Diploma of Health Science

The Diploma of Health Science at Eynesbury is a two-year qualification that sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). It gives you a structured introduction to health and public health, with the kind of grounding that lets you either move into the second year of a related bachelor degree or step into entry-level work in the health sector. You'll study units of study, the standard building blocks of Australian qualifications, each carrying credit points that count towards the diploma and, if you articulate, towards a degree. The course is delivered in semesters or trimesters, depending on the intake you choose, so you can start at more than one point in the year.

What you actually study

The diploma covers the basics of health science: human biology, health and illness in populations, introductory epidemiology, health communication, and the social and environmental factors that shape health outcomes. You'll also build academic skills, writing, research, referencing, because these are what carry you through further study. Assessment is a mix of exams, written assignments, group projects and practical work. The exact unit list and sequence are set by Eynesbury and published in the course handbook, so check the official page for the current structure.

How it's structured

Australian diplomas are typically made up of a set number of units, each worth a fixed number of credit points, and you need to pass all of them to graduate. This one runs over two years full time, which is longer than a standard one-year diploma, it's built as a pathway, so the pace is designed to bring you up to speed rather than rush you. There's no separate honours year at diploma level; honours is an add-on to a bachelor degree. If you continue to a bachelor, you may receive credit for the units you've completed, which shortens the degree. Credit arrangements vary between universities, so confirm them with the institution you plan to progress to.

Skills and who it suits

You'll come out able to read and interpret health data, explain public health concepts clearly, work in a team on health projects, and write in a way that meets academic and professional standards. The diploma suits school leavers who want a supported start to health study, people changing careers into health or community services, and international students who need to build English and academic skills before a degree. It's also a sensible option if you're not yet sure whether you want to specialise in nursing, public health, allied health or health administration, you get a taste of the field before committing to a full degree.

Practical matters for international students

English requirements are set by Eynesbury. International applicants need to show proficiency, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for undergraduate and coursework postgraduate entry, with higher scores (7.0–7.5) for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the institution's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs also sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. If you hold a Student visa, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available, depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 118452C, check there and on the official Eynesbury page for the current figures and intake dates.

• Health promotion assistant
• Community health worker
• Public health support officer
• Health administration officer
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker (with relevant community and cultural training)
• Research assistant in health or medical research
• Patient services officer in hospitals and clinics
• Support worker in aged care, disability or community services

These roles sit across state and territory health departments, community health organisations, hospitals, aged care providers, not-for-profits, and health research institutes. Many graduates use the diploma as a pathway into a bachelor degree in public health, nursing, health science or allied health.