Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

At the end of the program, students of the Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety can:

1. apply independent judgement when investigating and evaluating complex OHS/WHS situations to generate solutions
2. communicate specialised OHS/WHS knowledge, concepts and skills to a variety of audiences
3. demonstrate management skills by planning, implementing and evaluating substantial OHS/WHS projects.

This course offers two streams; the first (OHS Professional) is designed for people who aim to become or are already working as an OHS professional, and the second (OHS Specialist) is designed for people who prefer to design their own study program from a selection units.

The OHS Professional stream provides an introduction to the field of occupational health and health management and has been developed to equip students with the basic skills necessary to function effectively in OHS roles. The 3 units in this stream are core to the Graduate Diploma.

The OHS Specialist stream provides an opportunity to develop skills and knowledge from a selection of our elective units. This course is designed to assist professionals who have a role including OHS or an interest in OHS with an education in a wide variety of related disciplines.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• Workplace Health and Safety Law
• Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management
• Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
• Workplace Health and Safety Law

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you. 

Award requirements

Students are required to complete 60 credit points.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $11,550

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.

ECU is ranked one of the world’s best young universities and Australia’s best public university for teaching quality. That quality extends to more than 30,000 students, many studying online through Open Universities Australia. ECU offers the same quality of teaching to you, regardless of where you’re studying in the world. Their flexible study solutions include a huge range of online courses, recognising your need to juggle work, family or other commitments.

Learn more about ECU.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

29

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

24

All applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree in any discipline, with equivalents considered. Alternatively applicants can apply with an AQF level 5 qualification e.g. Diploma (or equivalent) in Occupational Health and Safety and have at least five years appropriate professional experience.

Students can satisfy English competency requirements by showing any of the following:

• An IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0).
• Completion of a Bachelor degree from a country specified by ECU.
• Completion of 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).
• Equivalent prior learning courses including at least five years relevant professional experience – as accepted by ECU.
• Completion of other tests, courses or programs as accepted by ECU

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. For eligible students, ECU offers credit and recognition of prior learning (CRPL). There are 2 CRPL options: 

• Credit transfer to acknowledge students’ formal learning at uni or TAFE. 
• Recognition of students’ informal learning gained outside of the education system (for example workplace experience or volunteer training.)