Rural Health
UndergraduateLTU-PHE3BRH2026
Course information for 2026 intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 5 July 2026
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 13 July 2026
- Price from
- $1,192
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Rural Health
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Discuss differences in health outcomes between rural and metropolitan Australians in relationship to socio-environmental characteristics of rural and remote areas.
- Analyse and discuss models of health care service delivery available to rural communities and how this impacts on access to health care.
- Apply concepts of practice issues for working in rural and remote Australia.
- Engage with colleagues and participate in an online environment for the exploration and discussion of rural and remote health contexts and concepts in Australia.
- Introduction to Rural Health in Australia
- Rural and Remote Health Service Structure
- Social, Environmental and Structural Determinants of Health
- Understanding Culture, Cultural Safety and Cultural Responsiveness in Rural Health
- First Nations Sovereignty, Anti-Racism and Systems Change in Rural Health
- Rural Health Workforce
- Leadership and Crisis Response in Rural Communities
- Specific Topics in Rural Health – Birth and Early Childhood
- Specific Topics in Rural Health – Disability and Mental Health
- Specific Topics in Rural Health – Age and Palliative Care
In this subject students will expand their knowledge of the Australian rural health context, as well as be introduced to concepts in rural health practice. Using a public health framework, students will explore differences between rural and urban health status and the relationship to broader social determinants. In doing so, the implications for health policy, rural health service delivery and professional practice are examined. Students also have the opportunity to review discipline-specific professional practice in a rural setting.
- 1000-word reflective piece. Students will be required to reflect on their own cultural competence and apply the concept of culturally safe practice to rural health outcomes. (30%)
- Online activities (equivalent to 1200 words) Students are required to complete weekly individual and/or group tasks online (e.g. written reflection, quiz, discussions) (30%)
- 1,800-word essay. Students will be required to examine the implications of remoteness for health on a selected remote Australian community (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 17
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 15
Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Elective
- LAT-HSC-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Health Sciences
- LAT-AHS-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
Others
Prerequisites: Students must have completed 120 credit points.
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.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-AHS-DEG