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Course Overview
This program is a paraprofessional associate degree based on the study of Occupational Health and Safety. It presents students with the opportunity to undertake a plan and apply their discipline of study to specifically designated industry career path option. It has been designed to prepare professionals in Occupational Health and Safety with specifically applied knowledge, attitudes, skills, and initiatives in the areas of:
- Occupational Hygiene;
- Ergonomics;
- Safety Science, and
- Occupational Health and Safety Management.
Graduates may apply for admission to the Bachelor in Occupational Health & Safety with advanced standing of 96 units of credit.
Career Information
Opportunities exist for graduates in management/consultancy and practice of workplace health and safety. For example, ergonomics, industrial safety officer, occupational hygienist and risk management. Employment is found in primary industry, rural safety, manufacturing, mining, services industry, employer associations, the defence force, health industry and government authorities.
| Duration | 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Credit Points that Must be Earned | 96 |
| Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
| Expected Hours of Study | Each unit at this level, typically requires 144 hours of student commitment over a period of 12 weeks. |
| Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
| Qualification (post nominal) | ADOHS |
| AQF Level | Level 6: Associate Degree |
| Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2026
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Admission Codes
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
Domestic Availability
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Term 2 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 2 - 2023
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Term 1 - 2023
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Term 2 - 2022
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Term 1 - 2022
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Term 2 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 2 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 2 - 2019
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Term 1 - 2019
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Term 2 - 2018
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Term 1 - 2018
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Term 2 - 2017
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Term 1 - 2017
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Term 2 - 2016
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Term 1 - 2016
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Term 2 - 2015
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Term 1 - 2015
International Availability
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Term 2 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 2 - 2023
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Term 1 - 2023
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Term 2 - 2022
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Term 1 - 2022
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Term 2 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 2 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 2 - 2019
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Term 1 - 2019
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Term 2 - 2018
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Term 1 - 2018
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Term 2 - 2017
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Term 1 - 2017
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Term 2 - 2016
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Term 1 - 2016
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Term 2 - 2015
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Term 1 - 2015
| Rank Threshold | SR 60 | ATAR 60 |
Domestic: Statement of employment with industry partner.
English and a science subject
Awards and Accreditation
| Interim Awards | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Exit Awards | Not applicable |
| Accreditation |
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Residential School Requirements
| Compulsory Residential School | |
|---|---|
| Click here to view all Residential Schools | |
Practicum/Work Placement
| Not applicable |
Previous and Current Enrolments
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2021 | 22 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
Examples are:
- Comply with academic and non-academic policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s 'Student Conduct Policy and Procedure', 'Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)' and 'Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure'.
- Demonstrating respect for cultural and professional diversity as well as individual differences and capacities in the safety science environment.
- Treating personal information obtained in the professional environment as private and confidential.
Examples are:
- Successfully processing your own emotions and behaviour when dealing with stressful situations that can arise in the safety science environment.
- Maintaining behavioural stability through successfully distinguishing your own personal behaviours, experiences and emotions from others and situations in a professional setting.
- Being reflective with personal behaviours appropriate to professional performance and being positive and receptive to processing constructive supervisor/lecturer/peer feedback or criticism.
Examples are:
- Complying with university and workplace policy with the use of social media, online discussion forums, email and other electronic forms of communication.
- Complying with the relevant workplace policies and practices including relevant OHS legislative requirements pertaining to the safety science environment.
- Complying with the policies and practices of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
Examples are:
- Verbally communicating in English your transport and safety sciences knowledge with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness in a wide variety of contexts.
- Actively participating in discussion and course activities with appropriate use and command of language to the context.
- Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual, group or workplace.
- Establishing rapport with all stakeholders in the delivery of safety science practice and responding appropriately to stakeholders and other professionals.
- Using appropriate facial expressions, body movements and gestures, being mindful of space boundaries.
- Recognising and interpreting on-verbal cues of others and responding appropriately during activities related to the course and in professional practice.
