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Diploma of Sustainable Living (Z1K)

Overview Career outcomes Course structure Entry requirements Fees & scholarships
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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.

This course is available to study as both part-time or full-time
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

Online
Semester 1, Semester 2, Spring

Beth Rad
Diploma of Sustainable Living graduate

After a transformative 12-month adventure exploring Australia, Beth was moved by the dire conditions communities were enduring as a result of unpredictable weather patterns. Determined to take action, Beth found her inspiration and enrolled in the Diploma of Sustainable Living.

The climate is changing, and we all have a role to play in creating a more sustainable future.

For individuals who are passionate about creating a more sustainable future, the Diploma of Sustainable Living provides a comprehensive and practical education in sustainable practices. This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to understand the complex challenges facing our planet, and to develop innovative solutions that you can apply in your home, community, business or social enterprise.

The Diploma of Sustainable Living will help you learn about sustainability on a local, national and international level, and align your studies with what sustainable living means for you.

Upon graduation, you’ll have a better understanding of your connection to sustainability as an individual, consumer and citizen. Learn to make a positive impact in a wide range of fields, from business and government to community development and environmental advocacy. Join us and become a leader in the movement towards a more sustainable world.

Study without tuition fees in 2026

For domestic students, the Diploma of Sustainable Living is offered with 100% tuition fee scholarship for students commencing in 2026. This means you pay NO tuition fees!

Watch our course information webinar

Thinking of studying this course and want to learn more? This webinar explores course structures, career opportunities, and the student experience to support your study journey.

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  • 1 Identify opportunities to contribute to sustainable living by reflecting on the choices you make in your life.
  • 2 Design practical pathways of transformative change for sustainable living
  • 3 Explain the impact your day-to-day activities and decisions have on contributing to the global agenda of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • 4 Explain the contribution of disciplinary knowledge of environments, people or societies to sustainable living

The practical experiences of this Diploma are what you make it through your choice of units, and as you take your sustainable living knowledge out into the world and make a difference.

While the Diploma of Sustainable Living is offered 100% online, depending on what you choose to study you could be:

  • growing a bigger, healthier and more productive garden thanks to your understanding of the Science of Gardening,
  • using the principles of Sustainable Design for Houses to inform your house renovations with a focus on improving impact on the environment and your health,
  • Helping maintain a healthy local ecosystem through your own Backyard Biodiversity,
  • Engaging in your community, exploring your local environment, and much more!

Work Integrated Learning

Tasmania is a place filled with creativity, industry, nature, and adventure. Because we’re the only university in the state, you get close access to the industry leaders, artists, and deep thinkers who are shaping our island. That means learning alongside the very best so you can hone your job skills for a successful career.

Whatever you’re passionate about, we’ll give you a hands-on education and an unforgettable adventure with our work integrated learning opportunities. https://www.utas.edu.au/study/work-integrated-learning

Career outcomes

As a graduate of the Diploma of Sustainable Living you will possess new skills, outlooks on living, and a deeper understanding of sustainability in an ever changing world which will complement your existing career direction.

Where to from here? Further study options for those interested in sustainability.

Completing a Diploma in Sustainable Living and looking for your next step? Develop the skills to build a better future and continue your passion for sustainability with further study in one of these suggested courses:

Bachelor of Arts

  • Major or elective units in Geography and Environment

Bachelor of Business

  • Major in Tourism Management, and include a second major or elective units in Geography and Environment

Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation

  • Major in Natural Environment Management

Bachelor of Science

  • Major in Sustainability

Bachelor of Architecture and Built Environments

  • Core units provide a grounding in sustainable and ethical practice

Course structure

The Diploma of Sustainable Living comprises 8 units, made up of 2 core and six elective units.  

HEJ111 Communicating Sustainability must be among the FIRST 4 units studied and KGA107 Local Lives for a Sustainable Planet must be among the LAST 4 units studied

 

 

Entry requirements

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

Domestic Applicants who have recently completed secondary education
Completed the TCE (or equivalent)

Domestic Applicants with higher education study
Completed at least one undergraduate unit (equivalent to 12.5 UTAS credit points).

Domestic Applicants with VET / TAFE study
A completed VET Certificate III or higher,

Domestic Applicants with work and life experience
If you have not successfully completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have relevant work and life experience you can complete a personal competency statement. You may be eligible for an offer if you have work and life experiences that demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.

Prerequisites
Nil

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.


We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.

How to apply for a credit transfer

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.

Talk to us on 13 8827 or enquire online about your credit transfer.

Articulation from:  If you have completed the Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Living, you can receive advanced standing for four 12.5 credit point units of the Diploma of Sustainable Living.

Articulation to:  Graduates of the Diploma of Sustainable Living who are interested in ongoing study can pursue a major in Sustainability under P3O Bachelor of Science.

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

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: $8,724

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.

Domestic scholarships

The Diploma of Sustainable Living is available with 100% HECS tuition fee and SSAF scholarship for eligible domestic students studying in 2026. This means you can have NO fees to pay.

Fee scholarship details

For domestic students studying in 2026, we are pleased to offer this degree with a 100% HECS fee and SSAF scholarship. This scholarship is not available for OUA students.

Eligibility

This scholarship is valid for students admitted and commencing this course in 2026 provided the eligibility criteria are met. If you are eligible, the HECS and SSAF scholarship will be automatically applied upon enrolment. This scholarship is valid for units offered in 2026 only.

  1. You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident (i.e. eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place [CSP]).
  2. You are enrolled in the Diploma of Sustainable Living and commence study 2026.
  3. You must be enrolled in a minimum of one unit and must remain enrolled until after the University Census Date relevant to the semester of study. If you are on an approved Leave of Absence (LOA), you are exempt from this requirement for the duration of your approved LOA.
  4. To retain this fee scholarship, you must engage with your enrolled units. If you have not engaged and receive a result of AN (Absent deemed failed) for all enrolled units in a given study period, will not retain the scholarship/discount from the following study period onward. You cannot then apply to have the scholarship/discount reinstated.
  5. Not be excluded from the course based on academic progress or misconduct.
If I'm eligible, when will my scholarship be applied?

If eligible, we will endeavour to apply your scholarship within 14 days of your enrolment, and it will be applied no later than census day of your commencing study period. This can mean that between your enrolment and the scholarship being applied, you may see the full unit cost, including SSAF, reflected in eStudent.

If you have questions about your enrolment or scholarship, please contact us at course.info@utas.edu.au.

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

Continuing students

If you are a continuing student, please contact UniConnect for fee scholarship information relevant to your enrolment.

Course year 2026

View previous years course information

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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

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