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
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
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.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
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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