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Professional Recognition

Code MAAAKH

Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Major

Creative thinkers made here.

Creative thinkers made here.

Why study at ECU?

About this Major

This major specifically develops skills in the quantification and assessment of occupational and environmental health and safety risks and prepares students for employment as either environmental health or health and safety professionals.

Students graduate with practical and theoretical knowledge and skills in communication, teamwork, critical thinking, innovation, and cross-cultural and international awareness. They are highly sought after and can choose a range of interesting and dynamic career pathways.

Code MAAAKH

Availability & Campus

Location Availability
Joondalup
Mount Lawley
South West
Online
= Available

Professional Recognition

  • This Major has been Accredited by: Environmental Health Australia (EHA).

    This Major has received full accreditation from Environmental Health Australia (EHA). This Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Major allows graduates to be appointed as an authorised person under relevant legislation.

    This professional recognition only applies when you study this Major in the following course:

  • This Major has been Accredited by: Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

    This Major has received full accreditation from the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Recognition of Prior learning (RPL) based on VET qualifications and/or work experience will not be granted for core units that can be undertaken within an IOSH accredited degree at ECU.

    This professional recognition only applies when you study this Major in the following course:

  • This Major has been Accredited by: Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board (AOHSEAB).

    This Major has received full accreditation from the Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board (AOHSEAB). Recognition of Prior learning (RPL) based on VET qualifications and/or work experience will not be granted for core units that can be undertaken within an AOHSEAB accredited degree at ECU.

    This professional recognition only applies when you study this Major in the following course:

Membership

Students can apply for membership with Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

Eligible enrolled students can access IOSH Student Membership for the duration of their studies and, on successful completion, they will meet the academic requirements for Graduate membership. As IOSH is the only organisation in the world that offers Chartered Membership to health and safety practitioners, this can help members achieve the highest professional standards and gain international recognition.

Students can apply for membership with Environmental Health Australia.

Students are encouraged to apply for EHA membership whilst undertaking their studies (no fee for student members), and are eligible to apply for Graduate membership upon successful completion of this degree.

Details

Structure

Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
HST1152Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety15
OHS1120Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Science15
HST1160Occupational and Environmental Health Regulation15
SCI1193Introduction to Environmental Science15
SCP1134Foundations of Physics15
HST2116Environmental Health Professional Practice15
HST2131Public Health Microbiology15
HST2145Risk Management15
HST2184Communicable Disease Control15
HST2220Health Promotion Planning and Administration15
HST2258Occupational Hygiene and Toxicology15
HST3180Environmental Health Investigations15
HST3182Food Safety 15
HST3350Safety and Ergonomic Hazards15
HST3357Occupational Safety and Health Management15
HST3503Workplace Compensation and Injury Management15

For more detailed unit information for this Major take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Notes

Important notes

  • The majority of units in this major can be studied either on-campus or online, with some units only available for online enrolment. Compulsory attendance requirements: HST2258: All students will be required to participate in compulsory on-campus laboratory practicals. HST2116: Students will be required to complete 200 hours of industry placement with a local or state government environmental health service. HST3182: Students are strongly encouraged to attend an on campus 3-day workshop to learn practical skills associated with food safety. There will be an alternative assessment for students who are not able to attend the workshop, subject to the approval of the Unit Coordinator. Refer to unit details for specific delivery information for each unit.

  • All students will complete HST2116 Environmental Health Professional Practice unit which includes 200 hours of industry placement with a local or state government environmental health service. Work Integrated Learning is a core requirement of course accreditation and has been designed to cover specified competencies, and must be certified by a qualified Environmental Health practitioner acting as the placement supervisor. Specified competencies are wide ranging, but include environmental health inspections and complaint investigation under relevant legislation, and a range of scientific sampling practices.

    Attendance requirements

    Students will attend a mix of metropolitan and regional placements where possible. Students negotiate their placement with the host organisation to fit in with their availability, usually 1 day per week in a Metro location and a block in mid semester breaks in country placements.

    Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

    A placement host may have vaccination and other requirements, including vaccination against COVID-19 unless you have a medical exemption. Please consider this requirement before enrolling in this Course, and speak with the Course Coordinator if this raises any concerns. You may not be able to complete placement units if you are unable to meet the placement requirements, which may impact your ability to complete this course. All students have to complete a risk assessment and undergo an induction.

    Professional practice rules

    The students are issued a WIL handbook that contains an induction and they are expected to conform to the placement providers’ internal induction and work related policies.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of theoretical and practical occupational health and Safety (OHS), workplace health and safety (WHS) and environmental health situations.
  2. Think critically to analyse, interpret and conceptualise complex OHS, WHS and environmental health problems.
  3. Use digital technologies and literacies to access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources.
  4. Communicate disciplinary knowledge and values in professional and public contexts.
  5. Think creatively to anticipate challenges and generate OHS, WHS and environmental health specific solutions/responses.
  6. Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural diversity, including Indigenous cultural competence.
  7. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values.
  8. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and professional practice.

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities

Environmental Health Officers, Occupational Health and Safety professionals.

Possible future job titles

Environmental Health Officers, Occupational Health and Safety, Health Officer, Health Inspector, Workplace Health and Safety, Occupational Safety and Health

This Major can be studied in the following courses

Experiences

Explore your options

Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health Jacques Oosthuizen is investigating the affects of hazardous chemicals on firefighters.

A profession for a pandemic

Environmental Health professionals have never been so important to the world. After all, this is someone who instigates prevention programs and strategies for the control of communicable diseases and major outbreaks like coronavirus.

At ECU you can start a career in Environmental Health – or add to existing qualifications – through two study options:

  • Diploma in Environmental Health - 1 year full-time
  • Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in Occupational & Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) - 3 years full-time

Both courses can be studied online, and completing the Diploma gives you up to one year's credit towards the degree course.

The new OEHS major also has provisional professional accreditation with Environmental Health Australia.

Student stories

  • Caitlyn Roberts

    Caitlyn Roberts

    ECU Health Science graduate (OEHS major) and Shire of Harvey Environmental Health Officer

    Through work experience I found my passion for Environmental Health.

    I still use the knowledge gained from my work experience opportunities in my job today. They provided me with a great insight into the potential jobs and tasks that I could be doing. My greatest achievement so far was being the winner of the Australian Institute of Health and Safety National OHS Education Award. It was a great honour to be nominated by my lecturers at ECU.

  • Kate Mann

    Kate Mann

    ECU Health Science (OSH major) student and Safety Adviser at Talison Lithium

    ECU offered courses for my chosen field, so it was a very easy decision to study there.

    I had a great interest in furthering my career and with ECU offering a variety of courses for my chosen field, it was a very easy decision to make. I found the independence of online learning great for my circumstance of having a family and working full-time. There was also the opportunity of online interaction and assistance from both lecturers and fellow students.

The Important Things

Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.

Course Entry

There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.

Fees & Scholarships

Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.

Applying

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ECU Experience

Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.