Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support (Z2H)

Overview  2024

Entry Requirements

See entry requirements

Duration

Minimum 2 Years, up to a maximum of 5 Years

Duration

Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Hobart
Semester 1
Launceston
Semester 1
Cradle Coast
Semester 1
Online
Semester 1

This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students

Working with people, you’ll have a real impact on people’s daily lives, with meaningful and fulfilling work. By studying the Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support you’ll gain a practical qualification that will set you up in a rewarding career for life.

This course has been designed to help you start or accelerate your career in the health and community services sector. You will learn the knowledge and skills required to support the delivery of quality health and community services. You’ll also learn essential skills for career advancement such as leadership, management and communication. Developed in consultation with the health and community service sectors, this course will address significant changes in service models and consumer expectation. This course has also been developed to meet the projected increases in role complexity and workforce demands in these sectors.

This course is suited to school leavers pursuing a career in the health, social or community service sectors or those seeking an alternative career choice in health and community services. Individuals with vocational qualifications or relevant experience may undertake the course to upskill into roles with additional functional requirements and higher levels of responsibility, and/or to acquire a formal University qualification.

The Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support has a focus on applied learning opportunities including working with sector leaders, service consumers, organisations, individuals and communities.

Delivered through on-line learning, flexible tutorials, face-to-face workshops, authentic case studies, individual and community projects, the program is available for full-time and part-time students across all campuses in Tasmania. Sector experts and service consumers will be actively involved in the development and delivery of the program to ensure that it remains relevant and up-to-date. The development of a professional portfolio over the duration of the course will enable graduates to reflect upon their learning and provide evidence of their capabilities for potential career opportunities.

On completion of an Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support, graduates are provided with:

  • an entry point to a career in the health, social and community service sectors;
  • an opportunity to accelerate progression within a current job;
  • an opportunity for promotion to a new role;
  • an opportunity to open up a new career path; or
  • articulation into further study at the University of Tasmania.

Key contacts

Current student enrolment questions and advice UConnect
Course CoordinatorDr Carolyn King

The Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support aims to draw upon the established principles and values of primary health care, human rights frameworks and community advancement. Using strength-based approaches such as reablement, recovery, community engagement and codesign, applied through case management and care coordination models, graduates will be able to work with individuals, families and communities to optimise and advocate for supportive partnerships and quality, evidence-based outcomes.

Furthermore, the course will bring together the vocational streams of health, community and social services, equipping graduates with the capacity to relate biological, sociological, cultural, environmental and lifestyle factors to health and wellbeing.

  • 1 Engage in strength-based collaborations with individuals, families, service providers and communities to promote positive health and wellbeing outcomes.
  • 2 Explain and apply health, wellbeing and cultural awareness principles and practices when working with diverse groups, organisations and contexts.
  • 3 Evaluate and communicate evidence and data to inform service planning, delivery and improvement.
  • 4 Use reflection, communication, leadership and problem-solving skills to guide planning and decision-making.
  • 5 Analyse and apply service structures, standards, innovations and technologies for sustainability and continuous quality improvement.
  • Year 1

    Students are exposed to authentic and engaged learning experiences designed to develop their understanding of work and the workplace. In the first year of study, students are introduced to:

    • Different methods of and approaches to practice;
    • How issues such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership are reflected in the workplace;
    • The role of reflection and deliberative thinking in developing workplace-based knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations.

    Students develop personal responsibility for and autonomy in developing their portfolio of practice (known as a Practice Manual). This is reflected in educational plans developed in consultation with their Academic Coaches and based on a method or approach to practice from, for example projects, data-driven decision making, case studies, field work, simulated environments, design thinking etc.

