It has been a longstanding goal of EHA to have entry into the environmental health field through the Higher Education Sector. This policy describes how this can be achieved either through undergraduate or postgraduate courses of study. In the higher education sector, universities set objectives and academic requirements for programs/courses having regard to advice from relevant professional bodies, employer groups, and from peer review processes. The Australian Quality Framework (AQF) sets out characteristics of learning outcomes for each qualification in Australia. The Framework states that:
“Australian Universities, wherever their location and whatever their selected profile, must enable their graduates to operate anywhere, and in any sphere, at a level of professionalism consistent with best international practice, and in a way that embodies highest standards of ethical practice.”
The Vocational Education and Training (VET) Sector qualifications are based on nationally endorsed competency standards where they exist or on competency standards developed by relevant industry, enterprise, community or professional groups. For this reason, VET Sector qualifications do not form a part of this policy.
EHA has arranged mutual recognition of environmental health education with the New Zealand Institute of Environmental Health. Other international programs may be recognized by EHA and these are assessed on a case-by-case basis using the framework in this document.
This policy outlines the range of required attributes and capabilities of a graduate from an EHA accredited course/program of study in environmental health, and is consistent with the implementation of Outcomes Based Education (OBE) in Australian universities.
Further information on EHA accredited courses and membership is accessible through EHA’s website: www.eh.org.au
