Discover the health and community services course for you

Make a genuine difference to people’s quality of life by pursuing a career in health. Our health and community services courses can launch you into a range of job opportunities across the hospital, private practice, corporate and government sectors. Not sure what course you want to study? We’ve got you covered, explore our disciplines within health and community services.

Undergraduate

Undergraduate (your first degree)

A Deakin undergraduate course is the foundation of your future career, usually completed in two to four years. Duration varies based on degree type, enrolment pattern and any credit received from recognition of prior learning.

Postgraduate

Postgraduate (further study)

A postgraduate qualification can be undertaken by students who have already completed an undergraduate degree or possess significant, demonstrable work experience. Postgraduate courses include graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, masters and PhDs, as well as specialist programs for industry professionals.

Research

Higher Degrees by Research (supervised research)

Research degrees are research based master’s or PhD programs that focus on a single area of expertise. They provide students the opportunity to carry out highly specialised research under expert supervision.

Join the #1 Victorian university for course satisfaction

Learn from teachers with strong industry links and gain a world-class education by interning, volunteering and working in multidisciplinary teams during your degree.

Take the next step to a brighter future

Explore our health and community services courses and find out more about life at Deakin. Get more inspiration for your future career in a major growth sector.

Download study area guide

Download our study area guide

Study at Deakin and be rewarded with new skills that will give you an edge in the job market

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Choose a health degree that will get you work ready

Our health and community services courses are developed in consultation with industry and designed to ensure you gain the skills employers want.

Work in a rural community

Many of our courses have a rural and regional focus that helps to address the significant health workforce shortage in these communities. Your rural or regional placement complements knowledge and skills gained in metropolitan settings.

A multidisciplinary approach

Our complementary health streams help you develop an understanding of the expertise and roles of different health and community services professionals who you might work alongside in your future career.

Gain real-world experience

Graduate work ready with extensive placement opportunities. Gain valuable skills and experience under the supervision of qualified practitioners.

Join the fastest-growing industry in Australia

The healthcare and social assistance sector is Australia’s largest employer, providing jobs to over 2.1 million people or about 15% of the workforce.* As a Deakin health and community services graduate, you’ll have the grounding in multiple fields to prepare yourself for a successful career in the fastest-growing employment sector in Australia.

Roles in the healthcare and social assistance sector are projected to grow by by 257,300 new jobs or 12.1% by 2028 according to Australian Government employment projections.*

  • 122,900 new jobs for health and community service workers
  • 42,600 new jobs for aged and disability carers
  • 14,600 new jobs for health diagnostic and promotion professionals
  • 5,700 new jobs for health and welfare services managers
  • 2,500 for speech pathologists.

Professional recognition

Studying a Deakin health and community services course can open the door to professional recognition and accreditation. Depending on your course or major, you may be eligible for registration with Australian and global bodies, including:

  • International Union for Health Promotion and Education
  • Nutrition Society of Australia
  • Hong Kong Nutrition Association
  • UK Association for Nutrition
  • Occupational Therapy Council of Australia
  • World Federation of Occupational Therapists
  • Exercise and Sports Science Australia
  • Speech Pathology Australia.

Benefit from industry-leading facilities

Whether it be in our state-of-the-art food analysis and sensory labs, occupational therapy simulated spaces featuring home automation technology or our Specialised Indoor Exercise and Sport Science building, you’ll enjoy world-class facilities throughout your studies.

 

Top 1% worldwide for public health

 

Top 1% of universities worldwide

 

#1 Victorian uni for educational experience

 

#1 Victorian uni for course satisfaction

 

#1 Victorian uni for facilities and resources

 

#1 Victorian uni for teaching quality

Sources

For my course, I liked the variety of majors/minors Deakin offered. This gave me an opportunity to explore my interests and work out which areas of health I wanted to work in. This was extremely important to me as I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to be.

Elyse Manie

Bachelor of Health Sciences graduate

World-class teaching experiences

With real growth comes real employment outcomes. By studying health at Deakin you’ll be immersed in world-leading research and gain access to unrivalled facilities. Combined with extensive fieldwork and placement opportunities, you’ll graduate highly skilled and work ready.

Leading health research

Research at Deakin is making a difference across the health spectrum and feeds directly into the development of our undergraduate and postgraduate courses, which means that you’ll graduate with knowledge from the cutting edge of science.

Expand your horizons

Connect with the world through faculty-led programs, short-term study programs, international internships and volunteering. If you’re looking for a more immersive experience, you can also take part in our exchange programs. This offers the opportunity to combine study and cultural immersion while gaining credit towards your degree.

Want to explore more?

  • Which health degree is right for you?
  • Which postgraduate health course is for you?
  • How placement sets you up for a successful health sciences career

Which health degree is right for you?

Want to study health but don’t know where to start? There are many options to consider when it comes to choosing which health degree is right for you.

Read more

Which postgraduate health course is for you?

Keen to take the next step in your health career and expand your skills with a masters degree? Learn which Deakin health course is right for you.

Read more

How placement sets you up for a successful health sciences career

Discover how completing a placement as part of your health sciences degree will prepare you with the real-world skills for a successful career.

Read more

Footnotes

*Jobs and Skills Australia, Employment Projections 2023–2028
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of sources.

++Some courses have limited places, apply early to avoid missing out.

Contact us

Got a question about our health and community serivces courses? Our course advisers are available to speak to you about your study options and how we can help you further your career.

Domestic students
1800 693 888
Enquire online

International students
+61 3 9918 9188
Enquire online