- Duration 24 months
- Subjects 12 subjects
(12.5 credit points) - Fees $4,748 per 12.5
credit point subject* - Intakes August, October, January, March, May, July
Why study the Master of Human Resource Management online with the University of Melbourne?
Become a strategic HR expert
Turn complex HR challenges into practical solutions. In this course, you’ll dive into real-world HR challenges and learn how to craft strategic, ethical and innovative HR solutions. Gain the confidence and know-how to make decisions that drive long-term success in your career and workplace.
AHRI accredited degree from Australia's #1 university 1
Stand out as a trusted HR leader. By combining industry insights and academic expertise, each subject equips you with actionable skills you can use immediately. So, you’ll graduate ready to meet the evolving demands of today’s workforce.
1QS World University Rankings 2026
You’re in control of your learning
Wherever you are, you can take charge of your learning experience. Whether this means engaging live or when it suits you; taking breaks or accelerating; connecting with others or running your own race. You're in control – of your work, study and life.
Course highlights
- Bridge the gap between compliance and culture, gaining law expertise from Australia’s #1 law school (QS World Rankings by Subject, 2025)
- Develop a practical and evidence-based toolkit to effectively navigate the complex world of HR
- Become equipped with digital tools and frameworks to make data-driven decisions that deliver real organisational value
- Gain advanced leadership and strategic expertise to transform business potential and staff performance
- Graduate with a globally recognised degree, taught by the AACSB and EQUIS-accredited Faculty of Business and Economics
- Engage with industry and real-world case studies to prepare you to become a confident, capable and high-impact HR leader.
Learn from world-leading academics and clinical experts
Benefit from expert-led contemporary learning as you prepare for the next phase of your career. Engage with our world-leading academics whose opinions are sought after by government, shaping strategy and influencing policy.
Download your course guide to meet the team responsible for the Master of Human Resource Management course at Australia’s #1 university (QS World University Rankings 2026).
Career outcomes
Stand out in a growing field that is rewriting the rules of work. Each year, more than 2,900 new HR roles are created in Australia2 as organisations increasingly rely on HR professionals to drive business growth and strategy.
Seize the opportunity to lead conversations that matter and shape organisations from the inside out. All made possible with your ambition and the online Master of Human Resource Management.
This transformative qualification will prepare you for a variety of roles, such as:
- Director of Human Resources
- Director of People and Culture
- Employee Experience Consultant
- Human Resource Adviser
- Human Resource Analyst
- Human Resource Manager
- Leadership and Engagement Manager
- Workplace Relations Manager.
Pathways
Choose to explore human resource management through coursework or immerse yourself in a research project.
Empower your organisation by designing and implementing strategies that foster high-performance workplace cultures. This pathway blends cutting-edge research with actionable frameworks to help you navigate complex people challenges, technological shifts and evolving societal expectations. From day one, you’ll start building the skills and expertise needed to lead confidently as a future-focused HR professional.
Subjects
Compulsory:
- HRM Fundamentals
- Strategic Skills for HR Decision-Making
- People and Capability
- Performance, Reward and Recognition
- HR Data and Analytics
- Employee Health and Wellbeing
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Change and Transformation
- Law and HRM
- Strategic HRM.
Plus:
- HRM Industry Project.
arrow_right_alt Download your course guide for more information
This direction serves as a viable pathway towards a PhD in human resource management. Learn from world-leading academics who are actively researching human resource management to conduct a thorough investigation of a significant human resource management challenge of your choice.
Subjects
Compulsory:
- HRM Fundamentals
- Strategic Skills for HR Decision-Making
- People and Capability
- Performance, Reward and Recognition
- HR Data and Analytics
- Employee Health and Wellbeing
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Change and Transformation
- Law and HRM
- Strategic HRM.
Plus:
- HRM Research Project.
arrow_right_alt Download your course guide for more information
Subjects of study
Take your HR expertise further with the online Master of Human Resource Management from the University of Melbourne. From day one, you’ll build strategic knowledge and practical skills to play a pivotal role in creating high-performing organisations.
As a student, you will study 12 core subjects to give you a holistic understanding of the factors influencing and shaping the industry.
arrow_right_altDownload your course guide for more information
This subject focuses on evaluating HR strategies from multiple stakeholder perspectives and applying psychological principles to managerial challenges and developing strategic, ethical, and culturally aware HR leaders.
In this subject you will critically examine business issues and make evidence-based HR recommendations that support organisational sustainability.
This subject lays the foundation for strategic HR leadership, focusing on staffing practices and their impact on competitive advantage and leveraging workforce capabilities to meet operational requirements and strategic objectives.
Identify the tools and techniques used by organisations to motivate and evaluate employee performance. Then investigate how these performance assessments are used to allocate employee rewards and recognition.
Through practical learning experiences in data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting, you will develop actionable and strategic data-driven recommendations that align HR metrics with broader business objectives.
You will leverage real-world tools to design adaptable talent management strategies and lead organisational change initiatives that balance human and business perspectives.
In this subject, you will be introduced to frameworks that can be used to analyse, plan and evaluate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies and interventions and apply these to real-world organisational examples.
This subject examines key drivers of change, the roles of internal and external change agents, tools for managing change successfully, and the implementation and outcomes of specific change initiatives. Additionally, the subject introduces the use of Generative AI to identify change issues and leverage its capabilities to effectively engage stakeholders.
