Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health

The Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health provides an entry pathway into environmental health professional practice. Students are highly skilled to assess environmental health risks and combat a range of environmental challenges including climate change, pollution, and communicable diseases.

QUT’s programs are developed in collaboration with leading industry professionals. They provide insight into emerging trends and are regular guest lecturers and presenters in many of the environmental health subject areas.

Flexible study options are available for all core units, so you can manage your study around your other commitments. Some units do incorporate alternate study modes, such as intensive on-campus workshops which all students are required to attend to benefit from interactive learning. Alternatively you will be supported to obtain work experience. QUT’s assessments are authentic and replicate the work you will undertake in your future career.

You’ll graduate work ready with an understanding of environmental health principles and their application in the workplace. You’ll develop theoretical knowledge supplemented with hands-on practical skills and demonstrate transferable skills, such as risk assessment and management, evaluation, and decision-making skills, so you can adapt to future challenges.

The Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health provides an entry pathway into environmental health professional practice. Students are highly skilled to assess environmental health risks and combat a range of environmental challenges including climate change, pollution, and communicable diseases.

Practitioners working in the field of environmental health are involved in promoting healthy environments and managing environmental factors that affect human health. These may include: environmental degradation, climate change, contaminated food and water, waste management, disaster management, dangerous goods and chemicals, and drug safety management.

Leading industry professionals are contributors to the development and ongoing sustainment of our programs. They provide insight into emerging trends and are regular guest lecturers and presenters in many of the environmental health subject areas.

Careers and outcomes

Many graduates find employment as an environmental health officer (EHO). Their role may include: auditing of food safety and standards, environmental (e.g. air, water, noise) monitoring, investigations of environmental health complaints/issues, investigation of infectious disease outbreaks (e.g. food borne illness, Legionnaires disease, lead poisoning, Q fever, meningococcal disease), infection control auditing, mosquito and vector control, implementing tobacco control initiatives, working with Indigenous communities, policy development, health promotion, and prosecutions for breaches of health and environmental legislation.

Graduates of this program have an opportunity to gain employment with local councils or state government departments, with positions also available with Commonwealth Government agencies, including the Australian Defence Force. There are an increasing number of private sector positions being created particularly in the areas of environmental and food safety auditing and management. There are also employment opportunities in other countries, such as the UK, USA and Canada, as well as in developing countries. Graduates are well prepared to compete for, and effectively perform, in a wide range of roles and responsibilities.

Careers and outcomes

Practitioners working in the field of environmental health are involved in promoting healthy environments and managing environmental factors that affect human health. These may include: environmental degradation, climate change, contaminated food and water, waste management, disaster management, dangerous goods and chemicals, and drug safety management.

Leading industry professionals are contributors to the development and ongoing sustainment of our programs. They provide insight into emerging trends and are regular guest lecturers and presenters in many of the environmental health subject areas.

Many graduates find employment as an environmental health officer (EHO). Their role may include: auditing of food safety and standards, environmental (e.g. air, water, noise) monitoring, investigations of environmental health complaints/issues, investigation of infectious disease outbreaks (e.g. food borne illness, Legionnaires disease, lead poisoning, Q fever, meningococcal disease), infection control auditing, mosquito and vector control, implementing tobacco control initiatives, working with Indigenous communities, policy development, health promotion, and prosecutions for breaches of health and environmental legislation.

Graduates of this program gain employment with local councils or state government departments, with positions also available with Commonwealth Government agencies, including the Australian Defence Force. There are an increasing number of private sector positions being created particularly in the areas of environmental and food safety auditing/management. There are also employment opportunities in other countries, such as the UK, USA and Canada, as well as in developing countries. Graduates are well prepared to compete for, and effectively perform, in a wide range of roles and responsibilities.

Professional recognition

This course was the first postgraduate course to be accredited with Environmental Health Australia and graduates are eligible to practice as environmental health officers.

Course articulation

The Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health articulates into the Master of Health, Safety and Environment.