Diploma of Health Coaching

This course provides you with the capabilities to deliver health coaching advice and practice, nutrition and fitness, and develop your research and professional development skills.

The Diploma of Health Coaching is ideal for people with a passion for health and the desire to create change in an inspiring new career.

If you already work in health or fitness, this course offers you the coaching skill set to expand your service offering.

You will gain confidence and knowledge in:

evaluating client health information safe exercise and movement nutrition and diet behaviour change assessment coaching health and wellbeing goals legal and ethical compliance work priorities and professional development.

Upon completion you will have the confidence and skillset to work as a health coach in the booming health and fitness industry, empowering clients to effectively change their behaviour to achieve their health goals.

This course is an approved program endorsed by the Health Coaches Australia and New Zealand Association (external link) .

Download the Diploma of Health Coaching brochure (PDF, 380 KB).

To be awarded the 10237NAT Diploma of Health Coaching, a student must successfully complete a total of nine (9) units of competency, comprising of:

• nine (9) core units.

Course structure and units

CORE UNITS

• BSBWOR501 - Manage personal work priorities and professional development
• CHCLEG003 - Manage legal and ethical compliance
• CHCPOL003 - Research and apply evidence to practice
• CHCPRP005 - Engage with health professionals and the health system
• DHCCCG503 - Coach clients to achieve health and wellbeing goals
• DHCCHI501 - Collect and evaluate client health information
• DHCSEM502 - Promote safe exercise and movement
• HLTHPS010 - Interpret and use information about nutrition and diet
• HLTPOP014 - Assess readiness for and effect behaviour change

Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers

Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Applicants must:- be over 18 years of age, and;- have a level of language, literacy and numeracy skills likely to facilitate successful completion of the course - sufficient to interpret complex documents and guidelines, liaise effectively with a range of health care professionals.Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.

Pathways from VU courses

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

The role of a Health Coach requires the application of advanced and specific skills and knowledge in the areas of health assessment, life coaching methodology and practice, nutrition, fitness, self and business management and to have a broad range of cognitive, technical and communication skills to select and apply methods and technologies to:

• analyse information to complete a range of activities, including health assessment of individuals, identification of most appropriate support services or facilities available and referral of individuals to the relevant services
• provide and transmit solutions to sometimes complex problems, applying life coaching skills to work with individuals to plan a better approach to their overall health and to address specific challenges in a realistic manner, and running their own business
• transmit information and skills to others, communicating effectively with a range of individuals, groups, clients, service providers or other practitioners in order to achieve the best possible outcome for clients when providing health coaching services

Graduates at this level will apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, judgement and defined responsibility in known or changing contexts and within broad but established parameters. They will be able to demonstrate a broad skill set, enabling them to work as Health Coaches, who may run community or care institutions based programs, deliver workplace health programs, counsel individuals to achieve their health goals, or may be active on social media platforms (for example bloggers), or a combination of these. They are promoting healthy eating, exercise and lifestyle on a broader level.