Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety

Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety

POSTGRADUATE

Make every work day safer for everyone with this introduction to the technical and social aspects of workplace safety.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years
Fees:

AU$16,320 (2024 annual based on part-time load)*

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Fees:

AU$21,120 (2024 total)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

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.

Why study the Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety at RMIT?

Cutting-edge facilities

Practise your craft in a purpose-built OHS laboratory containing the latest measurement equipment.

Work-focused

Use the model of OHS Professional Practice for problem solving, applying relevant concepts in a range of contexts.

Professional membership

Gain eligibility to join the Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS) as a student member.

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

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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

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

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.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

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

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
Program code: GD052
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
City Campus
1 year full-time or 2 years part time
GD052P13
107035M
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 year full-time or 2 years part time
Plan code
GD052P13
CRICOS
107035M
View plan
Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
City Campus
1 year full-time
GD052P13
107035M
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 year full-time
Plan code
GD052P13
CRICOS
107035M
View plan

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

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.
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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.

Admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

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.

*If your qualification was completed more than 10 years ago you will need to provide evidence of ongoing professional work and/or professional development in the same discipline as the program for which you are seeking entry to be granted credit.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

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.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

To have your professional experience considered you must include in your application:

  • a CV
  • a personal statement detailing your experience.

To study this course 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

You can gain entry to this graduate diploma from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.

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.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this program, you can continue your studies in MC282 Master of Occupational Health and Safety, subject to the program's entrance requirements and receive 96 credit points of advanced standing into the master program.

You can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs.

Credit

Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this graduate diploma, you may be eligible for entry into a range of postgraduate programs at RMIT University.

Fees

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2024 indicative fees

  • 2024 full-fee places: AU$16,320* per annum based on a part-time load of 48 credit points.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$326 maximum fee for 2023*. The SSAF fees information for the 2024 intake has been delayed by the Australian government and will be updated when it is available.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum. This program is usually run on a part-time basis. The 2024 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.

Paying your fees and applying for 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.

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 2024 is $351. 

The SSAF fees information for the 2024 intake has been delayed by the Australian government and will be updated when it is available.

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.

FEE-HELP loans

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.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

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.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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The total indicative tuition fee for 2024 commencement is AU$21,120.

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information