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CQUni Handbook
CG48 - Associate Degree of Occupational Health and Safety
Overview
Compulsory Residential School
Some units in this course require you to attend a compulsory Residential School or Work Integrated Learning. Please see Course Features in the Getting Started tab for further information.Course Overview
The purpose of this course is to produce graduates who are confident and competent health and safety paraprofessionals ready to be employed in health and safety decision making and management. Graduates will be able to facilitate, educate, problem solve and promote health and safety at workplaces and in the community.
This course has been designed to prepare paraprofessionals in occupational health and safety with specifically applied knowledge, attitudes, skills and initiatives in the safety science areas of:
- ergonomics and human factors;
- accident investigation; and
- occupational health and safety management.
Units are designed to drive you through project-based authentic industry-relevant assessment tasks. Throughout this course you are provided opportunities to practically apply your learning, including participation in supervised worksite visits with practical opportunities to apply your learning to given situations. This presents you with valuable learning and application opportunities before the completion of your studies.
Graduates may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Occupational Health & Safety with advanced standing of 96 units of credit.
Career Information
Opportunities exist for graduates in management/consultancy and practice of workplace health and safety. For example, ergonomics, industrial safety officer, occupational hygienist and risk management. Employment is found in primary industry, rural safety, manufacturing, mining, services industry, employer associations, the defence force, health industry and government authorities.
Course Details
| Duration | 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Credit Points that Must be Earned | 96 |
| Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
| Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
| Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
| Qualification (post nominal) | ADOHS |
| AQF Level | Level 6: Associate Degree |
| Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
|
Admission Codes
|
Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
|
|---|---|
|
International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.
Domestic Availability
Term 2 - 2026
Online
Term 1 - 2026
Online
Term 2 - 2025
Online
Term 1 - 2025
Online
Term 2 - 2024
Online
Term 1 - 2024
Online
Term 2 - 2023
Online
Term 1 - 2023
Online
Term 2 - 2022
Online
Term 1 - 2022
Online
Term 2 - 2021
Online
Term 1 - 2021
Adelaide
Bundaberg
Brisbane
Gladstone
Melbourne
Mackay
Online
Perth
Rockhampton
Sydney
Term 2 - 2020
Adelaide
Bundaberg
Brisbane
Gladstone
Melbourne
Mackay
Online
Perth
Rockhampton
Sydney
Term 1 - 2020
Adelaide
Bundaberg
Brisbane
Gladstone
Melbourne
Mackay
Online
Perth
Rockhampton
Sydney
Term 2 - 2019
Adelaide
Bundaberg
Brisbane
Gladstone
Melbourne
Mackay
Online
Perth
Rockhampton
Sydney
Term 1 - 2019
Adelaide
Bundaberg
Brisbane
Gladstone
Melbourne
Mackay
Online
Perth
Rockhampton
Sydney
Term 2 - 2018
Adelaide
Bundaberg
Brisbane
Distance
Gladstone
Melbourne
Mackay
Perth
Rockhampton
Sydney
Term 1 - 2018
Adelaide
Bundaberg
Brisbane
Distance
Gladstone
Melbourne
Mackay
Perth
Rockhampton
Sydney
Term 2 - 2017
Adelaide
Bundaberg
Brisbane
Distance
Gladstone
Melbourne
Rockhampton
Term 1 - 2017
Adelaide
Bundaberg
Brisbane
Distance
Gladstone
Melbourne
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2016
Bundaberg
Brisbane
Distance
Rockhampton
Term 1 - 2016
Bundaberg
Brisbane
Distance
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2015
Bundaberg
Brisbane
Distance
Rockhampton
Term 1 - 2015
Bundaberg
Brisbane
Distance
Rockhampton
Show All
International Availability
Term 2 - 2026
Online
Term 1 - 2026
Online
Term 2 - 2025
Online
Term 1 - 2025
Online
Term 2 - 2024
Online
Term 1 - 2024
Online
Term 2 - 2023
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2023
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2022
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2022
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2021
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2021
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2020
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2020
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2019
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2019
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2018
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2018
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2017
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2017
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2016
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2016
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 2 - 2015
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Term 1 - 2015
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact
13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at
http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
| Rank Threshold | SR 60 | ATAR 60 |
Academic Requirements
English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent
English Language Proficiency Requirements
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:
- A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
- An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
- Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0
completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
- An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
- An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
International Students should visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information.
Each student will be assessed individually.
