Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
Quick facts
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 1 year, Part-time 2 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
AU$15,840 (2022 annual)
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
Not applicable
Duration
Full-time 1 yearLocation
Melbourne CityFees
AU$38,400 (2022 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) refers to the application of scientific principles to understand the risks to the safety and health of people in workplaces and to take action to control these.
Occupational health and safety is a multidisciplinary profession examining the technical and social aspects of work with applications in most industries and commerce.
The course focuses on the science and technology of risk management through assessment and evaluation of hazards and development of specific control mechanisms.
Learn how to apply a risk management model to hazards in the workplace, allowing you to recognise the context, evaluate the risk, and generate control solutions. You will use the model of OHS Professional Practice for problem solving which involves gathering information about the issue, diagnosing the issue, developing and implementing appropriate interventions, and evaluating their effectiveness, all the while communicating with relevant stakeholders.
You will develop advanced knowledge in:
- the global concepts of health, safety and work, and the implications that these have in organisations
- the socio-political and organisational context in which work occurs and how this impacts work design and its effects on the workers
- the physical, ergonomic and psychosocial causes of fatalities, injuries and ill health arising from work
- recognition of hazards, assessment and evaluation of their risk, and development of suitable controls
You will learn to apply these concepts in a range of contexts, allowing you to develop confidence and proficiency in your professional OHS and occupational hygiene practice. Many of your assessments will incorporate Work Integrated Learning (WIL) by focusing on OHS issues in your work situation.
Details
Courses are taught in block mode for one week before the start of each semester requiring in-person attendance at the RMIT City campus, with weekly tutorials, consultation, and support provided online. All lecture materials are provided online.
In some courses there may be need for practical demonstration and use of instruments to measure workplace hazards, as incorporated into the teaching week. RMIT has a purpose-built OHS laboratory containing the latest measurement equipment.
Most of the assignments are workplace scenarios designed to apply health and safety theories
RMIT is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
Many assignments are designed to put theory into workplace practice providing an education that is directly applicable to your role as an OHS professional.
Courses are delivered in intensive mode (full days) at the beginning of each semester to accommodate students working full-time.
This course may be taken either part-time or full-time.
The Graduate Diploma in OHS consists of 96 credit points.
The course content is based on the core body of knowledge of OHS professionals with additional material included. You’ll learn to apply this in workplaces.
There is a common first year covering critical thinking, risk management, ergonomics and OHS law.
In second year, you cover psychosocial hazards, chemical and physical hazards and the role of OHS in organisations, with heavy emphasis on influencing organisational practice. In addition, you will also complete a workplace OHS intervention project.
The Graduate Diploma prepares you for a Masters year which allows you to incorporate further coursework in occupational hygiene, or business management, or to pursue a large work-oriented research project.
Year 1
Complete the following core courses:
- Principles and Practice of Work Health and Safety
- Work Health and Safety Science
- Human Factors in Occupational Ergonomics
- Work Health and Safety Legal Systems
Year 2
Complete the following core courses:
- Occupational Hazards and Control 1
- The Psychosocial Work Environment
- Organisational Safety
- Work Health and Safety Intervention Project
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety | City Campus |
1 year full-time or 2 years part time
|
1 year full-time
|
GD052P13 | 107035M |
Choose a program structure
Program code: GD052
Career
Graduates find work within industry, government, service organisations, consulting or in workers' compensation insurance companies in roles that include:
- health and safety executives (HSE)
- OHS managers
- risk managers
- OHS coordinators
- safety officers
- safety, health and environment (EHS or SHE) managers or coordinators.
All graduates of GD052 will be eligible to pursue membership with the Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS). The AIHS is the body representing occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals and practitioners in Australia.
Students can apply to become student members. Graduates can apply to become an AIHS Graduate Member and with three years of industry experience can become certified professional members.
See details regarding AIHS membership.
Admissions
You must have:
- successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) or
- a minimum of 8 years professional work experience in a related industry. Applicants with professional experience at a senior level that is less than 8 years may also be considered.
To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification).
You may also be considered if you have 8 years professional work experience in a related industry. Applicants with professional experience at a senior level that is less than 8 years may also be considered.
Entry requirements
To have your professional experience considered you must include in your application:
- a CV
- a personal statement detailing your experience.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Credit and recognition of prior learning
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience. Find out if you might be eligible.
Fees
2022 indicative fees
- Full-fee places: AU$15,840.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$315 maximum fee for 2022.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
This program is usually run on a part-time basis. The 2022 tuition fee quoted is based on a total annual load of 48 credit points.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for postgraduate study.
Payments and refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2022 is $315.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2022 is AU$38,400.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Applying for refunds
For information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student, please see Refunds.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.