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Graduate Certificate in Community Energy and Micro-Grid

Progress your career in the energy sector, learning from leaders in energy research, who share your desire for a more sustainable and clean energy future.

Course essentials

Entry requirements

Credit

60 credit points = 0.5 EFTSL

Duration

0.5 Year full-time or part-time equivalent

Course overview

This course is designed to address complex problems across community energy and microgrid disciplines and equip you with the knowledge and skills to progress your career in the energy sector.

Learn from leading academics and researchers as well as national and international practitioners about the complex nature of renewable energy sources, energy storage, community microgrids, emerging technologies, and energy project management.

Our online delivery mode offers flexibility to suit your lifestyle, allowing you to get ahead in your professional and personal life.

Upon completion you may be eligible for entry to the Master of Engineering Technology (Renewable Energy and Electrical Power Systems).

IT requirements

To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.

Got questions?

Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.

Student support

The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.

The fine print

The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.

Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.

Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.

School department

Engineering

Course co-ordinator

MD Shah

I selected Federation University because of the amazing facilities. I enjoy studying on a campus surrounded by nature and find the environment inspiring."
— Aiswarya Sindhu, Master of Engineering Project Management

Career paths

Clean Energy Policy Officer
Energy Analyst
Energy Project Manager
Energy and Sustainability Professional
Independent Power and Energy System Consultant
Power and Energy System Engineer
Renewable System Design Engineer
Sustainability Engagement Officer
Sustainability officer
Sustainable Energy Engineer

Fees and scholarships

Tuition fee information

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
2026 indicative full-time fee: $4,769

Commonwealth Supported Places are subsidised by the Australian Government. The tuition fee is called the student contribution amount. The indicative fee above is based on a typical first-year enrolment for this course and should be used as a guide only. For 0.5 EFTSL (60 credit point) courses the certificate fee is displayed. Your fee will depend on the units you chose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved credit you receive. 

How it's calculated

The government sets the fee each year. The amount depends on the discipline area and band of each unit. 2026 annual student contribution amounts for 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) range from $4,738 (Band 1) to $17,399 (Band 4).  The sample course structure below link to the EFTSL, Band and fee for each unit or you can use our unit search to find these details.

Other fees

You will also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Fee assistance

If you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan,  you can defer the payment of all or part of your student contribution fee. If you’re also eligible for a SA-HELP loan, you can defer your SSAF payment too. You won’t have to start paying either loan back until your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold.

Scholarships

There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.

Course details

Contact hours

You’d be looking at about 25-30 hours per week (if you’re full time), but this includes on-campus classes and self-directed study (i.e. homework).

Sample course structure

Here’s what the course structure could look like. It’s just an example (so don’t use it for enrolment). Interested in the details? You can find current course structure or select a single unit name below to find out what it’s about and how much it costs.

Semester 1
Semester 2

Entry requirements

Entry requirements (non year 12)

Recognised three year degree in science, engineering or equivalent in a relevant specialisation with credit average, awarded by an Australian university, or a
Recognised overseas equivalent; and/or
Recognised diploma in science, engineering or equivalent in a relevant specialisation with credit average, awarded by an Australian Registered Training Organisation; or a
Recognised overseas equivalent, with at least 1 year full-time relevant industry experience (energy and electrical engineering).

English language requirements

Academic IELTS of 6.0 overall with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent

If you’re only applying for this course, do it via direct application.

Ready to fill out your application?

You'll need this code: 

Direct application 

Federation University code 

Direct application
Yes
Federation University code
CM4

Hear from our staff

Dr Gopi Chattopadhyay talks about the Master of Maintenance and Reliability Engineering and what you can expect from studying engineering at Federation.

Hi, I'm Dr Gopi Chattopadhyay, Postgraduate Program Coordinator for Maintenance and Reliability Engineering Program. My favourite part of this program is that students can focus on specific areas of maintenance and reliability engineering and asset management. That includes condition monitoring, risk engineering and maintenance optimisation. Our students get hands-on experience, true projects, case studies and real-world problem solving. They explore cutting edge technologies, methodologies and tools. Those are shaping the future of this field and making a difference to their industries. It is a multi-disciplined program where students are coming from engineering. applied data analytics, the IT and management background and more. We improve productivity and focus on life-cycle analysis, risk assessment, cost modelling, risk informed decision making. Those are applicable to maintenance, reliability engineering and asset management. The course is designed, developed and delivered in collaboration with industry experts, ensuring it aligns with current industrial demands and practices, and applicable to the future problems. I encourage you to study the Maintenance and Reliability Engineering program for exciting career. You can have career advancements. The program is online so it's suitable for busy professionals. Those who are working, fly in, fly out, or remote places. We make it work. Actually being this qualification have a positive impact on your organisation, bottom line and sustainability. There are lots of funds. I achieved some of the acknowledgements. I enjoy delivering keynote address at international conferences to inspire colleagues, professionals and wider audience for the best practise in this field. I also write short poems on human values. Join this program. 

Credit for previous study

Your previous studies might count towards this course (which means you could finish it sooner). Check your eligibility to find out if that’s the case.