Students

Public Health

Below are details about the field of study you have chosen to explore, as well as some potential careers.

Overview

The study of the principles and practices of protecting, promoting, maintaining and restoring the health of the community. The main purpose of this narrow field of education is to develop an understanding of the goals of public health including the promotion of health and the prevention of disease, premature death and disease-induced discomfort and disability in the population. It also involves developing an understanding of environmental factors affecting health.

Course skills

Public Health develops skills in:

  • advising on measures to reduce injury and disease
  • educating the community on health risks, safety procedures and techniques
  • evaluating, observing and recognising factors that may cause illness in the workplace and the community.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Careers

Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals

Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals develop, implement and evaluate policies and programs to monitor environmental health and occupational health and safety and related legislation to ensure safe and healthy working conditions, and assist injured staff through the workers' compensation and rehabilitation process.

Other Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals

Other Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals include Health Promotion Officer and Orthotist or Prosthetist occupations.

Safety Inspectors

Safety Inspectors inspect machines, equipment, working conditions and public places to ensure compliance with government and industry standards and regulations, in relation to occupational health and safety.