Curtin University
Master of Occupational Health and Safety
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 18 months
- Course Type: Master's
Strengthen your ability to assess workplace risks, manage occupational health and safety challenges and lead evidence-informed improvements across diverse industries and organisational settings.
Course overview
Curtin University’s Master of Occupational Health and Safety is designed for graduates from health, science, engineering or management-related backgrounds who want to build advanced capability in workplace health and safety. The course develops the theoretical and practical expertise needed to help prevent workplace injury and occupational disease.
You will explore workplace incident prevention, occupational hygiene, chemical safety, risk management, ergonomics, injury management, occupational disease and the economic and organisational dimensions of workplace safety. Throughout the course, you will apply theory, evidence and risk-based approaches to practical occupational health and safety challenges.
In the final stage of the course, you will strengthen your research, analytical and problem-solving capabilities through either research dissertation preparation or a public health capstone. Depending on your elective choices, you may also complete a Health Sciences Research Dissertation. Subject to completing the required units, you may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.
Delivered fully online, the course can be completed in one and a half years of full-time study or an equivalent part-time period. The course is recognised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health and graduates may be eligible to apply for IOSH membership and certification with the Safety Institute of Australia.
Key facts
12th July, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Master of Occupational Health and Safety, you must successfully complete units totalling 300 credit points. Unless otherwise noted, each unit is worth 25 credit points.
- Workplace Incident Prevention and Safety Management
- Occupational Hygiene and Chemical Safety
- Risk Management and Safety Technology
- Health and Safety Economics and Management
- Ergonomics
- Compensation and Injury Management
- Epidemiology and Evidence
- Occupational Diseases
Alternative Core units
Select one of the following:
- Health Sciences Research Dissertation Preparation (50 credit points)
- Public Health Capstone (50 credit points)
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To be eligible for this course, you must meet one of the following:
- Hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in a health-, science-, engineering- or management-related discipline.
- Have successfully completed a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.
All students must complete an academic skills module when they commence the course.
English-language requirements
Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency equivalent to:
- 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 or eligible qualification accepted by Curtin, provided you meet the required equivalent scores and conditions.
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
- 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 when solving problems.
- Develop information literacy skills by accessing, evaluating, and synthesising relevant information and evidence from a range of resources available in the field of OHS and using appropriate information and communication technology practices.
- Communicate effectively and function as part of a team and in collaboration 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.
- Facilitate, educate, and promote health and safety in the workplace concerning individuals, families, the community and the environment.
- Recognise the global nature of OHS issues and be familiar with appropriate international standards.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how culture can influence OHS issues.
- Develop appropriate skills and knowledge to provide leadership for improving OHS in the workplace.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $27,864 (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.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.