Course summary

Nursing, naturopathy, sport and exercise science, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology, biomedical science, osteopathic studies …there are so many career paths in health.

If you're uncertain about which one is right for you, our Diploma of Health can provide the clarity you need for your future as a health professional. 

Graduates can seek professional outcomes in several areas, including as allied health assistants, personal care assistants, lab assistants, and case workers. This Diploma is also an ideal pathway towards further study at Southern Cross University and provides guaranteed entry to a range of Bachelor degrees.

This course is offered through SCU College. Additional support through workshops to develop academic and study skills is available to all SCU College students.

Students select a specialisation of study to prepare them for further study in one of the following disciplines: sport and exercise science, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychological science, biomedical science, osteopathic studies, naturopathy or nursing.

If you are interested in studying online, please note the following: 

  • For all specialisations, except for Psychological Science, some units will need to be completed on-campus as they are not available online. Some units also require mandatory on-campus attendance.

Additional points to note:

  • The Biomedical Science and Osteopathic Studies specialisations are not currently offered at Coffs Harbour.
  • All specialisations are available at the Gold Coast, except for naturopathic studies which is offered in Lismore.
  • Check the individual specialisation you are interested in for more details about where the units are offered and mandatory on-campus attendance.
  • Please note duration of the Diploma of Health may vary depending on unit availabilities. Full-time and part-time duration is indicative only. This also applies if you intend to pursue Bachelor studies. It may for example, take longer than 3 years to complete both the Diploma and a linked 3-year full-time Bachelor degree depending on unit availabilities.

Nursing, naturopathy, sport and exercise science, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology, biomedical science, osteopathic studies …there are so many career paths in health.

If you're uncertain about which one is right for you, our Diploma of Health can provide the clarity you need for your future as a health professional. 

Graduates can seek professional outcomes in several areas, including as allied health assistants, personal care assistants, lab assistants, and case workers. This Diploma is also an ideal pathway towards further study at Southern Cross University and provides guaranteed entry to a range of Bachelor degrees.

This course is offered through SCU College. Additional support through workshops to develop academic and study skills is available to all SCU College students.

Students select a specialisation of study to prepare them for further study in one of the following disciplines: sport and exercise science, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychological science, biomedical science, osteopathic studies, naturopathy or nursing.

If you are interested in studying online, please note the following: 

  • For all specialisations, except for Psychological Science, some units will need to be completed on-campus as they are not available online. Some units also require mandatory on-campus attendance.

Additional points to note:

  • The Biomedical Science and Osteopathic Studies specialisations are not currently offered at Coffs Harbour.
  • All specialisations are available at the Gold Coast, except for naturopathic studies which is offered in Lismore.
  • Check the individual specialisation you are interested in for more details about where the units are offered and mandatory on-campus attendance.
  • Please note duration of the Diploma of Health may vary depending on unit availabilities. Full-time and part-time duration is indicative only. This also applies if you intend to pursue Bachelor studies. It may for example, take longer than 3 years to complete both the Diploma and a linked 3-year full-time Bachelor degree depending on unit availabilities.

Students select a specialisation of study to prepare them for further study in one of the following disciplines: nursing, sport and exercise science, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychological science, biomedical science, naturopathy or osteopathic studies.

If you are interested in studying online, please note:

  • For all specialisations except psychological science, some units must be completed on-campus as they are not available online and require mandatory attendance.

In addition:

  • The biomedical science and osteopathic studies specialisations are not currently offered at Coffs Harbour
  • All specialisations are available at the Gold Coast, except for naturopathic studies which is offered in Lismore.
  • Check the individual specialisation you are interested in for more details about where the units are offered and any mandatory on-campus attendance.

Course Learning Outcome

Exercise specialised knowledge to identify problems and contribute to their solutions in defined health settings.

Uses creative thinking and problem-solving skills to respond to challenges in defined health settings.

Apply ethical and sustainable values and practices within defined health settings.

Demonstrate specialised theoretical and technical knowledge and skills of health and social sciences within applicable paraprofessional contexts.

Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and work in defined health contexts.

Communicate information, concepts, and solutions with demonstrable academic skills and academic integrity awareness, individually and/or in a team.

Communicate with an awareness of diverse cultural perspectives within defined health contexts.

Course overview

Course code

2125150

Course abbreviation

DipH

Credit points

96

Equivalent units

8

Duration

1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Availability details

Domestic

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Coffs Harbour Session 1 N/A N/A
Gold Coast Session 1 N/A N/A
Online Session 1 N/A N/A

Fee information

Commonwealth supported

International

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold Coast Session 1 $28,800 ($3,600 per unit) 0101136

Course requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

To be eligible to receive the Diploma of Health, students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:

  • 8 units (96 credit points) from one of the following specialisations: Occupational Therapy, Podiatry and Pedorthics, Speech Pathology, Sport and Exercise Science, Biomedical Science, Osteopathic Studies, Psychological Science, Nursing, and Naturopathic Studies.

 

Requirements following completion of the Diploma:

Nursing Specialisation:

Graduates of the course in this specialisation who have an Academic IELTS 7.0, with no band less than 7.0, qualify for direct entry into the Bachelor of Nursing (BN) at Southern Cross University. To be accepted into the BN, applicants need to meet the English Language standards specified by NMBA registration standards at: https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards.aspx in order to meet the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) accreditation standards.

If you intend to enrol into the Bachelor of Nursing at Southern Cross University, you will need to study the Health Assessment unit in Session 3 and it will be necessary for you to be fully compliant for professional experience placement prior to enrolment into the degree. See the Faculty of Health professional experience page for further information.

 

Speech Pathology Specialisation:

Graduates of the course in this specialisation who have an Academic IELTS 8.0 (or equivalent), with no band less than 8.0, qualify for direct entry into the Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Southern Cross University. Up to 8 units of advanced standing is included in this pathway.

 

Other Specialisations (except for Biomedical Science and Psychological Science):

Graduates of the course in the Allied Health specialisations qualify for direct entry into the relevant Bachelor course at Southern Cross University. Up to 8 units of advanced standing is included in this pathway. However, graduates of the linked Bachelor courses must provide evidence of an IELTS score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band less than 7.0, in order to gain professional registration.

Evidence of compliance for Placement must be provided prior to any professional experience placement and some compliance requirements can take up to 4 months to fulfil. Please see the Faculty of Health professional experience page for more information.

 

Naturopathic Studies Specialisation:

Graduates of the course in the Naturopathic Studies Specialisation qualify for direct entry into the Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) at Southern Cross University. Up to 8 units of advanced standing is included in this pathway.

Schedule of units

Title Note
Please note not all units are available Online. Students should select 1 Specialisation from the following:
Note 3
Note 2
Note 2
Note 4
Note 6
Note 5
Note 1
Note 4
Note 4

Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. Assistance on how to enrol can be accessed here.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors

Notes

Note 1: This Specialisation is offered at the Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour campuses and Online.
Note 2: This Specialisation is only offered at the Gold Coast campus.
Note 3: This Specialisation is only offered at the Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour campuses. Students who are planning to follow the Indigenous Health Major in the Bachelor of OT are advised to enrol in INDG2011
Note 4: This Specialisation is offered at the Gold Coast, Lismore, and Coffs Harbour campuses.
Note 5: This Specialisation is offered at both the Gold Coast and Lismore campuses.
Note 6: This Specialisation is only offered at the Gold Coast campus. International students must enrol in this Specialisation in Session 3 only.
Note 7: This unit is only offered at the Lismore campus.