Master of Occupational Health and Safety

The Master of Occupational Health and Safety is designed for professionals looking to expand their skill-base in advanced aspects of health and safety for the occupational health and safety sectors of industry and community services. 

The program will expand your knowledge and skills in the field, providing improved career prospects and advancement in the health and safety industry. Our program incorporates experiential learning concepts with project-based learning and provides hands-on experience, ensuring students graduate with ‘real-world’ experience. 

On completion of the coursework, you will be able to manage all aspects of health and safety identification, assessment and control, apply specialised knowledge to implement prevention and control programs in the workplace, consult and communicate with appropriate use of managerial and industrial frameworks, analyse the implications of political, economic, sociological and technological trends on workplace health and safety practices, and promote a safe and healthy workforce through provision of education and information programs.

The Master of Occupational Health and Safety incorporates the same in-depth coursework as the graduate diploma, with the addition of research-based project study to provide you with the opportunity to choose a specific study area and enhance your research, theoretical and practical skills.

You have the option to study either full-time or part-time study and by distance education. CQUniversity’s highly experienced teaching staff are dedicated to supporting you through the learning journey to help you achieve your career goals. Strong relationships with industry bodies ensure the programs are relevant and up to date with current occupational health and safety practices.

What am I studying?

Occupational health and safety is concerned with the health and safety of the members within an organisation.

Occupational health and safety officers coordinate systems, identify hazards, assess risks and put required controls in place to minimise the risk of accidents and illness among staff. The typical work of an occupational health and safety officer also involves the promotion of health and safety including the development of policies and procedures, inspecting and testing of machinery and equipment, ensuring the correct safety and protective equipment is available and ensuring it meets regulations, ensuring that the organisation complies with legislation, supervising the investigation of accidents, assisting with the organisation of appropriate health care and insurance claims and coordinating emergency procedures.

Why Study at CQUniversity

CQUniversity’s health and medical sciences programs have been developed to meet the ever increasing needs of our communities both here in Australia and for the wider global audience. Many of our programs are extremely flexible, with part-time or full-time study options and the choice of studying on-campus or via distance education.  This flexibility allows students to study from anywhere in Australia while they continue to work and balance family life and other commitments.

CQUniversity programs are constantly being reviewed and updated in consultation with industry and other stakeholders to ensure that they are relevant and up to date. In fact, our suite of new offerings has been built as a direct response to industry needs by people with specialised industry experience.

CQUniversity’s Health and Medical Sciences academicstaff are at the forefront of their respective fields, often still contributing to and working within industry and the community.  Lecturers have a strong teaching and learning ethos and are committed to delivering quality learning experiences.

Home to The Institute for Health and Social Science Research for over a decade, CQUniversity is committed to delivering research outcomes that contribute to understanding, improving and promoting healthy, safe and viable communities.  The work being undertaken at the institute also informs the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum for health and medical sciences programs.

Study one of the many exciting health and medical science programs at CQUniversity and help make a real difference to community health and wellbeing.

Entry Requirements

Entry to the Graduate Diploma or Master of Occupational Health and Safety requires a three-year bachelor degree from an Australian university.  Students who have completed the graduate diploma or equivalent can apply for 48 units of credit towards the Master of Occupational Health and Safety.

Consideration may also be given on an individual basis to applicants with professional OHS (non-degree) qualifications or equivalent and who have had at least five years work experience at a middle or higher management level or other relevant qualifications, and are working towards professional OHS career development. Students applying for entry via this alternative approach will need to provide and show the ability to:

• Write a high level report,
• Read and analyse academic literature, government policy texts and create detailed reports, and
• Complete high level numeracy tasks applicable to workplace situations. 

Note: Students applying for entry without a three-year bachelor degree from an Australian university will be assessed by the Head of Program.

Career Opportunities

A Master of Occupational Health and Safety will enable career advancement in high level positions in the area of workplace health and safety in a number of industries, including mining, manufacturing, government, rural safety and primary industry.

Program Structure

You are required to complete a total of nine core courses. Some courses must be undertaken in the university Term 3. 

There are integrated residential schools for some courses.

Course Information

For example courses you could study as part of the Master of Occupational Health and Safety program please click here.

As CQUniversity is committed to providing quality, up-to-date and relevant education, please note courses are refreshed regularly and may not be an exact indication of course availability for your study. Please call 13CQUni 13 27 86 if you have specific questions regarding course information regarding your specific application.

Residential School and Study Requirements

Compulsory for those taking practice courses.

Professional Recognition

Upon graduation, may qualify as Workplace Health and Safety Officers in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Industrial Relations (Qld) and are eligible to apply for Chartered Professional Membership with the Safety Institute of Australia.