This is the statutory qualifying course for environmental health officers in Victoria. It is unique to Swinburne and is designed to develop the technological, legal and administrative skills needs to carry out the complex tasks of public and occupational health surveillance, and the protection of the environment. The training offered is interdisciplinary and enables graduates to communicate effectively with experts in the relevant specialised fields. Swinburne arranges the professional experience for full-time students. The majority of environmental health officers are employed by local government authorities and by the State Health Department but many work with statutory authorities such as the Environmental Protection Authority .
Opportunities also exist in other state and federal departments and in the non-government sector.
Environmental health officers can thus be involved in varied duties such as infectious disease control and immunisation, enforcement of health standards in food establishments, restaurants, hotels, etc., food quality surveillance, the control of domestic waste disposal, industrial hygiene, pollution control and health education. Opportunities also exist in industry, particularly the food industry, where environmental officers assist with quality control work and in complying with health and pollution laws. The numbers of these opportunities is increasing. Some environmental health graduates are self-employed as consultants. Professional recognition Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Environmental Health.