Ready to make a difference? Explore health science careers

Want a career that helps people live healthier lives? Health science professionals tackle some of society's biggest challenges – from promoting healthy lifestyles to supporting ageing communities.

Health sciences is one of Australia's fastest-growing career fields, offering meaningful work and countless opportunities to make a difference.

A Bachelor of Health Sciences prepares you for a wide range of meaningful careers across the health and social sectors. It’s ideal if you’re passionate about improving health outcomes but want to explore pathways beyond clinical roles like nursing or medicine. You’ll graduate ready to make an impact in areas such as health promotion, public health, wellbeing and policy development.

At Deakin, you can study on campus or online and tailor your degree to suit your goals. You can:

• choose up to three majors^*
• broaden your knowledge with electives
• gain practical skills in research, policy and professional practice.

Dr Elyse Warner, lecturer in the School of Health and Social Development at Deakin University, explains that the degree's unique structure gives students both versatility and a competitive edge.

'The course has a unique structure that combines two to three complementary study specialisations – or major pathways – within a robust structure of core health science units that develop students' knowledge and skills in research, policy and professional practice.'

For example, combining majors in food studies and health and sustainability could prepare you to tackle ecological challenges in the food industry and be an asset to any environmentally responsible organisation.

She adds, 'Our major pathways have been carefully designed to articulate with current industry priorities so that students can enhance their primary practice area with specialist knowledge that makes them stand out from the crowd.'

With over half a million new jobs in health care and social assistance projected in the next ten years,^{^} you will graduate with the in-demand skills needed to step into thriving health science careers.

Deakin Health Sciences graduates are well placed to take advantage of Australia’s booming health sector, with excellent employment opportunities across a wide range of roles. Your undergraduate degree also provides a strong pathway to postgraduate study at Deakin – and many of these courses can be completed in a reduced duration, depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications.

The health care and social assistance industry is projected to make the largest contribution to employment growth in Australia, with the number of health professionals expected to grow 28.5% by 2035.^{^} This means strong career prospects for health sciences graduates and plenty of opportunities in health science careers.

Students also have the option to complete a 120-hour Health Practicum in their final year. This hands-on placement in a health-related organisation lets you put your knowledge into practice, build professional connections and graduate with confidence.

No wonder Deakin is ranked the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Health Sciences work in community health, government, not-for-profits and private organisations. Health science careers are diverse and growing.

Example health sciences jobs include:

• health promotion officer or wellness coordinator
• policy analyst or program manager
  
• program coordinator or mental health support worker
• workplace wellness advisor or environmental health officer
• community engagement officer or case manager
• food and nutrition policy developer
• sustainability coordinator.
  

Dr Warner says the opportunities often surprise students.

'The locations for health and wellness officers are quite diverse and sometimes surprising. We have recently observed positions in mining, infrastructure, local councils and not-for-profit organisations such as the Country Fire Authority of Victoria. A graduate could enter one of these positions with various major and minor combinations.'

You don’t need postgraduate study for many health science roles – you can work in areas such as community health, wellness, policy and health promotion. But if you want to deepen your expertise or move into leadership, research or specialised practice, postgraduate study can open those doors. You might choose to continue into Deakin’s Master of Public Health, Master of Health Promotion, Master of Health Economics, Master of Health Management or Master of Human Nutrition to expand your career options and make a greater impact in the health sector.

If you major in psychological science, your studies are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and can lead to further study pathways that ultimately enable registration as a psychologist. If you major in nutrition, you can apply for registration with the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) or, if you meet the specific entry requirements, progress into Deakin’s Master of Dietetics to become an accredited practising dietitian.

Deakin's Bachelor of Health Sciences lets you choose a double or even triple major to expand your career options, develop a versatile skill set and stand out to employers. Popular combinations include:

• physical activity and health with psychological science
• food studies with environmental health
• health promotion with nutrition
• exercise science with disability and inclusion.

As Dr Warner explains, 'This can be a compelling selling point for employers looking to broaden their client base or enhance their capacity to support clients under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).'