Applications extended to 28 June. Last chance to start studying in July at Deakin, the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment. Exclusions apply, check course pages.
Health and community services
Study area
Help people in Australia and overseas to lead fuller, healthier and happier lives. Play a key role in reducing health disparities with a rewarding career in health and community services.
Study at the #36 uni in the world for public health
Our undergraduate and postgraduate health and community services courses can launch you into a range of job opportunities across the hospital, private practice, corporate and government sectors.
Disciplines within health and community services
Take the next step to a brighter future
Explore our health and community services courses and find out more about life at Deakin. Download the study guide to get more inspiration for your future career in a major growth sector.
See health and community services students in action
How placement led to a career for Madeleine and Emma.
Our unique approach to social work.
#1 Vic uni for occupational therapy course satisfaction.
From social work placement to employment as a case manager.
Learn in our OT simulation hubs that reflect real settings.
Tailor your public health degree to suit your career goals.
Building confidence in health management with Radhika.
Choose from 13 diverse majors in our Bachelor of Health Sciences.
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.
Postgraduate health webinar
Wondering what it’s really like to study postgraduate health at Deakin? Play our webinar to learn what studying is really like, including the workload, time commitment and flexible study options available to you.
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 283,100 new jobs or 12.5% by 2029 according to Australian Government employment projections.* Key areas of growth include:
- 122,900 new jobs for health and community service workers
- 56,300 new jobs for aged and disability carers
- 16,000 new jobs for health diagnostic and promotion professionals
- 6,900 new jobs for health and welfare services managers
- 2,900 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.
#36 in the world for public health
#207 university worldwide
#1 Victorian uni for graduate employment
#1 Victorian uni for course satisfaction
#1 Victorian uni for facilities and resources
#1 Victorian uni for student support
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.
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.
Why Hannah chose social work
Hannah discovered a social work course that aligns with their values, and moved from Tasmania to Deakin University's Geelong Waterfront Campus. Our accredited Bachelor of Social Work offers a critical and progressive approach to the field, which will help Hannah graduate career-ready.
Why public health matters to Mallika
Mallika, from India, took a bold step towards achieving her dreams by studying a Master of Public Health at Deakin, ranked #6 in Australia for public health. She’s now gaining the knowledge and practical experiences to drive positive change across communities and health systems on a global scale.
Want to explore more?
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.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
*Jobs and Skills Australia, Employment Projections 2024–2029
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
