UndergraduateNursing & Health Sciences
Diploma of Health
Southern Cross University, Lismore/Gold Coast/Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
About this program
Nursing, naturopathy, sport and exercise science, occupational therapy, community welfare, psychology, counselling, biomedical science, medical laboratory science, osteopathic studies … there are so many career paths in health. If you’re uncertain about which one is right for you, our Diploma of Health can provide the clarity you need for your future as a health professional. Graduates can seek professional outcomes in several areas, including as allied health assistants, personal care assistants, lab assistants, and case workers. This Diploma is also an ideal pathway towards further study at Southern Cross University and enables entry to a range of Bachelor degrees*. This course is offered through SCU College, where we understand that students have diverse experiences and ways of learning. At SCU College, we support your success through carefully designed curriculum with embedded support, and additional support material is available through self-access online resources. Students select a specialisation of study to prepare them for further study in one of the following disciplines: exercise science and exercise physiology, occupational therapy, community welfare, psychological science, biomedical science, osteopathic studies, naturopathic studies, nursing, exercise science and psychological science, medical laboratory science or counselling. If you are interested in studying online, please note the following:
Cost & duration
English test scores
Verified scu.edu.au ↗
Course structure
1 term of coursework
- Specialisations Note 1
- Occupational Therapy SpecialisationUnit CodeUnit TitleNotesEDUC1001Language and Learning in Your DisciplineOCCU1001Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Human OccupationsHBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and PhysiologyHBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and PhysiologySTAT2001Foundations of Evidence for Health Science PractitionersINDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian PeoplesOCCU2005Lifespan Development and Occupational TransitionsHLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health EDUC1001
- EDUC1001Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- OCCU1001Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Human Occupations
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- HBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
- STAT2001Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
- INDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
- OCCU2005Lifespan Development and Occupational Transitions
- HLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
- Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology SpecialisationUnit CodeUnit TitleNotesEDUC1001Language and Learning in Your DisciplineHLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health ProfessionsHBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and PhysiologyHBIO1006Growth and DevelopmentHBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and PhysiologyNUTR1001Nutrition for Health and Physical ActivityHBIO2001Musculoskeletal Functional AnatomyHLTH2002Exercise Physiology EDUC1001
- EDUC1001Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health Professions
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- HBIO1006Growth and Development
- HBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
- NUTR1001Nutrition for Health and Physical Activity
- HBIO2001Musculoskeletal Functional Anatomy
- HLTH2002Exercise Physiology
- Biomedical Science SpecialisationUnit CodeUnit TitleNotesEDUC1001Language and Learning in Your DisciplineHLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health ProfessionsHBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and PhysiologyHBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and PhysiologyCHEM1001Chemistry Note 3STAT2001Foundations of Evidence for Health Science PractitionersBIOL1006Introduction to Medical ScienceBIOL2007Biochemistry EDUC1001
- EDUC1001Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health Professions
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- HBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
- CHEM1001Chemistry
- STAT2001Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
- BIOL1006Introduction to Medical Science
- BIOL2007Biochemistry
- Osteopathic Studies SpecialisationUnit CodeUnit TitleNotesEDUC1001Language and Learning in Your DisciplineOSTP1001Osteopathic Manual Therapy 1HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and PhysiologyHLTH1006Foundations of Interprofessional Health PracticeHBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and PhysiologyOSTP2004Osteopathic Manual Therapy 2BIOL2007BiochemistryOSTP2001Osteopathic Science I EDUC1001
- EDUC1001Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- OSTP1001Osteopathic Manual Therapy 1
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- HLTH1006Foundations of Interprofessional Health Practice
- HBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
- OSTP2004Osteopathic Manual Therapy 2
- BIOL2007Biochemistry
- OSTP2001Osteopathic Science I
- Psychological Science SpecialisationUnit CodeUnit TitleNotesEDUC1001Language and Learning in Your DisciplineHLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health ProfessionsPSYC1002Psychology Foundations: Self and SituationPSYC1009Introducing Health PsychologyPSYC1001Psychology Foundations: Brain and CognitionPSYC1005Fundamentals of Career Success in PsychologyPSYC1010Positive PsychologyHLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health EDUC1001
- EDUC1001Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health Professions
- PSYC1002Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
- PSYC1009Introducing Health Psychology
- PSYC1001Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition
- PSYC1005Fundamentals of Career Success in Psychology
- PSYC1010Positive Psychology
- HLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
- Nursing SpecialisationUnit CodeUnit TitleNotesEDUC1001Language and Learning in Your DisciplineHLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health ProfessionsHBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and PhysiologyHLTH1006Foundations of Interprofessional Health PracticeHLTH1007Foundations of Clinical PracticeNURS1005Fundamentals of Nursing PracticeINDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian PeoplesHLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health EDUC1001
- EDUC1001Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health Professions
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- HLTH1006Foundations of Interprofessional Health Practice
- HLTH1007Foundations of Clinical Practice
- NURS1005Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
- INDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
- HLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
- Naturopathic Studies SpecialisationUnit CodeUnit TitleNotesEDUC1001Language and Learning in Your DisciplineHLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health ProfessionsHBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and PhysiologyPSYC1009Introducing Health PsychologyHBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and PhysiologyINDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian PeoplesBIOL2007BiochemistryNATM2004Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Foundations Note 2 EDUC1001
- EDUC1001Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health Professions
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- PSYC1009Introducing Health Psychology
- HBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
- INDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
- BIOL2007Biochemistry
- NATM2004Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Foundations
- Community Welfare SpecialisationUnit CodeUnit TitleNotesEDUC1001Language and Learning in Your DisciplineWELF1001Introduction to Social WelfareWELF1003Counselling Theory and Practice Note 3CRTV1002Create: Innovate: ChangeINDG1001Indigenous World-ViewsWELF1002Community DevelopmentSOCI1005Social PolicySelect One (1) of the following units:POLT1001Australian PoliticsSOCI1001Introduction to Sociology EDUC1001
- EDUC1001Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- WELF1001Introduction to Social Welfare
- WELF1003Counselling Theory and Practice
- CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
- INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
- WELF1002Community Development
- SOCI1005Social Policy
- Select One (1) of the following units:
- POLT1001Australian Politics
- SOCI1001Introduction to Sociology
- Exercise Science and Psychological Science specialisationUnit CodeUnit TitleNotesEDUC1001Language and Learning in Your DisciplineHLTH1008Physical Activity for HealthHBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and PhysiologyPSYC1002Psychology Foundations: Self and SituationNUTR1001Nutrition for Health and Physical ActivityPSYC1001Psychology Foundations: Brain and CognitionPSYC1009Introducing Health PsychologyPSYC1010Positive Psychology EDUC1001
- EDUC1001Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1008Physical Activity for Health
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- PSYC1002Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
- NUTR1001Nutrition for Health and Physical Activity
- PSYC1001Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition
- PSYC1009Introducing Health Psychology
- PSYC1010Positive Psychology
- Medical Laboratory Science SpecialisationUnit CodeUnit TitleNotesEDUC1001Language and Learning in Your DisciplineHLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health ProfessionsHBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and PhysiologyCHEM1001Chemistry Note 3HBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and PhysiologyBIOL1006Introduction to Medical ScienceSTAT2001Foundations of Evidence for Health Science PractitionersBIOL2007Biochemistry EDUC1001
- EDUC1001Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health Professions
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- CHEM1001Chemistry
- HBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
- BIOL1006Introduction to Medical Science
- STAT2001Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
- BIOL2007Biochemistry
- Counselling SpecialisationUnit CodeUnit TitleNotesEDUC1001Language and Learning in Your DisciplineCOUN1001Counselling Skills 1 Note 3PSYC1002Psychology Foundations: Self and SituationCOUN1002Ethical Issues in PracticePSYC2004Lifespan PsychologyCOUN1003Case ConceptualisationHLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental HealthWELF1003Counselling Theory and Practice Note 3 EDUC1001
- EDUC1001Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- COUN1001Counselling Skills 1
- PSYC1002Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
- COUN1002Ethical Issues in Practice
- PSYC2004Lifespan Psychology
- COUN1003Case Conceptualisation
- HLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
- WELF1003Counselling Theory and Practice | Occupational Therapy Specialisation: EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- OCCU1001Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Human Occupations
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- HBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
- STAT2001Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
- INDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
- OCCU2005Lifespan Development and Occupational Transitions
- HLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health | Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology Specialisation: EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health Professions
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- HBIO1006Growth and Development
- HBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
- NUTR1001Nutrition for Health and Physical Activity
- HBIO2001Musculoskeletal Functional Anatomy
- HLTH2002Exercise Physiology | Biomedical Science Specialisation: EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health Professions
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- HBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
- CHEM1001Chemistry
- STAT2001Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
- BIOL1006Introduction to Medical Science
- BIOL2007Biochemistry | Osteopathic Studies Specialisation: EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- OSTP1001Osteopathic Manual Therapy 1
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- HLTH1006Foundations of Interprofessional Health Practice
- HBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
- OSTP2004Osteopathic Manual Therapy 2
- BIOL2007Biochemistry
- OSTP2001Osteopathic Science I | Psychological Science Specialisation: EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health Professions
- PSYC1002Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
- PSYC1009Introducing Health Psychology
- PSYC1001Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition
- PSYC1005Fundamentals of Career Success in Psychology
- PSYC1010Positive Psychology
- HLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health | Nursing Specialisation: EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health Professions
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- HLTH1006Foundations of Interprofessional Health Practice
- HLTH1007Foundations of Clinical Practice
- NURS1005Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
- INDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
- HLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health | Naturopathic Studies Specialisation: EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health Professions
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- PSYC1009Introducing Health Psychology
- HBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
- INDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
- BIOL2007Biochemistry
- NATM2004Professional Contexts in Naturopathic Medicine 1: Foundations | Community Welfare Specialisation: EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- WELF1001Introduction to Social Welfare
- WELF1003Counselling Theory and Practice
- CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
- INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
- WELF1002Community Development
- SOCI1005Social Policy
- Select One (1) of the following units:
- POLT1001Australian Politics
- SOCI1001Introduction to Sociology | Exercise Science and Psychological Science specialisation: EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1008Physical Activity for Health
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- PSYC1002Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
- NUTR1001Nutrition for Health and Physical Activity
- PSYC1001Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition
- PSYC1009Introducing Health Psychology
- PSYC1010Positive Psychology | Medical Laboratory Science Specialisation: EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- HLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health Professions
- HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
- CHEM1001Chemistry
- HBIO1010Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
- BIOL1006Introduction to Medical Science
- STAT2001Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
- BIOL2007Biochemistry | Counselling Specialisation: EDUC1001 Language and Learning in Your Discipline
- COUN1001Counselling Skills 1
- PSYC1002Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
- COUN1002Ethical Issues in Practice
- PSYC2004Lifespan Psychology
- COUN1003Case Conceptualisation
- HLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
- WELF1003Counselling Theory and Practice
Career & PR pathway
Occupations this degree typically leads to, and their skilled-migration list status
Registered Nurse (Aged Care)ANZSCO 254412
On both MLTSSL and CSOL, supporting 189/190/491 and the employer-sponsored 482/186. Needs registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, assessed against ANMAC's standards.
Assessed by Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
Registered Nurse (Medical)ANZSCO 254418
On MLTSSL, supporting the 189, 190, and 491, via ANMAC assessment and NMBA registration. Also on CSOL, additionally supporting the employer-sponsored 482 and 186.
Assessed by Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
Registered Nurse (Mental Health)ANZSCO 254422
On MLTSSL, supporting the 189, 190, and 491, via ANMAC assessment and NMBA registration. Also on CSOL, additionally supporting the employer-sponsored 482 and 186.
Assessed by Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
Registered Nurse (Community Health)ANZSCO 254414
On MLTSSL, supporting the 189, 190, and 491, via ANMAC assessment and NMBA registration. Also on CSOL, additionally supporting the employer-sponsored 482 and 186.
Assessed by Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
Nurse PractitionerANZSCO 254411
On both MLTSSL and CSOL, supporting 189/190/491 and the employer-sponsored 482/186. Requires advanced NMBA endorsement on top of standard registration.
Assessed by Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
MidwifeANZSCO 254111
On MLTSSL, supporting the 189, 190, and 491, via ANMAC assessment and NMBA registration. Also on CSOL, additionally supporting the employer-sponsored 482 and 186.
Assessed by Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
PhysiotherapistANZSCO 252511
On MLTSSL, supporting the 189, 190, and 491, via an Australian Physiotherapy Council assessment. Also on CSOL, additionally supporting the employer-sponsored 482 and 186.
Assessed by Australian Physiotherapy Council
Occupational TherapistANZSCO 252411
On MLTSSL, supporting the 189, 190, and 491, via an Occupational Therapy Council assessment. Also on CSOL, additionally supporting the employer-sponsored 482 and 186.
Assessed by Occupational Therapy Council of Australia
DietitianANZSCO 251111
On MLTSSL, supporting the 189, 190, and 491, via a Dietitians Australia assessment. Also on CSOL, additionally supporting the employer-sponsored 482 and 186.
Assessed by Dietitians Australia
List membership changes over time and does not guarantee an invitation. See the skilled occupation lists guide and the points calculator before relying on this for a visa decision.
Admissions
ATAR: 45. To be eligible to receive the Diploma of Health, students must complete 8 units (96 credit points), comprising: 1 specialisation in Occupational Therapy or Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology or Biomedical Science or Osteopathic Studies or Psychological Science or Nursing or Naturopathic Studies or Community Welfare or Exercise Science and Psychological Science or Medical Laboratory Science or Counselling.
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