Send me a PDF copyHighlights
- Gain expert knowledge in principle occupational health and safety areas
- Complete in 2 semesters full time, or 6 semesters part time
- Flexible study options - on campus, hybrid or online
- QUT offers Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) to all domestic students enrolled in this course, which means a reduction in the fees you pay
- Opportunity to progress into the Master of Health, Safety and Environment.
Highlights
- Gain expert knowledge in risk assessment, risk management, ergonomics, occupational health, law, and safety technology.
- The course is accredited by the Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board.
- Opportunity to progress into the Master of Health, Safety and Environment
Why choose this course?
Join a growing workforce and prepare to step into advisory, management or leadership roles equipped with advanced knowledge of occupational health and safety (OHS) practices. Whether you are transitioning your career to a new field or are already working as a mid-career OHS professional, this course is designed to enhance your knowledge and skills and further develop your OHS leadership and management qualities.
Employment opportunities are varied and our graduates are sought after to work in a range of industries across Australia and overseas. QUT graduates are prepared to lead and facilitate organisations to achieve safe working conditions and comply with health and safety laws.
There will be an opportunity for students already working in an Occupational Health and Safety role to apply knowledge through work-based activities in some assessments. You may also complete this and gain practical experience by finding a placement at a host organisation or workplace.
Learn from the best
You’ll learn from leading industry professionals who contribute to the development and currency of our programs. They provide insights into emerging trends and are regular guest lecturers and presenters in several of the OHS units.
Explore this course
The Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety is multidisciplinary and includes the key OHS disciplines. Students are introduced to occupational health, human factors, occupational hygiene, risk assessment and management, OHS management, OHS law and policy and safety leadership and management.
Our team of academic experts use a suite of media (e.g., lectures, tutorials, readings, videos, interactive online activities) to deliver content that caters to all student learning styles and prepares you for the real-world. Also, QUT's career mentoring program can connect you with industry professionals who can help you with career advice and coaching.
Graduates of this program can pursue OHS management positions in a variety of industries locally and overseas. Our course is designed to produce competent and confident leaders in OHS who are multi-skilled, flexible and can innovate to address local and global challenges.
Flexible delivery
The course is offered both online and on campus, with all study material and lecture/tutorial recordings accessible to all students. Some units hold on-campus workshops for all students. Although attendance at these workshops is not mandatory, students are encouraged to participate. Students, especially online students, will need a reliable internet connection and up-to-date hardware (including a multimedia headset with microphone) and up-to-date software. Some units include online discussion forums and other interactive and asynchronous activities.
Careers and outcomes
Occupational health and safety (OHS) graduates lead and facilitate organisations to achieve safe working conditions and comply with health and safety laws.
OHS graduates find employment throughout the industry, with the majority of OHS positions concentrated in construction, mining, manufacturing, transport, and human services. OHS professionals work in corporations, government and consulting firms. Entry-level professionals will spend considerable amounts of time at workplaces and interact with workers and frontline management.
Our professionally accredited course develops advanced skills and knowledge in OHS at a postgraduate level and provides a pathway towards higher mid to senior-level employment in diverse organisational contexts.
Professional recognition
Successfully finishing this course will give you the opportunity to become a full member of the Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS) and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia (HFESA). While studying, you might qualify for a free or discounted membership fee in these professional bodies.
The Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board has accredited this course so that graduates will meet the educational qualification required for professional certification by the Australian Institute of Health & Safety.
Course articulation
The Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety articulates into the Master of Health, Safety and Environment.
Possible careers
- Occupational health and safety advisor
- Occupational health and safety coordinator
- Occupational health and safety manager
- Senior advisor (health and safety)
- Work health and safety advisor
- Work health and safety coordinator
- Work health and safety manager
- Work health and safety officer
Students complete seven core units and one elective unit. The course is available full-time and part-time. Internal and online modes are available. During your studies, you will examine all principal areas of the OHS profession and practice. You will also develop the skills to assess information from relevant literature, industry reports, standards and legislation so that you can base your advice and decisions on sound evidence.
As a student, you will:
- Focus on various OHS management approaches, the role and requirements of relevant standards and legislation, and major OHS management areas including risk management, safe design and OHS performance, emergency preparedness, investigations, auditing and culture.
- Gain skills on the identification, prevention and management of risks to health in the workplace, the disease process, occupational rehabilitation and health & wellbeing surveillance, psychosocial health, and management in the workplace.
- Develop strategies to identify occupational hygiene hazards, evaluate the risk they pose to persons and recommend measures to control the risks involved.
- Explore a range of risk assessment methods available for the assessment of occupational safety, occupational health, environmental management and environmental health risks.
- Contribute to the design and evaluation of tasks, safe work systems, product/service systems and environments.
- Address both strategic analysis of policy and law, as well as their application in response to incidents or breaches and in developing effective OHS management systems.
- Acquire management, leadership and communication tools and strategies that can be applied in a range of contexts
Students complete seven core units and one elective unit. The course is available full-time. During your studies, you will examine all principal areas of the OHS profession and practice. You will also develop the skills to assess information from relevant literature, industry reports, standards and legislation so that you can base your advice and decisions on sound evidence.
As a student, you will:
- Focus on various OHS management approaches, the role and requirements of relevant standards and legislation, and major OHS management areas including risk management, safe design and OHS performance, emergency preparedness, investigations, auditing and culture.
- Gain skills on the identification, prevention and management of risks to health in the workplace, the disease process, occupational rehabilitation and health & wellbeing surveillance, psychosocial health, and management in the workplace.
- Develop strategies to identify occupational hygiene hazards, evaluate the risk they pose to persons and recommend measures to control the risks involved.
- Explore a range of risk assessment methods available for the assessment of occupational safety, occupational health, environmental management and environmental health risks.
- Contribute to the design and evaluation of tasks, safe work systems, product/service systems and environments.
- Address both strategic analysis of policy and law, as well as their application in response to incidents or breaches and in developing effective OHS management systems.
- Acquire management, leadership and communication tools and strategies that can be applied in a range of contexts
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: CSP $9,300 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2025 fees
2025: $37,400 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: CSP $9,000 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: $33,900 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
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