    Year 2

    The second year of study builds on concepts of learning through practice from the diploma by introducing students to more complex learning experiences. Students will be introduced to discipline-based skills and knowledge in dynamic practice situations, including:

    • Authentic and purposeful, industry-related experiences
    • Concepts of managing effective relationships and communicating with others
    • The development and use of adaptive leadership skills and how these skills relate to innovative and entrepreneurial practice
    • The nature of responsible, accountable and reflective workplace skills
    • Creative and critical thinking relevant to para-professional practice.

    Students will exercise self-awareness, initiative and judgement to manage yourself and professional relationships effectively. The application of tacit knowledge and capabilities will be reflected in a Practice Manual.

    Become a Student Ambassador

    Improve your communication, teamwork and leadership skills, meet new people, inspire and help others, and developing lasting friendships and networks as a student ambassador. Our ambassadors proudly represent the University throughout Tasmania in schools, at University and community events, and support a range of recruitment and engagement activities. Though the Student Ambassador Program or STEM Outreach Team you will have many opportunities for training and professional development, experience in real-world community engagement and outreach, networking, and public speaking, plus end up with a key point of distinction on your CV.

    This course has an applied learning focus including engagement with sector leaders, service consumers, organisation, individuals and communities. Throughout this course, you will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of applied learning experiences, including work-integrated learning, simulated work conditions and case studies. In doing so, you will develop work-ready skills, as well as an e-portfolio for future career planning.

    Career outcomes

    Graduation from the Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support can provide an entry opportunity for those who are interested in a career in the health and community service sectors with or without prior experience. It will also provide an opportunity to accelerate progression and/or promotion within a graduate’s current organisation, or open up new career paths and opportunities.

    Potential career opportunities exist in the voluntary, private, not-for-profit, non-government and/or government sectors in health and community services. Roles include team leaders, coordinators, supervisors, service managers, coaches, service navigators and community development/engagement officers.

    Opportunities also exist for graduates to work in direct service roles such as physical health workers, rural health workers and mental health workers or to become service brokers, service planners, project managers, project officers, consultants and administrators, or to pursue roles in occupational, corporate or community health and wellbeing.

    Electives offered within this degree provide opportunities for further knowledge expansion and skills development in health, business and/or community development.

    Course structure

    The Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support comprises 16 x 12.5 credit point units:

    - 8 x core units, 4 x stream units, and 4 x elective units.

    This unit will explore diversity in the context of individuals, their unique lives, needs and networks of support. You will use self-awareness to reflect upon your own values, beliefs and self-care needs, and that of others, in order to broaden…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 1
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    In this unit, you will consider how individuals, families, and communities understand and experience health and wellbeing. Barriers and enablers of health and wellbeing will be explored, with emphasis placed on vulnerable, marginalised and isolated population groups. You will examine…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1
    Cradle CoastSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    In this unit, you will explore and compare different models of service design, articulation and delivery and how they influence health and wellbeing outcomes for diverse population groups. With a focus on rights, self-determination and strengths-based approaches, you will investigate…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1
    Cradle CoastSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Choose one (1) of the following units:

    In this unit, you will be introduced to the principles of primary health, preventative health and health promotion and how they inform the design and delivery of support. You will develop an understanding of case management, care coordination, service navigation…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1
    Cradle CoastSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit provides you with opportunities to develop various work-ready, transferable, and professional skills and attributes that are highly sought by employers. In addition, it allows you to explore contemporary strategies and approaches that are often used in day-to-day employment…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    OnlineSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit will explore strategies to strengthen the capacity of individuals, families and groups to actively participate, contribute and engage in the health and wellbeing of their communities. This unit will build the knowledge and skills needed to coordinate services,…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1
    Cradle CoastSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit focuses on building both personal and professional resilience for responding to change and uncertainty. Maintaining sustainable services and supports for individuals, families and communities requires people and organisations to work within increasingly complex and uncertain environments. This unit…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    In this unit, you will draw from the knowledge, skills and attributes required to respond to simulated practice scenarios and contexts in health and community services. You will reflect upon your personal and professional strengths and use these to build…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit will explore how different cultural understandings and models influence and shape how we interpret the world around us, perceive ourselves and relate to other people. You will build your cultural capability (knowledge, skills and attitudes) in health and…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1
    Cradle CoastSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit will introduce you to the way in which health and community services are organised, integrated, funded and governed in Australia. This unit is contextualised to reforms in Australia's health and community services system, emphasising a shift in focus…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit will introduce you to the quality, safety and regulatory systems that govern service delivery, reporting and accreditation. Principles, policies, standards and guidelines will be considered in the context of the individual, the consumer and the organisation. A cycle…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    This unit will examine the foundations of mental health for individuals, families and communities. It will use a bio-psycho-social approach, to critically examine the personal experiences of, and service responses to, mental health challenges. Practice outcomes will emphasise active engagement…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 1
    LauncestonSemester 1
    Cradle CoastSemester 1
    OnlineSemester 1

