Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) is a sector on the rise as more organisations look to prioritise the wellbeing of their people. As such, they’re increasing the number of health and safety representatives both external and in-house, and that’s great news for anybody considering a job in this booming industry.
If you’re thinking about getting into Health and Safety in the workplace you will need to complete a course first. But with so many in-classroom and online health and safety courses available, which one do you study and why? In this article, we explore industry qualifications to uncover the best available WHS courses in line with your career aspirations.
Work Health and Safety Jobs: The Key Facts
In Australia, Health and Safety jobs are booming. If you’re considering a career in this industry in 2025, then we’d say it’s a smart choice for several reasons:
- Strong Industry Growth – The Occupational Health and Safety Services sector in Australia is valued at $2.8 billion (2024) and has grown steadily at around 2% annually over the past five years, so you’ll find lots of opportunities for work.
- High Demand Across Sectors – Workplace Health and Safety professionals are needed in almost every industry, including construction, mining, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and government, offering broad career opportunities.
- Attractive Salary Potential – Safety professionals in Australia can earn solid wages; Work Health and Safety Officers in Perth can earn up to $110k annually (or higher in senior or specialist roles).
- Rising Focus on Compliance – Stricter regulations and heightened employer accountability mean WHS roles are becoming increasingly critical and respected within companies.
- Job Stability & Impact – A career in safety not only offers long-term job security but also gives you the chance to make a real difference in people’s wellbeing at work every day.
To prepare yourself for work within this growing profession, you will first need to complete a training course. But what courses are there and how can they help you achieve your career objectives?
Exploring WHS Training Courses
What is a WHS Course?
Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) courses are essential for maintaining workplace safety and ensuring compliance with Australian health and safety laws.
These courses are designed to educate workers, supervisors, and managers on workplace safety regulations, risk management, and compliance with Australian WHS laws. Ultimately, they help businesses meet their legal obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, ensuring a safer and healthier working environment.
While WHS training is essential across all industries, it is particularly relevant in high-risk sectors like construction, healthcare, and manufacturing.
WHS training courses helps students to learn about:
- Australian WHS Laws & Regulations
- Risk Management & Hazard Control
- Incident Response & Emergency Procedures
- Workplace Safety Systems & Compliance
- Leadership in WHS
Popular WHS Courses
In terms of training courses, there are several options available to cater for beginners to advanced workers. Which one is best for you? It all depends on where you are along your WHS career journey.
BSB41419 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety
This course is considered the most suitable for anyone just starting in WHS. It teaches students a broad range of skills required for work in this critical and growing industry. What’s more, the Certificate IV is a nationally recognised qualification, meaning it’s valued by industry employers across Australia and can improve your chances of finding work after completing it.
Course Focus
The Certificate focuses on multiple components of health and safety – risk management, legal requirements, health and safety protocols, and emergency procedures. Students learn to how to understand and implement WHS policies and procedures, conduct safety audits, and handle workplace incidents and hazards correctly to preserve life.
Course Highlights
Duration: 12 months (average completion time is 3-6 months)
Cost: Government subsidised; free for eligible students
Delivery method: Classroom and workplace
Units of study: 10 (5 core and 5 elective)
What the Course Includes
| BSBWH412 | Assist with workplace compliance with WHS laws |
| BSBWH413 | Contribute to implementation and maintenance of WHS consultation and participation process |
| BSBWH414 | Contribute to WHS risk management |
| BSBWH415 | Contribute to implementing WHS management systems |
| BSBWH416 | Contribute to workplace incident response |
| BSBINS401 | Analyse and present research information |
| BSBWHS418 | Assist with managing WHS compliance of contractors |
| BSBWRT411 | Write complex documents |
| BSBSTR402 | Implement continuous improvement |
| BSBSLDR411 | Demonstrate leadership in workplace |
Career Path and Job Roles
Graduates of the Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety can go on to do many jobs. Some may choose to work in roles focused on compliance with safety laws, accident prevention, and creating a safe workplace environment – that’s into jobs such as WHS Coordinator, Safety Officer, Occupational Health and Safety Technician, WHS Advisor, or Safety Manager.
Others interested in roles that cover both safety and environmental concerns – that’s projects involving environmental sustainability alongside health and safety at work – may go on to become an HSE Manager, Environmental Health and Safety Officer, or Health and Safety Specialist.
Diploma of Work Health and Safety
For those already working in WHS and keen to progress into senior roles, you can consider a Diploma of Work Health and Safety.
This advanced qualification focuses in-depth on developing and managing WHS systems, leading safety teams, and ensuring compliance for your business. Most students must first complete the Certificate IV, since it services as a foundation to the skills and knowledge covered in the Diploma.
There is also an Advanced Diploma for WHS professionals looking to extend themselves further again, preparing for leadership responsibilities, strategic planning, and learning highly specialist skills required to implement WHS into their business systems effectively.
WHS vs HSE Courses: What’s The Difference?
If you’re new to health and safety jobs and exploring your options, you may have come across references to HSE courses or even seen some advertised online.
The term HSE stands for Health Safety and Environment and stems from industries such as construction, mining, manufacturing, and oil & gas, where maintaining strict safety standards within a specific environment is essential.
Unlike WHS qualifications, there is no single, nationally accredited “HSE” qualification in Australia – instead, training for HSE roles is covered by the Certificate IV in Workplace Health and Safety, which includes:
- Workplace Safety Laws & Regulations
- Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment
- Accident Prevention & Emergency Response
- Environmental Management
- Workplace Safety Culture
Be aware many free HSE courses with certificates are not nationally recognised accreditations and viewed differently to the Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety. Put simply, they can limit the types of job you are eligible for. So, if you’re pursuing a career in HSE, enrol on the Certificate IV in Workplace Health and Safety and it will take you toward your employment goals much faster!
Final Tips for Choosing a Work Health and Safety Course
When returning to study due to a change of vocation – or preparing to enter the workplace for the first time – it can be tricky knowing which course is best.
To pursue a career in Workplace Health and Safety, these quick tips can help you.
If you want to:
-Gain a nationally recognised certificate that increases your work opportunities
-Seek employment in workplace safety roles that directly impact employee wellbeing
-Find jobs that focus on environmental sustainability and broader industry compliance as well as health and safety at work
-Work in roles like WHS Coordinator, Safety Officer, WHS Advisor, Safety Manager, HSE Manager, Environmental Health and Safety Officer, or Health and Safety Specialist
We recommend the BSB41419 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety, recognised nationally by industry bodies and employers as the most suitable course to prepare for WHS or HSE jobs.
Ready to Begin Your Work Health and Safety Training?
A career in Work Health and Safety can be deeply rewarding, with extensive job opportunities, a respectable salary and personal satisfaction from supporting employee wellbeing.
Ready to get going with formal training? Start by arranging a chat with a Career and Course Advisor at Insight Training, leaders in WHS courses in Perth, and we can tell you more about the BSB41419 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety.