Assumed Knowledge
Domestic - While there are no course pre-requisites, Senior English, Senior Science and Senior Mathematics are strongly recommended. Students without Senior English, Senior Science and Senior Mathematics are strongly recommended to undertake one of the following access courses:
- Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS)
- Tertiary Entry Program (TEP)
Security Requirements
No information available at this time
Health Requirements
No information available at this time
Fees and Charges
Course Features
Awards and Accreditation
| Interim Awards | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Exit Awards | Not applicable |
| Accreditation |
|
Residential School Requirements
| Compulsory Residential School | OCHS12002 OHS Practice |
|---|---|
| Click here to view all Residential Schools | |
Practicum/Work Placement
| Not applicable |
Previous and Current Enrolments
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2020 | 22 |
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
Examples are:
- Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
- Demonstrating respect for cultural and professional diversity as well as individual differences and capacities in the safety science environment.
- Treating personal information obtained in the professional environment as private and confidential.
Examples are:
- Successfully processing your own emotions and behaviour when dealing with stressful situations that can arise in the safety science environment.
- Maintaining behavioural stability through successfully distinguishing your own personal behaviours, experiences and emotions from others and situations in a professional setting.
- Being reflective with personal behaviours appropriate to professional performance and being positive and receptive to processing constructive supervisor/lecturer/peer feedback or criticism.
Examples are:
- Complying with university and workplace policy with the use of social media, online discussion forums, email and other electronic forms of communication.
- Complying with the relevant workplace policies and practices including relevant OHS legislative requirements pertaining to the safety science environment.
- Complying with the policies and practices of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
Examples are:
- Verbally communicating in English your transport and safety sciences knowledge with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness in a wide variety of contexts.
- Actively participating in discussion and course activities with appropriate use and command of language to the context.
- Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual, group or workplace.
- Establishing rapport with all stakeholders in the delivery of safety science practice and responding appropriately to stakeholders and other professionals.
- Using appropriate facial expressions, body movements and gestures, being mindful of space boundaries.
- Recognising and interpreting on-verbal cues of others and responding appropriately during activities related to the course and in professional practice.
- Adopting non-threatening body language during challenging and/or stressful situations with others.
- Competently and appropriately producing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner, and with correct grammar and punctuation to the required academic standards.
- Expressing complex and detailed information and knowledge in logical and legible formats, in a timely manner that meets professional standards and clearly communicates the intended message.
- Accurately conveying and documenting information in a written form to develop and execute a case of cohesive argument that meets academic, professional and safety science practice requirements.
- Competently using a desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X.
- Having access to a computer and having sufficient computer skills to engage in on-line learning, reading, initiating and responding to emails and other forms of electronic communication, and completing relevant assessments for the course. This includes being able to regularly access the Internet for coursework and research.
- Competently using productivity software such as Microsoft Office, and operate associated electronic technologies such as (but not limited to) digital scanners, cameras and video cameras, a tablet computer or a mobile phone in the contemporary academic, professional and safety science practice requirements.
- Analysing, manipulating and displaying scientific information using a variety of specific programs.
Examples are:
- Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge and evidence in response to academic assessment items and in the professional practice with organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
- Completing academic learning activities and assessment tasks, and performing professional skills within reasonable set time-frames.
- Constructing written text proficiently, in English, using appropriate vocabulary, correct grammar and conventions of speech, including being able to paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic and professional conventions.
- Competently reading, writing and accurately interpreting information to convey language effectively in a professional setting.
- Completing documentation that is accurate, clear and concise.
- Demonstrating competency in applying mathematics knowledge and numeracy skills to accurately read and interpret various measurements.
- Demonstrating effective use of mathematics knowledge and numeracy skills in the application of safety science practice.
- Demonstrating competency in manipulating and analysing numerical data.
Examples are:
- Having sufficient visual acuity to accurately measure and assess.
- Having sufficient visual acuity to work in a team-based safety science environment.
- Having sufficient visual acuity to identify hazards to self and others.
- Perceiving fine detail on a computer screen and/or mobile/portable device.
- Discerning an object from its background.
- Having sufficient auditory capacity to hear verbal communication from other professionals in safety science practice.
- Having sufficient auditory capacity to work in a team-based transport and safety sciences environment where verbal and non-verbal communication is essential to practice.
- Having sufficient auditory capacity to capture auditory warning circumstances, movements or signals where other senses may not detect such stimuli.
- Interacting with a computer through input devices such as a mouse or keyboard.
- Interacting with mobile devices through inputs such as buttons and a touchscreen.
- Interacting with the physical environment.
Examples are:
- Reflecting critically on topics taught during the course.
- Identifying when a practice issue is outside one's scope or expertise and being able to reflect and learn from this experience.
- Identifying when one's practice may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions and be able to reflect and learn from this experience.
- Reflecting on situations that may be difficult and sensitive.
- Identifying, reflecting and learning from successful situations as well as opportunities for improvement.
Examples are:
- Actively participating safely and effectively in intensive safety science tasks that require sustained levels of physical energy and concentration over a long duration.
- Actively participating in a variety of transport and safety sciences tasks in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Examples are:
- Incorporating a range of gross motor skills while participating effectively in activities related to safety science practice.