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    Support services, both mainstream and specialised, are adopting contemporary disability practices to enable self-determination, choice and control by people with disability. This unit examines these concepts in both a historical context and in relation to the Disability Royal Commission and…

    Credit Points: 12.5

    LocationStudy periodAttendance optionsAvailable to
    HobartSemester 2
    LauncestonSemester 2
    Cradle CoastSemester 2
    OnlineSemester 2

    Key: On-campus    Off-Campus    International students    Domestic students

    We want your study experience with us to be as smooth as possible and we know that choosing from lists and lists of electives can sometimes be overwhelming!

    The guides and links below are presented to help you navigate all of these options and find the electives that are best for you.

    Find the answer to your question - ASK US

    What are electives?

    How do I enrol?

    My enrolment in the Student Portal

    Please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team at UConnect if you need any help.

    Your electives can be used to add breadth to your degree, by exploring a variety of different subject areas from across the University in areas such as Health, Business, Science and the Creative Arts. Alternatively, you can deepen your engagement with specific subject areas, for example, by completing additional units in the same discipline as your major or related fields. You can also use this space to complete an optional 2nd major which may be a 2nd major from your current course or a major from another course*. Please contact U.Connect@utas.edu.au if you need more information or if you want to add a 2nd major to your study plan. *Some exclusions apply. Not all majors can be taken by students in different courses.

    Entry requirements

    We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option. 

    Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study at UTAS.

    Domestic applicants who recently completed secondary education (in the past two years)

    This course does not use ATAR as part of the admission process. To be an eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or an equivalent qualification.

    Domestic applicants with higher education study

    To be eligible for an offer, you must have:

    • Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). You must have completed at least one unit of study (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points), at 100 level or higher and which may include 100 level units completed in the UTAS Diploma of University Studies. If you have failed any units, your application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; OR
    • Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).

    Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study

    To be eligible for an offer, you must have completed a Certificate III or higher (or equivalent) in any discipline.

    Applications on the basis of work or life experience

    Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.

    Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.

    This course is not available to international students. Please enquire online for advice on alternative course options.

    Passes in units in other incomplete courses in this University or another approved tertiary institution may be credited towards the associate degree and a course plan developed to detail the units required by the student to qualify for the associate degree. 

    Students articulating into the Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support from a completed Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Health will receive 50 credit points of advanced standing. Articulation from other courses will be in line with the University’s standard application for credit process. Students wishing to articulate from the Associate Degree in Applied Health and Community Support into a University of Tasmania Bachelor course may be eligible for credit, subject to the receiving College's discretion.

    Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.

    Fees & scholarships

    Domestic students

    Options for this course

    Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.

    If you’re a domestic student, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.

    You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.

    Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.

    Student contribution

    Student contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.

    Further information

    Detailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

    Scholarships

    For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.

    How can we help?

    Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.

    Domestic
    13 8827 (13 UTAS)
    International
    +61 3 6226 6200
    Email
    Course.Info@utas.edu.au
    Online
    Online enquiries

    Next steps