Course Information

Graduate Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety

Effective from 01-JAN-2021 : Code S73

This course aims to develop professionals in the field of occupational and health and safety (OHS), in particular, to develop the skills of identification and management of workplace hazards that may adversely impact on the health and safety of workers. On completion of the program it is expected that students should be able to: implement and assess an occupational health and safety management system that reflects the OHS needs and issues of an organisation, taking into account the size and complexity of the organisation; critically review the risk management processes that have been developed for a workplace and/or industry, including the characterisation of incident-investigation processes identifying issues in specific industries/workplaces; critically review the legal framework for occupational safety and health in Australia; synthesise the factors that have influenced the development of occupational safety and health law in Australia; synthesise the factors that influence the application of occupational safety and health legislation in the workplace; categorise hazards according to type, assess when a hazard becomes a risk and characterise the principles of safe design in relation to potential impacts on people, plant and/or the environment; demonstrate academic skills which include writing, referencing and researching at a postgraduate level including professional competencies in the use of commonly used business software packages used in occupational health and safety.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Communicate advanced specialised OHS/WHS knowledge, concepts and skills to a variety of audiences.
  2. Apply high level independent judgement when investigating and evaluating complex OHS/WHS situations to generate solutions.
  3. Demonstrate leadership and management skills by planning, implementing and evaluating substantial OHS/WHS projects.

Professional Recognition

Course

This course has been Accredited by: Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
Recognition of Prior learning (RPL) based on VET qualifications and/or work experience will not be granted for core units that can be undertaken within an IOSH accredited degree at ECU.

This course has been Accredited by: Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board (AOHSEAB).

Membership

Students can apply for membership with Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. Eligible enrolled students can access IOSH Student Membership for the duration of their studies and, on successful completion, they will meet the academic requirements for Graduate membership. As IOSH is the only organisation in the world that offers Chartered Membership to health and safety practitioners, this can help members achieve the highest professional standards and gain international recognition.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 6)

  • Bachelor degree; or
  • Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 4)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
  • Bachelor degree from a country specified in the Admissions Policy;
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
  • Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree in any discipline. Alternatively applicants can apply if they have completed the Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, with equivalents considered.

Course Duration

  • Full Time: 1 Year
  • Part Time: 2 Years

Course Delivery

  • Online: Full Time, Part Time

Course Coordinator

Dr Marcus Paul CATTANI

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
OHS6130Workplace Health and Safety Law20
OHS6131Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management20
OHS6132Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems20
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
OHS5118Occupational Hygiene Science20
OHS6107Workplace Hazards20
OHS6135Health and Safety Principles in Practice20

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

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