Enrolments for 2020 have closed.
Introduction to OHSE Law
Undergraduate | ACU-OHSE331 | 2020
Course information for 2020 intake
View information for 2021 course intakeStart your exploration of the Australian legal system.
Look through the legislation that regulates environmental protections and work safety. Discuss legal concepts like judicial precedent. Find out what penalties are meted out for offences.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
FEE-HELP available
Introduction to OHSE Law
About this subject
On completion of this subject the student should be able to:
- Describe the concepts of law, the judicial court systems, common law and equity, and the common law of employment and environmental protection
- Interpret concepts and practices in OHSE Management through the application of OHS and environmental legislation as it applies to organisations
- Through study of failures and inadequacies, analyse how OHSE risks to health or environment in organisations are legally required to be managed
- Find sources of legal precedence/case law and describe how these might impact on the OHS practices of the organisation or individuals.
- The Australian Legal System
- Maintaining currency with OHSE law, finding and reading case law
- Overview of WHS Act and Regulation and Environmental Legal Framework
- Health and safety and environment duties
- Duty to consult and provide training
- Health and safety representatives and designated work groups
- Authorisations and licensing
- Offences and penalties
- Regulation and enforcement
- Jurisdictional issues
- Other relevant jurisdictions for OHSE practice (Electrical Safety, Mining Safety, Maritime Safety, Explosives etc)
- Interface with Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Law as it applies to OHS practice
- Interface with Public Safety, EEO and Discrimination Law as it applies to OHSE practice
This subject covers an introduction to the Australian legal system, including concepts of common law, the doctrine of judicial precedent, and the court systems. Specific legislation regulating work health and safety, (with a focus on the national model laws), and protection of the environment, in so far as it relates to a workplace will be considered. The aim of the subject is to provide students with an understanding of the legal framework regulating OHS and environment in order to assist compliance with the legislation.
- Assessment (100%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about ACU.
Explore ACU courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 34
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 29
Entry requirements
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
one of
- ACU-OHSE201-Introduction to OHSE Management
ACU-OHS201 (Not currently available)
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
ACU-OHS331 (Not currently available)
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Single subject FAQs
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol 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 us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions .
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.