Start building today!
Experience the Find the courses and unlock the true potential
The Bachelor of Health (Exit Award Only) is a formally recognised undergraduate qualification at the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 7, awarded to students who have completed a substantial portion of a longer health-related degree program — such as a Bachelor of Health Sciences or a combined health degree — but who exit before completing the full award. Rather than being a standalone enrolled program, this qualification is conferred as an academic exit point, recognising the knowledge and competencies students have genuinely acquired. It sits within the broad Health category and covers interdisciplinary foundations including the biological, social, environmental, psychological, and cultural dimensions of human health. Students gain exposure to topics such as health promotion, epidemiology, health policy, human bioscience, ethics in healthcare, social determinants of health, and research methods.
This course suits students who began a longer or combined health sciences degree and need to step away from study — whether due to personal circumstances, a career change, or a decision to enter the workforce earlier — while still receiving formal recognition of their university-level learning. It is also relevant to students who have completed enough credit points to satisfy the exit award requirements and wish to formalise their qualification before pursuing postgraduate study or employment. Graduates of this award are prepared for a range of entry-to-mid level roles across public health, community health, health administration, health promotion, and health policy sectors.
Employers who recruit graduates holding this qualification include government health departments at federal, state, and local levels; non-government organisations (NGOs) and community health services; hospitals and primary health networks; research institutions; disability and aged care services; and health advocacy bodies. Because the degree is non-clinical, it is particularly valued in roles that focus on population health, program coordination, health education, and community engagement rather than direct clinical practice.
Australia's healthcare and social assistance sector is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the country, creating sustained demand for a broad range of health professionals beyond clinicians. The Bachelor of Health (Exit Award Only) equips graduates with versatile, cross-sector skills that are increasingly sought after in public health program design, health policy, community services, and health administration. Several roles accessible to graduates — including health promotion officer — appear on Australia's national skills shortage list, meaning qualified graduates face strong employment prospects and may also find it easier to remain in Australia on long-term visas if they are international students. With Australia's ageing population placing ever-greater pressure on the health system, demand for workers with a broad health sciences foundation is projected to grow well into the 2030s.
Beyond immediate employment, this qualification acts as a meaningful academic credential that can serve as a pathway into postgraduate study, including a Master of Public Health, Master of Health Management, Master of Health Promotion, or other allied health graduate programs. For students who initially enrolled in a longer degree but whose circumstances changed, the exit award ensures their years of study are formally recognised and credentialled — rather than lost. It provides a genuine foundation in health literacy, research skills, and systems thinking that is valued across government, not-for-profit, and private health sectors alike.
Entry into a Bachelor of Health degree in Australia typically requires completion of an Australian Year 12 Senior Secondary Certificate (or interstate/international equivalent), with a minimum ATAR that varies by institution — commonly ranging from approximately 60 to 75 for health sciences programs. Most providers require or strongly recommend prior study in at least one science subject such as Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, or Psychology, along with a satisfactory result in English. Some institutions accept applicants without a recent ATAR who can demonstrate relevant vocational or work experience, completion of a TAFE diploma or certificate (Certificate III or higher), partial completion of another higher education degree, or a satisfactory score on a tertiary entrance test such as the STAT (Special Tertiary Admissions Test). Mature-age applicants with five or more years of relevant work or life experience in health or community services may also be considered through special admissions pathways.
For international applicants, English language proficiency is required, most commonly demonstrated via an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0, or equivalent scores in TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English tests. Some institutions set slightly higher English requirements depending on the specific health stream chosen. As the Bachelor of Health (Exit Award Only) is a qualification conferred to students exiting an existing enrolment, specific entry requirements will align with those of the parent degree program in which the student was originally enrolled. Prospective students should check with individual providers about credit recognition, advanced standing, and the minimum number of credit points required to qualify for the exit award — this typically ranges from two to three years of full-time equivalent study completed within the parent degree.
This course may be offered in different study modes depending on the university, campus location, course structure and student type. Students should check the available delivery mode before applying, as not every study option is available at every institution.
On-campus study is the traditional mode of delivery where students attend classes, lectures, tutorials, workshops or seminars at the university campus. This option may suit students who prefer face-to-face learning, access to campus facilities, networking with classmates, practical workshops, group projects and direct engagement with academic staff.
Some universities may offer programs fully online or with online subject options. Online study can be attractive for students who need flexibility due to work, family, location or other commitments. Online study may suit domestic students, working professionals or students who want to study from outside Australia.
