2027 Course information is now available. View 2027 course information
Overview (2026)
Key Information
Duration
Minimum 1 Year, up to a maximum of 3 years.
Location
Duration
Minimum 1 year, up to a maximum of 3 years.
Location
The Graduate Certificate in Health Protection develops professional competencies essential for the effective surveillance and response to public health incidents both in Australia and globally. This program equips you with the skills required to investigate and respond to outbreaks of communicable diseases and environmental health risks.
You will gain a comprehensive understanding of environmental health concepts, the epidemiology of communicable diseases, core communicable disease control principles, the objectives of public health surveillance systems, and the legislation and regulation in place to manage public health risks.
Developed in close collaboration with Public Health Services, Department of Health Tasmania, this course ensures that graduates are practice-ready and have strong connections with practitioners, employers, and systems addressing health protection.
The Graduate Certificate in Health Protection is delivered online, incorporating real-world examples and practical assessments. Active discussion boards and online tutorials will support your learning, creating an engaging online environment. Practical, applicable topics and experienced lecturers with contemporary knowledge of health protection practices enhance the learning experience.
Health partner scholarships
To help you advance your career, generous scholarships are available to employees of our valued industry partners. Search for your employer, speak to your workplace, or contact us on 13 8827 to find out more.
- 1 Demonstrate knowledge and skills to function in, contemporary health protection practice.
- 2 Apply microbiological processes and principles to prevent and control the spread of infection.
- 3 Analyse information on environmental hazards to assess potential health impacts and relative risk.
- 4 Demonstrate skills to respond to public health outbreaks and incidents using a systematic approach.
- 5 Interpret, analyse and evaluate surveillance data to inform health protection practice.
Career outcomes
This course has been designed to facilitate contemporary health protection practices for those working across the surge workforce in a range of areas and abilities. On completion of the course, you will be armed with the knowledge to effectively assist in surge capacity environments. This extends across the health profession, from allied health, general practitioners and nurses through to executive management and leadership groups. The number of Health Professionals is projected to grow by 26.6% by 2034*.
As a graduate of the Graduate Certificate in Health Protection, you will have demonstrated professional competencies in health protection practice with specific application to public health incidents relating to communicable diseases and environmental health. This course is relevant to people working within local, state, national or international government, hospital staff, residential care staff, non-government agencies, and emergency response workers.
You will also be supported to continue study in the Master of Public Health.
*National Skills Commission ten year projections from May 2024-May 2034.
Course structure
This unit will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary environmental health concepts and examine the environmental and ecological determinants of health within the framework of national and international policy. Through this unit you will acquire valuable insights into…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 |  |  |  | |
| Online | Semester 1 |  | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Communicable Disease Epidemiology will explore communicable diseases of humans from an epidemiological perspective. It will provide an introductory overview of the basic biological knowledge needed to understand the interactions within and between populations of microbes, human and other animals. Students…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | | | | |
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
View all details for CAM626 Communicable Disease Epidemiology
This unit provides essential background on the different types of surveillance systems used in public health, and the strengths and limitations of the data held within those systems. Students will learn the skills and knowledge required to perform descriptive analyses…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
In this Unit, you will develop the skills and knowledge needed to respond to communicable disease outbreaks and other public health incidents. You will follow the ten steps of outbreak investigation using real-life outbreak examples and complete authentic assessment tasks…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | | | | |
- Key:
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Entry requirements
Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Health Protection requires
- A relevant undergraduate degree at AQF7 level in fields such as health sciences, medicine, nursing, science, psychology, social sciences, health professions and health services management,
- OR Equivalent relevant industry experience.
Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Health Protection requires
- A relevant undergraduate degree at AQF7 level in fields such as health sciences, medicine, nursing, science, psychology, social sciences, health professions and health services management, and
- English Language: IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5)
Applications for credit can be made in your course application. Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Health Protection may receive full (50 credit points) of credit into the Master of Public Health.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available for this course. For eligible domestic students, 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.
Commonwealth Supported Place indicative annual fee: $4,656.00
How is this calculated?
This is an estimate. The calculation is based on the average full-time enrolment for this course in 2025. All figures are indicative only for 2026. Actual tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.
These figures do not include other costs such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). For further information, please visit Scholarships, fees and costs.
HECS-HELP loans
You may 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 on student loans and a CSP eligibility checker can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.
International students
2026 annual international student tuition fee: $8,475 AUD
The standard year of study for this course is 50 credit points.
Indicative total tuition fee for international students: $ 8,475 AUD.
This total tuition fee is indicative only. Please visit fees and costs for further information on how this is calculated.
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Domestic scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
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