The overall aim is to provide a knowledge base for informed decisions about career opportunities for health professionals in
the Australian Defence Force including contracted garrison health support, and to prepare students for subsequent military medicine specialisation content in the MD Program and in subsequent military medicine micro-credential units.

Development of the values, behaviours and qualities for health officer careers in the ADF, civilian health service providers engaged in rural and remote practice and in disaster medicine. Such qualities include decision making, communication skills, initiative and adaptability, team management, ethical behaviour and health delivery in an austere environment.

The micro-credential aims to articulate with other self-contained military medicine relevant units now under development, in order to assemble a postgraduate certificate of military medicine. The micro-credential will appeal to medical students preparing to undertake the Military Medicine Scholarly Activity stream within the UWA Doctor of Medicine program, and qualified medical practitioners considering careers in austere environments, retrieval, prehospital care, humanitarian assistance organisations and the Defence Force.

Upon successful completion, you'll receive:

• Two PD Points - stackable for unspecified academic credit in award courses
• A Certificate of Achievement
• A UWA Plus Professional Development Transcript, listing all successfully completed micro-credentials

Delivery mode

Face to Face

Course dates

07 September 2026- 15  November 2026 [MC-3H]

Registrations will close:

Duration

10 weeks

Effort

50 hours of face to face and self-directed learning. 

Academic lead

 Professor Tim Inglis

Cost

$792 including GST 

Critical information summary:

MMEDM200 Foundations of Military Medicine (PDF, 245KB)

Why study this course?

This micro-credential provides foundational knowledge for informed career decisions in Australian Defence Force health services, contracted health support, and broader careers in disaster, retrieval, prehospital and austere medicine.

Participants will develop skills highly valued across military and civilian healthcare settings, including decision-making, communication, leadership, adaptability, ethical practice and healthcare delivery in resource-limited environments. The program also introduces pathways into advanced military medicine training and future postgraduate qualifications.

Designed for medical students and qualified practitioners alike, it offers practical insight into healthcare delivery in complex, high-pressure and operational environments both within Australia and internationally.

Who should study this course?

This micro-credential is designed for medical students and junior doctors interested in critical care, surgery, disaster medicine, primary care, rural and remote health, or working in challenging environments.

It will appeal to those considering careers in retrieval medicine, prehospital care, humanitarian response, or the Australian Defence Force. Participants will develop practical skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, decision-making, adaptability and healthcare delivery in austere settings. The program also provides valuable insight into military medicine pathways, including the ADF Postgraduate Medicine Sponsorship Scheme, and supports students considering the proposed Military Medicine Scholarly Activity stream within the UWA Doctor of Medicine program.

Recommended prior knowledge:
Undertaking primary medical degree or recently graduated from an Australian primary medical program.

A total of 50 hours of face to face and self-directed learning. 

What's next after this course?

Further units in Military Medicine, additional study in aspects of disaster and pre-hospital medicine, ADF careers.