- Moving with ease while undertaking activities related to safety science practice.
- Working safely and effectively in a variety of physical environments applicable to safety science practice.
- Using a variety of fine motor skills in various safety science activities.
- Interacting with a computer through input devices such as a mouse or keyboard.
- Interacting with mobile devices through inputs such as buttons and a touchscreen.
Examples are:
- Relating positively and communicating with a wide variety of colleagues and stakeholders in the professional environment.
- Creating and maintaining rapport, empathy and at times using diplomacy to ensure effective working relationships and outcomes with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Being highly consultative in the processes of creating and sustaining effective working relationships and outcomes with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Creating cultural competence, sensitivity and willingness to work with a vast array of people in the community.
Examples are:
- Competently using a desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X.
- Having access to a computer and have sufficient computer skills to engage in on-line learning, reading, initiating and responding to emails and other forms of electronic communication, and completing relevant assessments for this course. This includes being able to regularly access the Internet for coursework and research.
- Competently using productivity software such as Microsoft Office and operating associated electronic technologies such as (but not limited to) digital scanners, cameras and video cameras, a tablet computer or a mobile phone in the contemporary academic, professional and transport and safety science practice requirements.
- Analysing, manipulating and displaying scientific information using a variety of specific programs and applications.
Core Learning Outcomes
- 1. Identify, evaluate and apply relevant OHS knowledge, processes, skills, principles and concepts in workplace settings
- 2. Work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to effectively address health and safety issues within a workplace setting
- 3. Communicate effectively and professionally within a community of practice and the workplace
- 4. Reflect realistically on their own paraprofessional practice and be able to effectively and sensitively implement change.
| Course Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have broad theoretical and technical knowledge with some depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines | ||||
| 2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to identify, analyse and evaluate information and concepts from a range of sources | ||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative thinking skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge and ideas with some depth in a discipline | ||||
| 4. SKILLS Have cognitive, communication and analytical skills to interpret and transmit responses to sometimes complex problems | ||||
| 5. SKILLS Have communication skills to make a clear and coherent presentation of knowledge and ideas with some intellectual independence | ||||
| 6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in paraprofessional practice | ||||
| 7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to adapt knowledge and skills in a range of contexts and/or for further studies in one or more disciplines | ||||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to adapt fundamental principles, concepts and techniques to known and unknown situations | ||||
| 9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and work and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | ||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | ||||
Course Structure
In order to complete this course, you must:
- Complete the core structure
Core Structure
| Number of units: 16 | Total credit points: 96 |
|---|
OCHS12002 OHS Practice includes a compulsory residential school.
| Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| AINV11001 | Real World Investigation | |
| OCHS11025 | Health and Safety Risk Management | |
| OCHS11026 | Introductory Occupational Health and Safety | |
| SCIE11022 | Introductory Science | |
| Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| AINV11002 | Socio-technical Systems | |
| AINV11003 | Introduction to Investigative Methods | |
| BMSC11010 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | |
| OCHS11027 | OHS Fundamentals | |
| Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| AINV12002 | Accident Phenomenology | |
| HLTH11027 | Foundations of Health | |
| OCHS12018 | Safety Science | |
| OCHS13018 | Safety Systems | |
| Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| OCHS12002 | Occupational Health and Safety Practice | |
| OCHS12015 | Occupational Health and Safety Law | |
| OCHS12019 | Human Factors | |
| OCHS13017 | Resilient Organisations | |
More Details
Residential school
There is one unit with a compulsory residential school:
-
OCHS12002 OHS Practice
There may be additional requirements for residential schools within electives. Students should confirm these through the Handbook.
Please note:
Students are advised to take the units in the pre-defined order thus acquiring the knowledge that will be assumed in the presentation of unit material at advanced levels. Students will be individually responsible for gaining the assumed entry-level knowledge of any unit they elect to take out of sequence.
Application for credit transfer
Credit transfer will only be granted where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies undertaken equivalent in content and depth to the CQUniversity units within this course have been successfully completed. Students should examine the unit synopses in this handbook to determine the units for which they may be eligible to claim exemption.
Refer to the Credit Transfer website at http://www.cqu.edu.au/credittransfer for further details on the guidelines and application process.
You can apply for direct credit against CQUniversity units , if equivalent tertiary level study has been completed. You must supply relevant documentation (study guides, unit profiles, etc) to do this. If your study was undertaken more than 10 years old, you may not be eligible to apply for this as credit.
Computing requirements
It is a requirement of enrolment in this course that students have access to the CQUniversity website. Students may be required to undertake various components of study in the course using email and the Internet.
It is strongly recommended that students have access to a broadband connection or higher to access online student resources that would include but not limited to, email, internet, video streaming, electronic assessment submission.