This degree is closed to new applications. You may be interested in other courses in Sustainability
Diploma of Sustainable Living
Undergraduate
TAS-SUS-DIP 2021Course information for 2021 intake
Help our planet last longer
Think about your experiences as an individual, consumer and citizen in terms of sustainability at a range of scales; regional, nationally and globally. Discover tools to bring sustainability to life. Consider social justice, equity and diversity.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Diploma of Sustainable Living
About this degree
Upon successful completion of this diploma, students should be able to:
- Identify opportunities to contribute to sustainable living by reflecting on the choices you make in your life
- Design pathways to a sustainable future for communities with networks of social practice around sustainable living
- Explain the impact your day-to-day activities and decisions have on contributing to the global agenda of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainability is a process of inquiry that promotes and integrates economic, environmental, social, cultural learning and practices that service positive living in society both now and in the future. The Diploma of Sustainable Living aims to link participants’ lived experience as an individual, consumer and citizen with learning for sustainability at a range of scales; regional, nationally and globally. The curriculum is structured around five narratives that are linked with selected UN Sustainable Development goals and include: sustainability at home; sustainability in the environment; sustainability as a social enterprise; sustainability to empower transformative change; sustainability and justice; and, sustainability and human health.
All students study an introductory unit on sustainability to provide a foundation to their study in the discipline and a capstone unit that integrates their learning and is aligned to the UN sustainability goals to build literacy of sustainability at a geopolitical level.
Students specialise in one of four interconnected streams, including:
- Environment, ecology and planet
- Resource use and design for living
- Food, well-being and health
- Social justice, equity and diversity
The curriculum is taught by academics, community and industry representatives with disciplinary expertise in different aspects of sustainability. Delivery of content is online to enable participants to undertake self-paced study that they apply in authentic contexts to their own lives. Graduates of the Diploma of Sustainable Living have a range of outcomes, whether it be applying their knowledge to their homes, in the community or providing the foundation for spin-off enterprises with a foundation in sustainability. The Diploma is a potential pathway to further study at bachelor’s level in a range of science, humanities and health related disciplines.
This course is not available to international students.
Recommended study pattern
Students are required to complete 8 subjects under the following study pattern outline:
2 subjects from the First Year Introductory Subjects including TAS-KAA106 Introduction to Sustainability Literacy and TAS-KGA107 Local Lives for a Sustainable Planet
6 subjects from 2 of the following Streams (3 different subjects per stream):
- Environment, Ecology and Planet
- Resource Use and Design for Living
- Well-being and Health to Promote Sustainable Living
- Social Justice, Equity and Diversity
Award requirements
Successful completion of 8 subjects from the outlined study pattern within 3 years from commencement.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $7,950
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 20
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
Entry requirements
Successful completion of at least 2 of the following subjects through OUA:
- KAA106, ZAS112 and/or KDA101
Applicants will be assessed on prior study history and/or a personal competency statement.
Applicants may be assessed on prior study including ATAR from previous Year 11/12 studies; and/or
Proficiency in English reading and writing equivalent to Reading Level 4.03 and Writing Level 3.06 and Numeracy Level 3 (all aspects) according to the Australian Core Skills Framework
Assessment may be made on the basis of TAFE study (Cert III or higher)
Applicants may be assessed on a personal competency statement demonstrating equivalent to the above through work or other experience.
The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.
Career opportunities
The Diploma of Sustainable Living aims to link participants’ lived experience as an individual, consumer and citizen with learning for sustainability at a range of scales; regional, nationally and globally.
The curriculum is structured around five narratives that are linked with selected UN Sustainable Development goals and include: sustainability at home; sustainability in the environment; sustainability as a social enterprise; sustainability to empower transformative change; sustainability and justice; and, sustainability and human health.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Environmental Managers | Over $120K | N/A^ |
Policy Analysts | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
Policy and Planning Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.8% |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.