Build necessary skills in risk identification and management to build a safer workplace and community.
The Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety equips you with the knowledge and skills to identify, prevent and manage complex and diverse health risks, hazards and exposures.
You will develop a deep understanding of best practices when implementing and evaluating risk management interventions within a broad range of workplace and community environments.
Due to the rapid growth in this field, the skills and knowledge you develop through this certificate can open doors to a range of career opportunities from occupational hygiene and compliance to construction safety, human factors and ergonomics.
Connect with industry throughout your studies, opening up employment opportunities and developing industry contacts.
Learn from academics with extensive industry experience and well-developed contact networks.
Develop the skills to identify and prevent diverse occupational and environmental health risks and related health problems.
Through your studies, you will learn how to apply a risk management model to hazards in the workplace, allowing you to recognise the context, evaluate the risk, and generate control solutions.
You will use the model of OHS professional practice for problem solving which involves gathering information about the issue, diagnosing the issue, developing and implementing appropriate interventions, and evaluating their effectiveness, all the while communicating with relevant stakeholders.
During your studies in this graduate certificate, you will build a strong understanding of the science and technology of risk management, through assessment and evaluation of hazards and development of specific control mechanisms.
You will develop advanced knowledge in:
You will learn from experienced professionals and academics who share their knowledge, experience and contacts to help you prepare for a varied and exciting career.
You will learn from participation in lectures, tutorials, presentations, interactions, discussions and sundry academic activities.
Assessments throughout this graduate certificate will include:
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.
As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:
RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.
You will apply your learning in a range of contexts, with the opportunity to gain experience through the Compulsory Work Health and Safety project, where you will access and resolve issues within an actual workplace environment.
You will receive ongoing mentoring, with opportunities to engage and connect with industry throughout your studies.
The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.
The Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety revolves around 4 key subjects.
In addition to the study of human factors and occupational ergonomics, you will explore the principles and science behind work health and safety and the associated legal systems.
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
The Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety provides the building blocks for you to commence an exciting career within workplace health and safety.
Graduates may work in fields such as ergnomics, safety or occupational hygiene within a range of industries including construction, healthcare, science and office settings.
You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.
For 2025, this degree will be delivered only on a part-time academic load.
You must have:
To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.
You can gain entry to this graduate certificate from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce your study load by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Upon successful completion of this graduate certificate, you can continue your studies in the GD052 Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or MC282 Master of Occupational Health and Safety, subject to the program’s entrance requirements and receive 48 credit points of advanced standing into either of these programs.
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.
Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.
See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
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