Diploma of Work Health and Safety Course

Course Units of Competency

To achieve the BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety, students must successfully complete 10 carefully selected units of competency. These units are specifically structured to give you the advanced skills needed to navigate and enforce modern compliance frameworks, including the Queensland Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the recent Work Health and  Safety Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 amendments.

Your coursework will cover the following essential WHS units:

• BSBWHS512 Contribute to managing work-related psychological health and safety
• BSBWHS513 Lead WHS risk management
• BSBWHS514 Manage WHS compliance of contractors
• BSBWHS515 Lead initial response to and investigate WHS incidents
• BSBWHS516 Contribute to developing, implementing and maintaining an organisation’s WHS management system
• BSBWHS519 Lead the development and use of WHS risk management tools
• BSBWHS520 Manage implementation of emergency procedures*
• BSBWHS522 Manage WHS consultation and participation processes
• BSBWHS417 Assist with managing WHS implications of return to work*
• BSBWHS419 Contribute to implementing WHS monitoring processes*

Fast-Track Your Diploma: Have you already completed the BSB41415 or BSB41419 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety through OHSA? If so, you have already completed the three elective units marked with an asterisk (*). This means you only need to complete 7 units to be awarded your Diploma!

All learning activities and assessment tasks are strictly mapped against these units, ensuring you graduate with practical, ready-to-use skills in hazard identification, incident investigation, and WHS management systems.

BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety

This course provides students with an advanced safety qualification, enabling graduates to successfully fulfil the role of a WHS Officer, Supervisor, or Manager in an organisation.

This qualification is ideal for professionals who coordinate and maintain an organisation’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) program. It perfectly reflects the role of practitioners who must apply a substantial knowledge base and well-developed skills across a wide variety of complex WHS contexts. When you study with OHSA, you will be taught by real WHS Professionals who bring a wealth of current, real-life experience across a broad range of industry sectors.

Ultimately, this course will help you take the next step in your career—whether you are upskilling in your current workplace or securing a valuable qualification to pursue an alternative career path.

MASTER QUEENSLAND WHS LAWS AND COMPLIANCE

Safety legislation is constantly evolving. This diploma goes beyond basic safety concepts by deeply integrating the principles of the Queensland Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the latest updates from the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (WHSOLA). You will graduate with the practical expertise to implement robust risk management processes, ensure your organisation meets all regulatory obligations, and champion enhanced worker consultation strategies.

FLEXIBLE DELIVERY OPTIONS

We understand that you are balancing career and study. That is why our BSB51319 Diploma is offered in formats designed to suit your lifestyle:

• Blended Face-to-Face Intensive: Delivered in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, or via corporate in-house training. This intensive study mode includes an initial five (5) day classroom-based component, followed by additional post-course reading and assessment submissions to absorb the content through self-study.
• Online Delivery: Prefer to study at your own pace? Our online option lets you access learning materials and complete the course remotely, without attending the 5-day intensive workshop.

TIME COMMITMENT AND STUDY GUIDE

A Diploma-level qualification is comprehensive and is expected to take students approximately 1200 – 2000 hours to complete in total. This consists of your initial learning (such as the 5-day classroom intensive or online modules) combined with substantial individual reading, research, and assessment tasks.

• All students must complete this course within 18 months of enrolment.

Please note that this timeframe will vary from student to student based on the number of units you need to complete (if you already hold core units from your Certificate IV), as well as your existing WHS experience and current legislative knowledge.

To assist you in planning your study schedule, here is a helpful completion guide based on an average commitment of 1600 hours of independent study:

~20 hours/week = 1.5 years (18 months) to complete
~30 hours/week = 1 year to complete
~60 hours/week = 6 months to complete (Requires intensive, full-time study)

ONGOING SUPPORT & RPL

• Qualified trainers, comprehensive learning materials, and dedicated telephone and email support are provided to support you throughout your studies.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): For those interested in exploring RPL, please contact our office. We will need to see substantial workplace evidence to map to the units of competency. An extra administration fee may be payable for this mapping process.
• IMPORTANT PRICING & PAYMENT NOTE
• Individual Students: The Face-to-Face Diploma Course fee of $1,950 is paid in two (2) separate instalments: $1,500 upfront prior to commencement, and the remaining $450 upon completion of the course attendance.
• Employers: An employer may pay the full fee of $1,950 upfront. Please contact our office directly to arrange this upfront corporate payment.

Who is this Course For?

The BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety is designed specifically for dedicated professionals who are ready to step into senior safety roles and take charge of an organisation’s WHS programs.

Whether you are currently a Safety Officer looking to formally upgrade your credentials or a supervisor aiming to transition into dedicated WHS management, this qualification will give you the authoritative knowledge and practical tools to succeed.

To ensure you are adequately prepared for the demands of this advanced, intensive course, we highly recommend that prospective students possess the following attributes:

• Practical Industry Experience: You should have existing experience working in a Work Health and Safety (WHS) role, coupled with a strong desire to elevate your skills and career trajectory.
• Complex Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to confidently research, evaluate, and present solutions for a variety of complex safety tasks and risk management scenarios.
• Strong Computer Literacy: Essential for navigating our online learning portal, conducting legislative research, and drafting professional WHS management systems and reports.
• Excellent Time Management: Effective organisational skills are crucial to balancing your current work commitments with the 1200–2000 hours of required study (whether via our blended intensive or online pathways).