Hybrid or blended study usually combines online learning with some on-campus classes, workshops, intensive sessions or practical components. This mode may suit students who want flexibility but still want some face-to-face interaction. The exact structure varies between institutions.
Programs in Australia may have different intake structures depending on the university. The most common intake systems are semester, trimester and block mode.
Many Australian universities follow a two-semester academic calendar. The main intakes are commonly Semester 1 (around February or March) and Semester 2 (around July). Semester-based study usually allows students to complete a set number of subjects over approximately 12 to 14 weeks.
Some universities use a trimester system, which generally provides three study periods a year — around February/March, June/July and October/November. Trimester study may provide more flexibility and may help some students complete their course faster.
Some institutions may offer selected subjects or programs in block mode, where students focus on one subject at a time over a shorter, more intensive teaching period. Block mode may suit students who prefer concentrated learning or working professionals managing study around employment.
Some online or professionally focused programs may offer more frequent start dates or flexible entry points throughout the year. Students should not assume that every course has monthly or multiple intakes — availability depends on the institution, course structure and student type.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Health (Exit Award Only) are well positioned to enter a wide range of roles across the Australian public health, community health, health administration, and social services sectors. Because the qualification is broad and non-clinical, graduates are valued in roles that require strong health literacy, community engagement, research skills, and an understanding of health systems rather than direct patient care. Employers span federal, state, and local government health departments, primary health networks, non-government organisations, aged care and disability services, research institutions, and private health companies. The qualification also serves as a stepping stone into postgraduate programs in public health, health management, and allied health disciplines, enabling further career specialisation.
Entry Level
Graduate / Assistant
Graduate Health Officer, Community Health Assistant, Health Promotion Assistant, Program Support Officer, Health Administration Assistant
Early Career
Officer / Coordinator
Health Promotion Officer, Community Engagement Officer, Case Manager, Program Coordinator, Indigenous Health Liaison Officer, Health Education Officer
Mid-Level
Adviser / Specialist
Senior Health Promotion Officer, Public Health Specialist, Chronic Disease Program Adviser, Community Health Specialist, Policy and Research Officer
Senior Level
Manager / Senior Adviser
Health Programs Manager, Community Health Services Manager, Senior Policy Adviser, Regional Health Planner, Population Health Manager
Leadership
Director / Head / Principal
Director of Public Health Programs, Head of Community Health Services, Chief Health Officer (Local Government), Director of Health Policy, Principal Health Consultant
Salaries for Bachelor of Health graduates in Australia vary by role, sector, location, and level of experience, with the public sector often following structured award classifications.
Melbourne
Melbourne is home to one of Australia's largest concentrations of health agencies, hospitals, research institutes, and community health services, making it an excellent city for health graduates to find employment and networking opportunities. The city's diverse and multicultural population also creates strong demand for community health workers and culturally competent health promotion professionals.
Sydney
As Australia's largest city, Sydney offers extensive career opportunities across NSW Health, primary health networks, leading research hospitals, and a large NGO sector focused on community health and social services. The city's significant health workforce demand and broad range of employers across both metropolitan and regional health districts make it a strong destination for health graduates.
Brisbane
Brisbane's rapidly growing population and Queensland's expanding healthcare infrastructure mean strong demand for health promotion, community health, and public health program professionals. Queensland Health is one of the state's largest employers, and Brisbane also serves as a gateway to rural and remote health roles across a geographically vast state.
Perth
Perth offers health graduates a growing jobs market supported by WA Health and a range of community organisations serving both urban and regional communities, including significant opportunities in Indigenous health programs across Western Australia's vast territory. The relative scarcity of health professionals in remote WA communities further elevates demand for broadly trained graduates.
Adelaide
Adelaide has a strong health and biomedical research sector, with SA Health providing numerous graduate employment pathways in public and community health. The city's relatively affordable cost of living and the South Australian government's investment in health promotion and preventive health initiatives make it an attractive base for early-career health professionals.
Canberra
As Australia's national capital, Canberra is a prime location for health graduates interested in health policy, research, and advocacy, with the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and numerous national health bodies headquartered in the ACT. Graduates seeking careers at the intersection of health and government policy will find exceptional opportunities in Canberra.
Before choosing a course, students should compare:
International students who want to study in Australia should also consider additional requirements before applying.
Join successful graduates
Students Helped
Application Processed
Listed Universities
Listed Courses
