Diploma of Dementia Care (M1D)

With the rise in prevalence in dementia and the need to provide quality care in the community, health care centres and hospitals, and in residential care, it is becoming essential that health care workers in aged care develop specialised knowledge in this field so that you can make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia.

This course has been developed by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, global leaders in dementia education with a mission to transform the understanding of dementia worldwide.

You will learn from multidisciplinary lecturers who are active in dementia research, drawing on the latest data as part of your studies.

The course is offered fully online with authentic, varied assessments that do not include exams, face to face or workplace assessment components. Learning and assessment are supported with the use of real-life case study examples. This course is designed to be undertaken by the wide range of personal and professional carers and others who work and interact with people living with dementia around the globe.

Dedicated Student Advisers are on-hand throughout the course, providing support and guidance throughout your studies and the Diploma can be studied full-time or part-time.

Study without tuition fees in 2025

For domestic students, the Diploma of Dementia Care is offered with 100% tuition fee scholarship for students commencing in 2025. This means you pay NO tuition fees!

All international students will need to meet the minimum English Language Requirements, University General Entry Requirements and any course specific requirements such as pre-requisite subjects, if applicable.

English Language Requirements

This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.5, with no individual band less than 6.5, or a PTE Academic score of 58, with no score lower than 58 or equivalent.

For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.

General Entry Requirements

This is an open access course.

Course Specific Requirements

Students must have access to a computer, reliable internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone.

• All methods of meeting University of Tasmania English language requirements have a validity period of 2 years unless involving a country specific qualification as listed below.
• Each course offered by the University of Tasmania has a minimum English language requirement for entry as listed below. Applicants must also meet the academic entry requirements for each course.
• Applicants who qualify from a University of Tasmania program, and intend to gain professional registration to become a practitioner in Australia, may need to meet the relevant Professional Accrediting Agency's English language registration standard.
• In exceptional circumstances or cases not covered by the categories outlined below, multiple forms of evidence may be considered on a case by case basis by the Executive Director, Student Operations in consultation with the Director, Academic Quality and Standards.
• The University reserves the right to require that any applicant be required to undergo a test of English language.

Over 400,000 Australians are currently living with dementia; this number increases every year. The impact on communities, families, governments and health professionals will be significant as these numbers increase. Our workforce is currently ill equipped to help care for such large numbers of people living with dementia – by 2050, it is estimated that there will be over 900,000 people in Australia living with dementia.*

Individuals with backgrounds in healthcare, community service, and allied health, may find study in this course advantageous. The Diploma of Dementia Care is particularly relevant to aged care workers and health professionals wishing to develop their knowledge of dementia, to increase their confidence when working with people living with dementia and to enhance their practice. Hear from our current students and graduates.

* Dementia Australia (2023) Dementia Prevalence Data 2024-2054, commissioned research undertaken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.