What You Will Learn

The BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety is intensely practical, focusing on the real-world application of advanced safety principles. Throughout the program, you will develop the strategic capabilities needed to oversee, audit, and improve safety frameworks within any organisation.

Specifically, the course content will teach you how to confidently:

• Contribute to managing work-related psychological health and safety (a critical focus area under modern QLD WHS legislation)
• Manage effective WHS consultation and participation processes
• Contribute to the systematic management of WHS risks
• Manage complex WHS risks across various operational environments
• Investigate WHS incidents and lead initial emergency responses
• Contribute to developing, implementing, and maintaining an organisation’s WHS management systems
• Manage rehabilitation and return-to-work programs
• Contribute to implementing emergency procedures
• Contribute to work-related Health and Safety measures and initiatives

SELF-PACED LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT

Whether you are completing the 5-day blended intensive or studying entirely via our online option, all learner activities and assessment tasks have been meticulously mapped against the units of competence.

Course Requirements & Prerequisites

Because the BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety is an advanced qualification designed for leadership roles, there are strict entry requirements that all applicants must meet prior to enrolment.

To successfully enrol and undertake this course (whether via our 5-day blended intensive or online delivery), you must satisfy the following conditions:

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION PREREQUISITES

As per government requirements, all students must hold the 5 core units from either the BSB41419 or BSB41415 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety. (If you completed your Certificate IV through OHSA, you will already meet this requirement.)

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE & WORKPLACE ACCESS

• Safety Experience: Due to the advanced nature of the course, it is highly recommended that students have worked in a safety role prior to undertaking this course.

LANGUAGE, LITERACY, AND TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

• LLN Proficiency: Participants must possess sufficient English literacy and numeracy skills to effectively read, interpret, and understand complex workplace safety instructions, QLD legislation, and incident reports, skills suitable for diploma-level study.
• Computer Skills: Basic word-processing skills and the ability to confidently access and research online resources are required.
• Equipment: You are required to have access to an internet-enabled laptop to participate in the course (this is mandatory to bring with you if attending the face-to-face classroom sessions).

ELIGIBILITY & VISA STATUS

• Age Requirement: Participants must be 18 years or older to enrol in any of our nationally accredited safety training programs. OHSA does not provide training for individuals under the age of 18.
• Visa Status: Students must not be on a student visa or be the partner of someone on a student visa.

FITNESS TO STUDY & DECLARATIONS

• Assessment Declaration: All students will be required to sign a declaration confirming that they completed all assessment tasks entirely themselves.
• Impairment Policy: Safety starts in the classroom. No student will be permitted to undertake the course or any session if they are impaired. This includes being under the influence of alcohol, illegal/illicit substances, or experiencing impairment from prescribed medication, or severe fatigue.

Payment Reminder: For individual students, the blended Face-to-Face Diploma Course fee of $1,950 is payable in two stages ($1,500 upfront, and $450 upon completion of the course attendance). Employers arranging corporate training may pay the full $1,950 upfront by contacting our office.

• What are the prerequisites for the BSB51319 Diploma of WHS? To enrol in the Diploma, it is a mandatory government requirement that you already hold the 5 core units from either the BSB41419 or BSB41415 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety. You must also have practical experience working in a safety role, specifically involving the development and review of safety systems.
• Can I study the Diploma of WHS completely online? Yes! OHSA offers highly flexible delivery options. You can choose to complete the qualification online at your own pace, or opt for our blended intensive delivery, which includes 5 days of face-to-face classroom training in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, or via corporate in-house delivery, followed by self-paced online study.
• How long does the course take to complete? The course is designed to take approximately 1200 – 2000 hours in total. You have up to 18 months from the date of enrolment to complete all requirements. As a general guide for your self-paced study:

~20 hours/week = 1.5 years (18 months) to complete
~30 hours/week = 1 year to complete
~60 hours/week = 6 months to complete (Requires intensive, full-time study)

• How much does the course cost, and how does payment work? The total cost for the BSB51319 Diploma of Work Health and Safety is $1,950.

– For individual students: Payment is split. You pay $1,500 upfront before commencing, and the remaining $450 upon completion of your course attendance.
– For employers: Companies sponsoring a worker can arrange to pay the full $1,950 upfront by contacting our office.

• I completed my Certificate IV in WHS with OHSA. Do I need to complete all 10 units? If you successfully completed your BSB41415 or BSB41419 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety directly through OHSA, great news! You will have already completed three of the required elective units. This means you will only need to complete 7 units to be awarded your Diploma.
• Are international students eligible to enrol? International students can enrol if they aren’t on a student visa. Additionally, all applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Does this course cover the latest Queensland WHS laws? Absolutely. As a Queensland-based provider, our training is deeply integrated with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the recent Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (WHSOLA). You will learn to navigate the most current compliance frameworks, codes of practice, and risk management strategies required by WorkSafe QLD.
• What career outcomes can I expect after graduating? Graduates of the BSB51319 Diploma are equipped to take on senior safety leadership roles. Common career outcomes include becoming a WHS Manager, WHS Supervisor, Senior Safety Officer, or WHS Coordinator. It is the ideal qualification for those looking to coordinate and maintain an organisation’s entire safety program.
• Can I apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)? Yes, RPL is available for highly experienced safety professionals. You will be required to submit a substantial portfolio of workplace evidence to map against the strict requirements of each unit of competency. Please contact our office to enquire about the RPL process (note that an additional administration fee may apply for evidence mapping).