Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety
Overview
A safe workplace is a necessity. The Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety course teaches you the essentials: incident response, managing claims, and hazard identification. This is a practical program with projects and assignments you can integrate into your existing role or organisation. Upon completion you can assist with workers’ compensation claims, rehab and return-to-work programs.
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
Skills you’ll learn
- Managing workers compensation claims
- Plan and produce documents
- Manage external WHS contractors
- Understand how to comply with WHS laws
Learning outcomes
- Assist with determining the legal framework for WHS in your workplace
- Assist with establishing and maintaining WHS legislative compliance
- Contribute to WHS risk assessment and create, implement, and evaluate risk control processes and policies
- Assist with monitoring contractor WHS compliance requirements and addressing contractor WHS noncompliance
- Contribute to implementing, assessing, and improving of WHS consultation and participation feedback processes
- Develop, implement, maintain, and review a WHS management system
- Contribute to a wide range of WHS compliance requirements and workplace hazard identification
- Assist with implementing response procedures during incidents
- Contribute to developing and implementing recommended measures and actions arising from incident investigation
- Assist with preparing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating return to work for injured workers
- Plan and produce documents; and draft and prepare final text
Your career opportunities
- Work health and safety consultant
- Work health and safety contractor
Location options
- Online
Why Swinburne?
Delivered by facilitators who are industry experts
Participant course training manual
Live Online delivery allows you to do the course from anywhere
Access to our team of Customer Development Advisors
Our Live Online delivery
Our Live Online delivery is a dynamic, engaging and interactive way to learn remotely. It’s just like face-to-face but with the added benefits of digital technology. Your facilitator will present in real-time, and you will be able to participate in group discussions and collaborate on exercises and group activities using our interactive platforms.
Admissions
Students are required to have access to a suitable workplace, including relevant WHS policies, procedures and processes, to meet performance evidence requirements and complete the assessment tasks for the embedded units of competency.
Students must also have access to working professionals in the WHS industry to collaborate with in order to complete assessment activities.
Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.
Credit transfer
Credit transfer is the recognition of academic credits gained through formal study (i.e. units of competency) completed either at another institute or in another qualification. The total amount of credit will vary from individual to individual, based on the unit/s that have been successfully completed.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of transferring the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime (irrespective of how they were obtained) against the requirements of the unit.
RPL is an assessment process that requires you to provide evidence that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the unit/s. The amount and types of evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit requirements.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
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Diploma of Work Health and Safety - Fast track
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Certificate IV in Project Management Practice - Fast track
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Certificate IV in Leadership and Management - Fast track
Course structure
The Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety is made up of 10 units delivered in four clusters.
Course outline
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Assist with workplace compliance with WHS laws
Core unit |
BSBWHS412 |
|
Contribute to WHS risk management
Core unit |
BSBWHS414 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Elective units | |
|
Demonstrate leadership in the workplace
Elective unit |
BSBLDR411 |
|
Make presentations
Elective unit |
BSBCMM411 |
|
Assist with managing WHS compliance of contractors
Elective unit |
BSBWHS418 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Contribute to implementation and maintenance of WHS consultation and participation processes
Core unit |
BSBWHS413 |
|
Contribute to implementing WHS management systems
Core unit |
BSBWHS415 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Contribute to workplace incident response
Core unit |
BSBWHS416 |
| Elective units | |
|
Assist with managing WHS implications of return to work
Elective unit |
BSBWHS417 |
|
Write complex documents
Elective unit |
BSBWRT411 |
Course delivery
Blended delivery
The blended delivery mode contains a series of Live Online workshops to cover theory and coaching sessions addressing industry contexts. Participants complete a webinar induction, e-Learning units and will submit assessments online via Swinburne’s e-Learning system, Canvas.
Live Online
Live online delivery is just like face-to-face but with the added benefits of digital technology. Your facilitator will present in real time, and you will be able to participate in group discussions and collaborate on exercises and group activities using our interactive platforms.
Assessment
Students will be given six weeks to complete their assessment(s) and submit assessments online via Swinburne’s e-Learning system, Canvas.
Assessor Guidance Session
Each unit of the program embeds a personalised guidance session tailored to the learner’s needs. This key checkpoint in the blended framework provides the opportunity to clarify understanding, ask questions, and ensures learners are on track for successful course completion.
Workplace delivery
This course (or units from it) can be tailored to industry delivery within the workplace for groups of eight or more students. Students may enrol in the course at any stage during the year. Students have the chance to select from a range of dates for elective units to determine the duration of their course.
2025 fees
Full fee* ($AUD)
$4,794
Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)
$1,299
Concession rate* ($AUD)
$260
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$0.00
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$0.00
Fees are estimates only
Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Skills first government-subsidised place
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.
How do I pay my fees?
You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Concessions rates for vocational students
If you’re enrolling in a Certificate IV-level program or below, are eligible for a government-subsidised training place and hold a valid concession card, you may be eligible for a concession of 80 per cent off the published fee of your unit(s) tuition – which means you’ll only be charged 20 per cent of the published fee.
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Study this course for free in 2024
You could have your tuition fees covered in 2024 thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative.
Free TAFE for Priority Courses is available to any Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen.
There are other factors, too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply!
Employer sponsored training
Many organisations are more than willing to help employees build on their skills and knowledge through professional development opportunities. In some circumstances, employers may be able to assist you in your professional development by sponsoring all or part of your fees.
Register your interest
To register your interest and request an application form you can submit our online enquiry form. Alternatively, you can call us on 1800 633 560, or email us at edge@swinburne.edu.au with the relevant information.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and spoken with one of our Course Advisors to understand your eligibility, what are you waiting for? Apply online!
Course timetables and start dates
Course timetables
2025 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety
2024 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety
The dates shown indicate when the WHS compliance and risk cluster commences. Students are eligible to commence this course during one of the other clusters if desired. Please see timetables further down for more information on all cluster dates.
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“Honestly, the entire experience with Swinburne has just been an utter delight from the minute I made the first phone call to enquire about doing this Certificate IV. In all my years of post-secondary study I have never found an educational institution so warm and inviting yet so professional and competent, along with simple and user friendly at the same time. The facilitator has been a great presenter using relevant examples, a confident approach to his presentations, a warm and inclusive manner. Overall, very positive.”
Andrew , Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety