Postgraduate Diploma in Human Performance Leadership
Advance your capability to lead people and teams in high-performance, high-stakes environments with the AUT Online Postgraduate Diploma in Human Performance Leadership.
This comprehensive qualification develops applied knowledge across performance science, psychology of performance, team culture and innovative leadership. You’ll learn to integrate physiological, psychological, relational and cultural dimensions of performance to lift resilience, wellbeing and results in dynamic environments where cognitive and physical demands intersect.
Through four master’s-level courses, you’ll strengthen your ability to apply systems thinking, use performance technologies and data, and lead in ways that are ethical and culturally responsive. Open to professionals from any academic background, the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Performance Leadership is designed for those working in high-performance domains like sport, defence, emergency services and other applied performance settings – or those aspiring to step into these environments. It equips you with practical tools to lead with confidence and impact.
The programme also provides a direct pathway into the Master of Human Performance Leadership, with all courses fully credited should you choose to continue your studies.
100% online:
Study from anywhere, anytime, with no need to attend campus
Tailored for busy professionals:
Balance work, life and study with a flexible, part-time structure
Your experience counts:
If you have sufficient work experience but no degree, you can still qualify
Personalised support:
Expert guidance and dedicated support seven days a week
Why choose the AUT Online Postgraduate Diploma in Human Performance Leadership
- Applied learning, immediate impact: Strengthen your ability to optimise performance and lead high-performing teams through authentic projects and case-based activities.
- Comprehensive preparation: Cover the four core courses of the master’s degree, equipping you with the practical toolkit to drive change across sport, defence, emergency services and other applied performance domains.
- A direct pathway to the master's degree: All courses in the diploma are credited toward the full Master of Human Performance Leadership, enabling you to continue seamlessly when you’re ready.
This programme is currently only available for domestic students.
If you already have a university degree
- A bachelor’s degree, graduate diploma or professional qualification
If you don’t yet have a university degree
- 5 years of work experience
Your experience counts
At AUT Online, we value your professional expertise. If you have sufficient work experience but no undergraduate degree, you can still take the next step toward achieving your goals with our Postgraduate Diploma in Human Performance Leadership
Not sure if you meet the entry criteria?
Enquire now to discuss your eligibility.
Develop the insight and leadership capability to lift individual and team performance in high-stakes, real-world settings. The AUT Online Postgraduate Diploma in Human Performance Leadership consists of the first four courses of the master’s programme, giving you applied expertise in performance optimisation, psychology of performance and leadership, team culture and dynamics, and innovative leadership in dynamic environments.
The diploma consists of four 30-point courses, taken sequentially over trimesters. This structured approach provides flexibility while ensuring consistent progress toward your qualification.
You’ll learn to:
- Apply performance science to optimise preparation, recovery and sustainable high performance.
- Use performance technologies and analytics to inform timely, evidence-based decisions.
- Build and lead high-performing teams including strengthening culture, connection, trust and psychological safety.
- Coach and influence under pressure with clear communication and ethical, culturally responsive practice.
- Design and evaluate performance plans and interventions that drive measurable improvement.
Courses
- ONSPMG801 Human Performance Optimisation
- ONSPMG802 Psychology of Performance and Leadership
- ONSPMG803 High Performing Teams: Dynamics, Culture, and Connection
- ONSPMG804 Innovative Leadership in Dynamic Environments
Skills you will develop
The outcomes for graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Performance Leadership are outlined in the Graduate Profile below.
The AUT Online Postgraduate Diploma in Human Performance Leadership prepares you to take on leadership, coaching and performance support roles in high-performance, high-stakes environments. You’ll graduate with applied capability to optimise performance, strengthen resilience and wellbeing, and build high-trust, high-performing teams across sport, defence, emergency services and other applied high-performance domains.
Potential career paths include:
- Leadership or coaching roles in applied performance settings
- Performance support advisor or programme lead
- Team culture, wellbeing, and psychological safety lead
- Human performance coordinator in sport, defence or emergency services
The Postgraduate Diploma in Human Performance Leadership also serves as a stepping stone toward the full Master of Human Performance Leadership, with all courses fully credited should you choose to advance your study.
Not sure which qualification suits your goals? AUT Online offers flexible options to fit your needs:
Courses completed in the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Human Performance Leadership can be credited toward the Master of Human Performance Leadership, enabling you to build on your achievements seamlessly and take the next step when you’re ready.
- Full fees: $10,600 (for 120 points)
- Student services levy (additional, for 120 points): $1,221.60
Fees are calculated for the full indicative programme cost (120 points), based on 2026 fees, which are reviewed annually.
Enquire about the AUT Online Postgraduate Diploma in Human Performance Leadership here today.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT programme regulations, please refer to the AUT Calendar.