Occupational Health and Safety Officer (VIC)

State/Territory Specific Information

Education and Training:

To become an occupational health and safety officer you usually have to complete a VET qualification in occupational health and safety. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You may be able to study through distance education. Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have a degree in occupational health and safety or health science. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your VCE. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, biology, chemistry, physical education, physics and mathematics are normally required. A number of universities in Australia offer degrees in these areas. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact Open Universities Australia or the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Additional Information:

Qualifications in first aid are helpful and may be essential in some cases.

Related Courses:

While the following courses are related to this occupation, they may not necessarily lead directly to employment, nor provide the most direct pathway to the occupation. Courses which provide preliminary or informal training, as well as those which provide additional job skills following initial qualifications may also be listed.

*Course is offered by more than one institution. Click link for details.

  1. Conduct an Occupational Health and Safety Audit (PUA Unit)
  2. Contribute to Public Health Emergency Management Plan (LGA Unit)
  3. Develop Return to Work Plans (PSP Unit)
  4. Ensure Workplace Emergency Prevention Procedures, Systems and Processes are Implemented (PUA Unit)
  5. Follow Defined Occupational Health and Safety Policies and Procedures (PUA Unit)
  6. Functioning as a Workplace Health and Safety Representative
  7. Identify Types of Installed Fire Safety Equipment and Systems (CPP Unit)
  8. Identify, Prevent and Report Potential Workplace Emergency Situations (PUA Unit)
  9. Implement and Monitor Return to Work Plans (PSP Unit)
  10. Lead a Workplace Emergency Initial Response Team (PUA Unit)
  11. Lead an Emergency Control Organisation (PUA Unit) *
  12. Manage a Safe Workplace in the Security Industry (CPP Unit)
  13. Manage an Emergency Control Organisation (PUA Unit)
  14. Manage and Monitor Workplace Emergency, Procedures, Equipment and other Resources (PUA Unit)
  15. Monitor a Safe Workplace (BSB Unit) *
  16. Occupational Health and Safety Warden Training (Training Program)
  17. OHS Consultation
  18. Operate as Part of an Emergency Control Organisation (PUA Unit) *
  19. Participate as a Member of a Workplace Emergency Initial Response Team (PUA Unit)
  20. Participate in OHS Processes (BSB Unit) *
  21. Respond to Workplace Emergencies (PUA Unit)
  22. Workplace Emergency Response - Chief Warden (Training Program)
  23. Workplace Spotting for Service Assets *
  24. Certificate III in Occupational Health and Safety *
  25. Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety *
  26. Certificate IV in Public Safety - Community Safety
  27. Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety *
  28. Diploma of Public Safety - Community Safety
  29. Advanced Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety *
  30. Advanced Diploma of Public Safety - Community Safety
  31. Advanced Diploma of Public Safety - Emergency Management
  32. Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Health Sciences
  33. Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Business Administration
  34. Bachelor of Health Sciences *
  35. Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion
  36. Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion

Employment Opportunities:

Traditionally, occupational health and safety officers have been employed in the manufacturing, construction, health and minerals industries. Positions are now becoming available in management consultancies and large commercial institutions, such as banks, hospitals, insurance companies, government organisations and service-based organisations.

In large workplaces, personnel departments may employ a number of occupational health and safety officers. In small organisations, the personnel officer often combines the duties of occupational health and safety officer with other duties. Ergonomists may be employed by large organisations but can also work in research or as private consultants.

For Further Information:

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia Inc.

(02) 9680 9026
www.ergonomics.org.au

IFAP

1300 432 700
www.ifap.asn.au

Logistics Information and Navigation Centre

www.the-linc.com.au

National Safety Council of Australia (VIC)

(03) 8562 1555
www.nsca.org.au

Information for other states and territories: