Graduate Diploma in Human Factors and Safety Management Systems

Human factors is an emerging professional area.

It focuses on the improvement of organisational safety and performance.

Human factors is relevant whenever improvements to human well-being and performance mesh with technological and system performance.

Through this qualification you will develop the ability to:

incorporate human factors into organisations to lead to competitive advantages in the marketplace recognise and systematically address common problems that contribute to human error recognise and address the potential for human error in novel or unusual circumstances and situations improve product quality and performance improve human-machine-system interaction This qualification is delivered online only.

Entry requirements

For entry into the Graduate Diploma in Human Factors and Safety Management Systems, applicants will be required to have:

• A Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline. Relevant disciplines typically include psychology; safety; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; ergonomics; occupational hygiene; and engineering. Applicants with Bachelor degrees in other related disciplines are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case by case basis; OR
• Any Bachelor degree AND four years of relevant Health and Safety or Human Factors work experience; OR
• A Graduate Certificate in Human Factors or Ergonomics from a recognised higher education institution; OR
• A Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety from a recognised higher education institution.

Human factors is a multi-disciplinary applied science that integrates psychology, engineering, ergonomics, management and industrial design. It explores socio-technical systems in the workplace – the relationship between technology, individuals and organisations in work place design.

The advanced knowledge and strong research skills you will develop in this qualification can be applied to a wide range of industries including aviation, transportation, healthcare, mining and defence. You will play a critical role in enhancing workplace safety and productivity.

If you are studying part-time, we recommend you complete the four courses offered in the Graduate Certificate in Human Factors and Organisational Safety first.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

UniSA collaborates with over 2,500 companies worldwide. These extensive industry connections give us a truly competitive edge – our students get real-world skills and contacts.

We emphasise hands-on training and knowledge. As part of this graduate diploma you will draw on international research expertise and a series of applied projects to make your studies applicable to the real world.

This degree is offered online. This means that you:

Your career

Employment opportunities for Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals are expected to grow over 9 per cent in Australia between now and 20231. The skills you will learn in this qualification are broad and they can be applied to almost any industry, including:

• aviation
• transportation
• healthcare
• mining
• defence
• security

Careers to consider:

• occupational health, welfare and safety manager: managing workplace health and safety including monitoring compliance, training, policies and procedures, and auditing
• WHS risk manager: working right across an organisation providing high level advice, security and risk management planning, incident response, and organisational operating procedures
• human factors consultant: analysing work methods and identifying opportunities to improve safety and performance through the integration of human factors techniques
• incident and accident investigation officer: attending incidents and investigation activities; delivering briefs and reports; managing emergency responses

1Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business Projections 2018

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and areas that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, a perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services can make your life at university easier. We provide a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling. You can also access a range of services through our students association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.