- Adopting non-threatening body language during challenging and/or stressful situations with others.
- Competently and appropriately producing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner, and with correct grammar and punctuation to the required academic standards.
- Expressing complex and detailed information and knowledge in logical and legible formats, in a timely manner that meets professional standards and clearly communicates the intended message.
- Accurately conveying and documenting information in a written form to develop and execute a case of cohesive argument that meets academic, professional and safety science practice requirements.
- Competently using a desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X.
- Having access to a computer and having sufficient computer skills to engage in on-line learning, reading, initiating and responding to emails and other forms of electronic communication, and completing relevant assessments for the course. This includes being able to regularly access the Internet for coursework and research.
- Competently using productivity software such as Microsoft Office, and operate associated electronic technologies such as (but not limited to) digital scanners, cameras and video cameras, a tablet computer or a mobile phone in the contemporary academic, professional and safety science practice requirements.
- Analysing, manipulating and displaying scientific information using a variety of specific programs.
Examples are:
- Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge and evidence in response to academic assessment items and in the professional practice with organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
- Completing academic learning activities and assessment tasks, and performing professional skills within reasonable set time-frames.
- Constructing written text proficiently, in English, using appropriate vocabulary, correct grammar and conventions of speech, including being able to paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic and professional conventions.
- Competently reading, writing and accurately interpreting information to convey language effectively in a professional setting.
- Completing documentation that is accurate, clear and concise.
- Demonstrating competency in applying mathematics knowledge and numeracy skills to accurately read and interpret various measurements.
- Demonstrating effective use of mathematics knowledge and numeracy skills in the application of safety science practice.
- Demonstrating competency in manipulating and analysing numerical data.
Examples are:
- Having sufficient visual acuity to accurately measure and assess.
- Having sufficient visual acuity to work in a team-based safety science environment.
- Having sufficient visual acuity to identify hazards to self and others.
- Perceiving fine detail on a computer screen and/or mobile/portable device.
- Discerning an object from its background.
- Having sufficient auditory capacity to hear verbal communication from other professionals in safety science practice.
- Having sufficient auditory capacity to work in a team-based transport and safety sciences environment where verbal and non-verbal communication is essential to practice.
- Having sufficient auditory capacity to capture auditory warning circumstances, movements or signals where other senses may not detect such stimuli.
- Interacting with a computer through input devices such as a mouse or keyboard.
- Interacting with mobile devices through inputs such as buttons and a touchscreen.
- Interacting with the physical environment.
Examples are:
- Reflecting critically on topics taught during the course.
- Identifying when a practice issue is outside one's scope or expertise and being able to reflect and learn from this experience.
- Identifying when one's practice may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions and be able to reflect and learn from this experience.
- Reflecting on situations that may be difficult and sensitive.
- Identifying, reflecting and learning from successful situations as well as opportunities for improvement.
Examples are:
- Actively participating safely and effectively in intensive safety science tasks that require sustained levels of physical energy and concentration over a long duration.
- Actively participating in a variety of transport and safety sciences tasks in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Examples are:
- Incorporating a range of gross motor skills while participating effectively in activities related to safety science practice.
- Moving with ease while undertaking activities related to safety science practice.
- Working safely and effectively in a variety of physical environments applicable to safety science practice.
- Using a variety of fine motor skills in various safety science activities.
- Interacting with a computer through input devices such as a mouse or keyboard.
- Interacting with mobile devices through inputs such as buttons and a touchscreen.
Examples are:
- Relating positively and communicating with a wide variety of colleagues and stakeholders in the professional environment.
- Creating and maintaining rapport, empathy and at times using diplomacy to ensure effective working relationships and outcomes with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Being highly consultative in the processes of creating and sustaining effective working relationships and outcomes with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Creating cultural competence, sensitivity and willingness to work with a vast array of people in the community.
Examples are:
- Competently using a desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X.
