessional Practice | HEA515 Health Informatics HEA525 Emotional Intelligence in Practice HEA587 Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to Human Made Disasters (not available from 2024) HEA588 Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to Communicable Disease Outbreaks (not available from 2024) PHM553 Biostatistics PHM593 Tropical Child and Adolescent Health SWK556 Trauma Informed Practice |
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| HEA580 Fundamentals in Aeromedical Retrieval | CO | HEA581* Essential Skills in Adult and Obstetric Retrieval | CO |
| HEA583 Domestic and International Logistics (External) | CO | HEA584 Human System Extremes | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| HEA582* Essential Skills in Neonatal and Paediatric Retrieval | CO | Specialist Elective 1 (10cp) | SE |
| Specialist Elective 1 (10cp) | CO | Specialist Elective 2 (10cp) | SE |
| Year 3 | |||
| Specialist Elective 3 (10cp) | SE | Specialist Elective 5 (10cp) | SE |
| Specialist Elective 4 (10cp) | SE | Specialist Elective 6 (10cp) | SE |
*HEA581 and HEA582 includes a 5 day on-campus intensive
Specialist Elective Availability
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| HEA515 Health Informatics HEA585 Fundamentals of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (not available from 2024) HEA586 Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters (not available from 2024) PHM516 Indigenous Health PHM592 Global Health HEA572 Applied Health Project A (20cp) (not offered in 2025) HEA573 Applied Health Project B (20cp) HSC501 Interprofessional Practice | HEA515 Health Informatics HEA525 Emotional Intelligence in Practice HEA587 Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to Human Made Disasters (not available from 2024) HEA588 Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to Communicable Disease Outbreaks (not available from 2024) PHM553 Biostatistics PHM593 Tropical Child and Adolescent Health SWK556 Trauma Informed Practice |
Students commencing in Semester 2
This course is not available for entry in Semester 2.
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Agency (AHPRA) in medicine, nursing, paramedicine or midwifery.
Applicants with AHPRA registration not listed above will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
It is expected applicants have recent work experience in a health setting.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - International students
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.
Nishat
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
My advice for anyone who is considering studying a health or science degree at CDU is if you are thinking about it, just do it.
Nishat
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
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