By combining theory with practical strategies, this subject equips students with the knowledge and tools needed to manage and lead change initiatives in dynamic workplaces.
In this subject, you will focus on key legislation such as the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and other regulations that shape HR practice. Drawing on expertise from Australia’s #1 law school, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to make informed, compliant and ethical choices as a forward-thinking HR professional.
In this subject, you will critically assess business issues and create HR recommendations and design proactive HR strategies that enhance workforce capability.
This subject provides you with a comprehensive opportunity to apply your accumulated knowledge and skills to a substantial HRM project.
Drawing on the theories, knowledge, and skills gained throughout the course, you will design and complete a project addressing real-world HRM challenges.
You’re in control of your learning experience
- Find freedom with the choice of how and where you study
- Have more control over your learning with the ability to take breaks from study when needed
- Receive ongoing one-on-one support from application through to graduation
- Access resources and support systems designed to help you succeed
- Experience personalised interactions from expert educators who value your development
- Gain a competitive edge with a recognised qualification from Australia’s top university (QS, 2026).
Find out more about the online experience at the University of Melbourne.
Entry requirements
In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed either:
- A bachelors degree or equivalent in human resource management or
- A bachelors honours degree or equivalent in any discipline area or
- A three-year undergraduate qualification and at least 50 credit points or equivalent of graduate study in any discipline area or
- A three-year undergraduate qualification in any discipline area and at least two years of relevant full-time work experience (or equivalent) or
- A minimum of six years relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent).
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- Prior academic performance; and, if relevant
- Professional experience.
The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
Applicants are required to satisfy the university's English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.
arrow_right_alt Download your course guide for more information
Already relevant study behind you? Fast-track your masters via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Recognition of Prior Learning
Successful applicants with an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in human resource management or a related discipline, may receive 50 points (total) of advanced standing with evidence of:
- A minimum of 50 credit points (or equivalent) of graduate study in human resources, business, management, organisational studies or equivalent.
Meeting the requirements above does not guarantee the awarding of advanced standing.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Cost per 12.5 credit point subject: $4,748*^
Total cost: $59,824*^
FEE-HELP is a loan that can cover all or part of tuition fees for eligible students. The Australian Government pays the amount of the loan direct to the University. It enables you to borrow the amount of your tuition fees and then pay that loan back once you are in the workforce and earning at a specified level or you can make voluntary repayments to the ATO at any time.
For more information, including eligibility for FEE-HELP, download your Human Resource Management course guide.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the university, with any new rates effective from the beginning of each calendar year.
^ Fees apply to domestic and international students. This course is not available to international students who require a student visa (subclass 500) to study in Australia.
Designed for impact
“Through this cutting-edge course, you’ll learn more than just hiring and managing staff. You’ll discover how to gain a sustainable competitive edge by embracing emerging HR trends and sustainable workforce practices. This Master of HRM is more than just a qualification; it's a launchpad for a successful career in human resource management.”
Dr Aman Ullah
Director, online Master of Human Resource Management
Enquire and receive your course guide
Discover more information on our courses, including:
- Entry requirements
- Career outcomes
- Subject descriptions
- Fees and FEE-HELP.
Frequently asked questions
The online Master of Human Resource Management combines cutting-edge research and practical application to provide you with strategic, legal, digital and future-proof expertise to thrive in high-impact HR roles.
Additionally, unlike other online HRM courses, this online Master of Human Resource Management has a legal subject designed by a law school rather than a business school. Through this subject, you’ll gain a deep understanding of workplace law, legal risks and regulatory bodies influencing HRM, making you highly valued by employers.
The University of Melbourne offers the Master of Human Resource Management 100% online, giving you the flexibility to fit your study around your life. You will have the opportunity to join sessions live or play them back in your own time, take breaks when needed, and build a community of other health professionals who are studying alongside you. The quality of your learning and qualification is uncompromised – you will be studying under world-leading academics at Australia’s #1 University.
Yes, demand for human resource professionals is growing, with Jobs and Skills Australia estimating 2,900 new HR roles being created each year. Studying the online Master of Human Resource Management allows you to become a strategic HR leader, with expertise in HR law, diversity equity and inclusion (DEI), change and transformation and digital technologies. All of which are skills employers are looking for.
Studying the online Master of Human Resource Management can open doors to many senior and high-impact roles within a growing profession. You will gain the knowledge and competencies to pursue roles such as:
- Chief of People Officer
- Director of Human Resources
- Director or People and Culture
- Employee Experience Consultant
- Executive Director of HR
- Human Resource Adviser
- Human Resource Administrator
- Human Resource Analyst
- Human Resource Manager
- Leadership and Engagement Manager
- Organisational Development Coordinator
- Senior Human Resource Manager
- Senior Training Officer
- Workplace Relations Manager.
Yes, all classes are offered 100% online. Choose to tune in to lessons in real time or at a time that suits you, whether that is during your morning commute, on your lunch break, at your child’s weekly sports game or while meal prepping. We’ve made progressing in your career without having to hit pause on life more achievable and flexible.
We recommend a minimum of 15-20 hours of study per week.
If you ever feel overwhelmed or need advice on how to balance study with your other commitments, our team of dedicated Student Success Advisers are here to help.
Yes, we do. You can study this course from anywhere in the world. However, this course is not available to international students who require a student visa (subclass 500) to study in Australia.