Curtin University

Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

  • Delivery: Online
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 6 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Certificate

Strengthen your ability to identify workplace hazards, manage occupational health and safety risks and support the prevention of injury and disease across diverse industries.

Course overview

Effective occupational health and safety practice requires an understanding of workplace hazards, risk controls and the systems used to prevent injury and occupational disease. Curtin University’s Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety is designed for graduates and OHS practitioners seeking specialised knowledge in this field.

You will examine risk and safety management, accident prevention, safety technology and relevant workplace health and safety legislation. The course develops your ability to assess workplace risks, consider regulatory responsibilities and recommend measures that support safer working environments.

Core learning is complemented by two specialist choices that allow you to explore areas such as occupational hygiene, ergonomics, injury management or health and safety economics. The qualification also forms part of Curtin’s pathway into further occupational health and safety study.

Delivered fully online, the course can be completed in six months of full-time study or an equivalent part-time period. Graduates can apply their knowledge across industries including mining, energy, manufacturing and construction, as well as corporate, government and health settings.

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery
Online
Course Type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
6 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $3,483
More Information
The estimated fee is determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.

From $1,200 (CSP)
More Information
You may be eligible for CSP where the government pays part of your fees. Fees are determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
Intake
February, 2027
July, 2027
Units
More Information
You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
4
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
FEE-HELP, HECS, CSP

What you will study

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, you must successfully complete units totalling 100 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 25 credit points.

Core units

  • Workplace Incident Prevention and Safety Management
  • Risk Management and Safety Technology

Elective units

Select 50 credit points from the following:

  • Compensation and Injury Management
  • Occupational Hygiene and Chemical Safety
  • Health and Safety Economics and Management
  • Ergonomics

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

To be eligible for this course, you must meet one of the following:

  • Hold a recognised bachelor's degree or equivalent, preferably in health, science, education or management-related background.

English language requirements

Curtin requires applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency. You can meet this requirement by providing evidence of one of the following:

  • An IELTS Academic overall band score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
  • An alternative English language test accepted by Curtin, provided you achieve the required equivalent scores.
  • An eligible previous qualification or another form of English language evidence accepted by Curtin.

Contact the university or visit its website for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help reduce the number of units you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduates will learn the following skills during the course:

  • Apply and integrate the knowledge, principles and practical skills of occupational health and safety to prevent injury and occupational disease in the workplace environment.
  • Apply logical and rational processes to critically analyse issues relevant to OHS and think creatively in solving problems.
  • Access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information and evidence from a range of resources available in OHS and use appropriate information and communication technology practices.
  • Communicate effectively with a range of people, including community groups, workers, employers, statutory authorities, their representatives and other professionals.
  • Use scientific and technological methods with an understanding of their advantages and limitations.
  • Demonstrate ability for self-directed and lifelong learning through the pursuit of professional development opportunities in occupational health and safety.
  • Recognise and apply international standards and perspectives within OHS.
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of cultural diversity, including the impact of cultural and social factors on OHS practices.
  • Demonstrate professionalism and capacity for leadership and be able to work independently, collaboratively and ethically.

Careers

Graduates may gain employment in various industries, including mining, oil, gas, manufacturing and construction. There may also be corporate, government, health and academic career opportunities.

Fees and CSP

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $4,800 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $13,932 (Full-fee paying place)

Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

  • The number of units studied.
  • Choice of units.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

  • Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
  • Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
  • Reviewed and adjusted each year.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.