Associate Degree in Health Studies

The Associate Degree in Health Studies is a two-year qualification for students who want a grounding in health sciences before moving into a bachelor degree or into work in the health sector. It's an AQF Level 6 award, which sits between a diploma and a bachelor degree. In practice, that means you cover much of the first two years of a health-related bachelor programme, but you finish with a standalone qualification.

What you study

You'll take units across the core health sciences, anatomy, physiology, human biology, psychology, public health and health communication are the usual building blocks, and you'll learn how health systems in Australia work, from Medicare and primary care through to hospitals and community services. Assessment is a mix of exams, written assignments, laboratory work and group projects. The degree is delivered in semesters, with full-time students typically enrolling in four units per semester and part-time study available. Each unit carries credit points, and those credit points are what let you apply for credit if you later move into a bachelor degree, often with a full year or more recognised.

Skills you gain

By the end, you can read and interpret health research, explain physiological processes in plain language, understand the social determinants of health, and communicate effectively with patients, clients and colleagues. You'll also build the academic writing and referencing skills that carry across to further study.

Who it suits

This degree suits school leavers who didn't get the ATAR they needed for a bachelor in nursing, allied health or health science, and mature-age students returning to study. It also works for people already working in health administration, aged care or disability support who want a formal qualification and a pathway into a bachelor degree. If you're aiming for a clinical role, check the admission requirements for the bachelor programme you want to enter, because some, nursing and medicine especially, have specific prerequisites and higher English requirements.

English proficiency is required for international applicants. IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard, rising to 7.0–7.5 for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself.

International students on a Student visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream lets eligible graduates stay and work in Australia. Check the official CRICOS listing and the university's course page for the current tuition amount, intake dates, unit details and English requirements, since these can change.

• Health services assistant, public and private hospitals, aged care providers, community health organisations
• Allied health assistant, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology clinics
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and regional health services
• Health promotion officer, local councils, state health departments, non-government organisations
• Pathway to further study, bachelor degrees in nursing, paramedicine, health science, public health and allied health, with credit for completed units
• Community services and disability support, NDIS providers, mental health services, youth health programmes