Master of Occupational Health and Safety
Quick facts
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
AU$31,680 (2022 total)
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
Not applicable
Duration
Full-time 2 yearsLocation
Melbourne CityFees
AU$38,400 (2022 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
Your career in OH&S
As part of your studies you will select from three streams to prepare you to work in a range of industries. You will choose between a focus in occupational hygiene, construction safety, and human factors and ergonomics.
Play an essential role in large and small organisations. In the Master of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), you will explore the application of scientific principles to understand risks to the safety of people in workplaces, and the actions required to control them. It is a multidisciplinary profession with applications in all industries and commerce.
Both community expectation and government legislation demand an increasingly higher level of protection for employees and the community from risks that threaten their safety and health. As such, there is also an increasing demand in society for professionals with experience and qualifications in OHS.
You will also have the opportunity to pursue a research stream, allowing you to deepen your knowledge and distinguish yourself from the competition in the market. It will also support your career progression to senior management or consultancy roles.
Designed around blended delivery, this degree is will push you to develop new skills in a flexible learning environment.
Details
The structure of this degree will provide a common disciplinary subject architecture, whilst also optimising your choice and opportunities for further study specialisation through the provision of three elective streams. These streams are:
- Occupational hygiene
- Construction safety
- Human factors and ergonomics.
RMIT is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice. This degree is supported by industry engagement, which ensures industry links and consistent practices that are relevant to the job market.
Many assignments are designed to put theory into workplace practice providing an education that is directly applicable to your role as an OHS professional.
In addition to mentoring and expert sessions, you will undertake a work health and safety project that involves accessing and resolving issues in an actual workplace. You may also undertake several industry-linked core and elective subjects.
2 years full-time or 4 years part-time
The Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety are available as exit awards of this degree. Any advanced standing you receive for the masters program is not transferrable to an exit award. If you wish to exit early with one of these programs, you must have completed all courses specified in the relevant program structure.
You will benefit from improved flexibility with blended learning delivery. Attendance mode could be full-time face-to-face, full-time or part-time blended, or distance learning.
Generally, each subject runs for one week in face-to-face block mode and is supported by fortnightly real-time virtual tutorials. Face-to-face classes give you the opportunity to develop and apply practical skills.
Students who choose full-time face-to-face study mode will have 100% face-to-face contact with their research team.
Occupational hygiene students will undertake compulsory practical workshops for core courses with in-person attendance at RMIT City campus in Melbourne or at overseas centres supervised by a IOHA qualified hygienist as arranged by students.
Domestic students can complete the program through face-to-face classes on campus or through blended delivery.
You will benefit from improved flexibility with blended learning delivery. Attendance mode could be full-time face-to-face, full-time or part-time blended, or distance learning.
Generally, each subject runs for one week in face-to-face block mode and is supported by fortnightly real-time virtual tutorials. Face-to-face classes give you the opportunity to develop and apply practical skills.
Students who choose full-time face-to-face study mode will have 100% face-to-face contact with their research team.
Occupational hygiene students will undertake compulsory practical workshops for core courses with in-person attendance at RMIT City campus in Melbourne or at overseas centres supervised by a IOHA qualified hygienist as arranged by students.
International students studying on a student visa must complete the program through face-to-face classes on campus.
International students (non-student visa holders) can complete the program online and complete the practical sessions through international hubs.
As part of your studies, you have the option to specialise in three different streams, or specialisations: occupational hygiene, construction safety, or human factors and ergnomics.
Occupation hygiene specialisation
This stream will develop your skills relevant to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of occupational hazards with potentials to inflict harm on workers health.
Construction safety specialisation
This stream is designed to develop your advanced skills and prepare you for an international career in managing workplace safety risks associated with the wide domains in the construction industry.
Human factors and ergnomics specialisation
This stream will equip you with the knowledge and skills vital to the assessment and design of jobs, work environment, tasks, products and modern workplace solutions compatible with human characteristics. In addition to other benefits,it will afford you robust knowledge in physical and cognitive ergonomics, macroergonomics and human centered design.
In all streams, you will be trained in modern aspects and industry applications required for a successful career and professional memberships globally.
Choose a program structure
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC282
Career
Job titles for OHS graduates are diverse depending on the area of specialisation, for example:
Ergonomics
- Safety Assurance Advisor
- Ergonomics Specialist
- Human Factors Consultant, Engineer or Researcher
- Human Centred Design Specialist
- Usability Specialist
- Data Scientist
Construction Safety
- Safety Manager
- Construction Manager
- Site or Environmental Health and Safety Officer
- Safety and Compliance Manager
General/Occupational Hygiene
- Occupational Hygienist
- OHS Manager or Advisor
- Health and Safety Manager or Coordinator
- Safety Systems Advisor
- Exposure Scientist
- Academic
- Work Health and Safety (WHS) Consultant
All graduates of MC282 will be eligible to pursue membership of either the Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS) or the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygiene (AIOH) depending on their chosen stream of study.
While the AIHS is the body representing occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals and practitioners in Australia, the AIOH represents the Occupational Hygiene professionals and practitioners in Australia.
Graduates are able to become an AIHS Graduate Member and with three years of industry experience can become certified professional members.
See details regarding AIHS membership.
Graduates of the Occupational Hygiene stream are able to become an AIOH Full Member and eligible to undertake a certifying exam to become a Certified Occupational Hygienist (COH).
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.
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
Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety guarantees entry into this master program with 48 credit points of advanced standing (equivalent to 0.5 year full-time study).
Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety guarantees entry into this master program with 96 credit points of advanced standing (equivalent to 1 year full-time study).
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
The annual tuition fee for 2022 is AU$38,400.
2022 indicative fees
Full-fee places: AU$31,680.
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
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
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.
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.
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.
Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.
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.