2027 Course information is now available. View 2027 course information
Overview (2025)
Key Information
Duration
Minimum 1 Year, up to a maximum of 3 years.
Location
CRICOS: 044257M
Duration
Minimum 1 year, up to a maximum of 3 years.
Location
In the Graduate Diploma of Environmental Planning, you'll gain knowledge and skills in maintaining and building sustainable places.
Your learning experience is grounded in Tasmania’s rich heritage of environmental and social issues. This includes the promotion of meaningful participation in decision-making and the equitable distribution of environmental benefits and risks. We focus on planning for the diverse communities and future generations to flourish. This one-year course is the foundation of planning theory and statutory planning with an environment and justice emphasis.
Tasmania provides a special learning environment for planners. Urban areas, agricultural landscapes, extensive tracts of natural lands, and internationally significant cultural heritage provide rich case studies. Low student-to-teacher ratios maximise opportunities for academic interaction and support, and staff have close ties with the planning profession.
If you already have a Bachelor's degree and want to expand your skill set, the Graduate Diploma delivers foundational knowledge and skills that apply across various sectors. Professionals such as engineers, nurses, teachers, and ICT experts have successfully transitioned into different planning roles by enhancing their expertise with this course.
The Graduate Diploma can be extended into a Master of Planning. The two-year Master’s course includes a professional placement unit and offers opportunities for more specialised learning, focusing on issues such as climate change and urban greening. Units from the Graduate Diploma are credited towards the Master’s, allowing the Master of Planning to be completed in one year (full-time).
Planning at the University of Tasmania focuses on contemporary issues and real-world professional development. We advocate for equitable urban and regional planning while making the most of the wonderful field experiences available in Tasmania. The City of Hobart boasts a diverse urban landscape, rich cultural heritage, natural reserves, and unique ecosystems that are easily accessible. We take advantage of this diversity by offering electives in environmental planning, protected area planning, sustainability, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Ready to explore your study options?
Start by watching our video on what units you will study to gain an overview of the course structure.
Then, book an online one-on-one appointment with our course coordinator to explore your study options further and discuss how the Graduate Diploma of Environmental Planning aligns with your career goals.
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- 1 Evaluate complex bodies of knowledge to support sustainable environmental planning decision-making.
- 2 Analyse environmental planning problems to create evidence-based solutions and strategies.
- 3 Apply communicative, procedural and technical skills to undertake the practice of environmental planning.
Classroom work frequently involves collaboration with professional planning partners, including local government and the University’s operations side. This not only broadens your professional network but also exposes you to the complexities and multidisciplinary nature of real-world challenges.
“The social interaction for this course is fantastic. There is plenty of time for one-on-one with students and lecturers.”
Rick Perrin - Master of Planning graduate
Whether you're proposing updates to an urban area or advising on regional plans to tackle the housing crisis, you'll develop practical skills under the guidance of industry experts.
The Graduate Diploma of Environmental Planning is not accredited, but is nested with the accredited Master of Planning (accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia).
Career outcomes
After completing the Graduate Diploma of Environmental Planning, you could work in areas such as:
- Statutory planning – assess and submit planning applications to guide land use and development
- Strategic planning – help shape future policies, legislation, and community visions
- Social planning – identify community needs, assess social impacts, and design strategies to support wellbeing
- Specialist areas – explore roles in transport, environmental, or infrastructure planning
- Broader opportunities – contribute to how communities live, grow, and adapt
Course structure
The Graduate Diploma of Environmental Planning consists of 75 credit points of core units and 25 credit points of elective units.
This unit provides a theoretical and conceptual foundation for advanced studies in urban and environmental planning. The unit covers the diverse functions and purposes of planning. You will have the opportunity to think critically about the philosophical and historical underpinnings…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 |  |  |  | |
| Online | Semester 1 |  | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for KGA511 Critical Planning: Theory, Processes and Applications
This unit will give you an insight into the legal basis of planning in Tasmania. We cater to people wanting to practice as planners and also those wishing to become more informed citizens by better understanding the key legal principles…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
The principles and practices of urban planning and design shape the physical spaces and social lives of our towns and cities. In this unit, you will learn about the historic and theoretical context of urban design and planning, including Aboriginal…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | | | | |
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit provides students with a practical understanding of key systems for protected area planning and management. Terrestrial, freshwater and marine protected areas are considered. The global context of protected areas is analysed, including issues of definition, scope and governance.…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | | | | |
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for KGA517 Protected Area Planning and Management Systems
In this unit you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to undertake planning for protected area systems. We will explore the frameworks, processes and methods used to identify areas for inclusion in national reserve systems. Students will have the…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Winter school | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit introduces legal, administrative, scientific, and social aspects of environmental impact assessment (EIA) using case studies. The unit emphasises the practical aspects of environmental impact assessment in Tasmanian contexts, but environmental impact assessment processes and legislation are similar in…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | | | | |
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
This unit is designed to provide students studying at the graduate level with a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of spatial information. This unit will introduce students to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and landscape metrics analysis, with a focus on…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | | | | |
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for KGG539 Fundamentals of Spatial Information
Entry requirements
A Bachelor degree in any discipline or equivalent.
Admission to most postgraduate coursework courses at the University of Tasmania require qualifications equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree. Applicants must achieve the required grade in their qualifying studies, meet any prerequisite subjects, and meet English language requirements to be eligible for an offer.
English Language Requirements
For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, 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.
English Language Requirements are: IELTS (Academic) 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0)
Course Specific Requirements
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma of Environmental Planning shall be qualified for entry if they have qualified for admission to a bachelor degree in any discipline at the University of Tasmania or holds a degree or other tertiary qualifications deemed by the College to be equivalent for this purpose.
The maximum credit granted will be in accordance with the limits set down in the Student Participation and Attainment Ordinance.
Articulation to: Master of Planning (K7P)
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available for this course. For eligible domestic students, this means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
Commonwealth Supported Place indicative annual fee: $8,948
How is this calculated?
This is an estimate. The calculation is based on the average full-time enrolment for this course in 2024. All figures are indicative only for 2025. Actual tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.
These figures do not include other costs such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). For further information, please visit Scholarships, fees and costs.
HECS-HELP loans
You may be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information on student loans and a CSP eligibility checker can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.
International students
2025 annual international student tuition fee: $39,450 AUD
The standard year of study for this course is 100 credit points.
Indicative total tuition fee for international students: $ 39,450 AUD.
This total tuition fee is indicative only. Please visit fees and costs for further information on how this is calculated.
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Domestic scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
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