Graduate Certificate of Occupational Hygiene

At the end of the program, students of the Graduate Certificate of Occupational Hygiene can:

1. Apply communication and collaboration skills to demonstrate well-developed judgement in professional occupational hygiene contexts.
2. Apply technical and creative skills to investigate and evaluate complex occupational hygiene ideas, concepts and theories in workplace situations.
3. Reflect critically on advanced discipline knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate a high level of Occupational Hygiene professional practice or scholarship.

This program has been developed for practitioners to acquire skills in occupational hygiene. The course will assist you develop or enhance your skills in the practical aspects of identifying, evaluating, and controlling occupational hazards that could adversely affect the health of workers.

You’ll learn about occupational epidemiology, occupational toxicology and the chemical, physical and biological aspects of occupational hygiene. You will apply communication and collaboration skills to demonstrate judgement in professional occupational hygiene contexts.

Recommended study pattern

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

• Occupational Epidemiology
• Occupational Hygiene Science
• Occupational Hygiene 1: Chemical Aspects
• Occupational Hygiene 2: Physical and Biological Aspects
• Occupational Hygiene 3: Control
• Occupational Hygiene Sampling and Study Design
• Occupational Toxicology

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

Exit points

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

Academic admission requirements (Band 6) may be satisfied through completion of the following:

Bachelor degree; or

Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant 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.)

Students are required to attend a 3 day workshop for each of the 3 practical units.