- Having access to a computer and have sufficient computer skills to engage in on-line learning, reading, initiating and responding to emails and other forms of electronic communication, and completing relevant assessments for this course. This includes being able to regularly access the Internet for coursework and research.
- Competently using productivity software such as Microsoft Office and operating associated electronic technologies such as (but not limited to) digital scanners, cameras and video cameras, a tablet computer or a mobile phone in the contemporary academic, professional and transport and safety science practice requirements.
- Analysing, manipulating and displaying scientific information using a variety of specific programs and applications.
- 1. Apply relevant Workplace Health and Safety principles in workplace settings
- 2. Use effective communication strategies in the negotiation with relevant stakeholders
- 3. Access and evaluate Workplace Health and Safety data and other related information
- 4. Demonstrate cross-cultural awareness and understanding in a workplace setting
- 5. Promote safe work practices through the provision of education and information programs
| Course Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have broad theoretical and technical knowledge with some depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines | |||||
| 2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to identify, analyse and evaluate information and concepts from a range of sources | |||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative thinking skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge and ideas with some depth in a discipline | |||||
| 4. SKILLS Have cognitive, communication and analytical skills to interpret and transmit responses to sometimes complex problems | |||||
| 5. SKILLS Have communication skills to make a clear and coherent presentation of knowledge and ideas with some intellectual independence | |||||
| 6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in paraprofessional practice | |||||
| 7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to adapt knowledge and skills in a range of contexts and/or for further studies in one or more disciplines | |||||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to adapt fundamental principles, concepts and techniques to known and unknown situations | |||||
| 9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and work and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | |||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | |||||
- Complete the core structure
| Number of units: 16 | Total credit points: 96 |
|---|
The following schedule is designed for part-time students who usually enrol in 2 courses per term or 12 units of credit.
| Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| HLTH11027 | Foundations of Health | |
| OCHS11025 | Health and Safety Risk Management | |
Students must also complete an OHS industry competency
| Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| OCHS12001 | Introductory Occupational Health and Safety | |
| OCHS12002 | Occupational Health and Safety Practice | |
| Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| OCHS12005 | Risk Management and Safety Technology CQ26 | |
Students must also complete an OHS industry competency
| Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| HMSC12026 | Teaching, Learning and Health Promotion | |
Students must also complete an OHS industry competency
| Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| OCHS12015 | Occupational Health and Safety Law | |
Students must also complete an OHS industry competency
| Year 4 - Term 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| OCHS13008 | Human Factors CQ26 | |
| OCHS13016 | Advanced Occupational Health | |
| Year 4 - Term 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| OCHS13010 | Applied Worksite Analysis | |
Student must also complete an Elective.
This program has compulsory residential schools. See the More Details page for further information.
Residential school
There is one unit with a compulsory residential school:
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OCHS12002 OHS Practice
There may be additional requirements for residential schools within electives. Students should confirm these through the Handbook.
Please note:
Students are advised to take the units in the pre-defined order thus acquiring the knowledge that will be assumed in the presentation of unit material at advanced levels. Students will be individually responsible for gaining the assumed entry-level knowledge of any unit they elect to take out of sequence.
Application for credit transfer
Credit transfer will only be granted where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies undertaken equivalent in content and depth to the CQUniversity units within this course have been successfully completed. Students should examine the unit synopses in this handbook to determine the units for which they may be eligible to claim exemption.
Refer to the Credit Transfer website at http://www.cqu.edu.au/credittransfer for further details on the guidelines and application process.
You can apply for direct credit against CQUniversity units , if equivalent tertiary level study has been completed. You must supply relevant documentation (study guides, unit profiles, etc) to do this. If your study was undertaken more than 10 years old, you may not be eligible to apply for this as credit.
Computing requirements
It is a requirement of enrolment in this course that students have access to the CQUniversity website. Students may be required to undertake various components of study in the course using email and the Internet.
It is strongly recommended that students have access to a broadband connection or higher to access online student resources that would include but not limited to, email, internet, video streaming, electronic assessment submission.