Globally, more than 15 per cent of land and 10 per cent of aquatic and marine areas are protected in conservation reserve systems, and in Australia almost a fifth of our landmass and a third of our oceans have some level of protection under the National Reserve System.

If you’re working to manage one of the world’s many terrestrial or marine protected areas for biodiversity and other values, or are looking to move into this field, this course is designed to provide up-to-date skills and knowledge applicable to both Australian and international protected area administration and management.

Learn how best to manage the human resources and complex organisational structures that are often associated with protected area management. You’ll build your expertise in monitoring, strategic assessment and system planning relevant to both public and private organisations.

4 reasons to study a Graduate Certificate in Protected Area Administration at Murdoch

• Graduate with a qualification that meets the key competency requirements for protected area managers identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).
• Add value to your undergraduate qualifications in conservation biology, environmental or marine science, and learn about financial and human resource management relevant to managing marine and terrestrial parks and reserves.
• Increase your networking opportunities through Murdoch’s industry and research connections.
• Looking to complete a Master? On completion of this course, you could be eligible for entry into our one-year Master of Environmental Science.

Develop your skills

Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Topics you’ll cover include:

• environmental monitoring including use of Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing for designing, implementing and managing large monitoring programs
• how to optimize the administrative management of human and other resources to achieve effective, efficient protected area management
• state-of-the art knowledge in decision-making and public engagement techniques for natural resource management
• how to optimize the performance of park organisations and engage partners in times of change
• design research, including monitoring programs, and competently interpret efforts by others.

Employment opportunities exist in government park management agencies (e.g. Commonwealth Department of the Environment, WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Parks Victoria), environmental non-government organisations (e.g. Pew Charitable Trusts, WWF, IUCN) and private reserve managers (e.g. Bush Heritage Australia).

Careers could include:

• National park manager
• Marine park manager
• Bushland Management Officer
• Conservation Community Liaison Officer
• Natural Resource Management (NRM) Officer
• Environmental Project Coordinator.

Professional recognition

Depending on your specialisation, you will be eligible to join the following professional bodies:

• Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand
• Parks and Leisure Australia
• Ecological Society of Australia
• Australian Marine Sciences Association
• Soil Science Australia
• Australian Society for Freshwater Science
• Australian Society of Plant Scientists
• Environmental Consultants Association.