Explore a career in

Public Health

Explore a career in

Public Health

Apply for study in 2025

What does a career in public health look like?

Public Health is a unique degree as it doesn't pigeonhole you into a particular profession. Graduates can follow their passion choosing distinctive career pathways, addressing bio-medical, research, and social determinants of population health and equity, Indigenous health, economic factors, and global approaches to health issues, such as obesity and heart disease.

As a public health professional, you will perform essential services that protect our communities. You might monitor the health status of a community to identify potential problems, diagnose and investigate health problems and hazards in the community or inform, educate, and empower people about health issues, particularly the underserved and those at risk.

You may develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts, enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety or link people to needed personal health services and ensure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.

Study options

Students can choose to study undergraduate or postgraduate Public Health courses that are 100% online or face to face.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Public Health

NOTE: Graduates of the Bachelor of Public Health, gives you an advantage to be considered under the Flinders Graduates Reserved sub quota, as it is a pathway course to gain a place in the Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Postgraduate

Graduate Certificate in Public Health | Fee - $4,656 (CSP)*

Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion | Fee - $4,656 (CSP)*

Master of Public Health | Fee - $9,314 (CSP)*

PhD in Public Health

Up to 80% off fees due to Government subsidies*

Explore a range of postgraduate Public Health courses with up to 80% off fees, including the Graduate Certificate in Public Health, the Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion, and the Master of Public Health.

^{*Government subsidies enable Flinders to offer domestic applicants a reduction of up to 80% off full course fees through Commonwealth Support Places. Not all courses. Offer subject to change.}

Public Health graduates are in demand to address global health challenges and protect communities.

Hear from Professor Nicola Spurrier, Chief Public Health Officer for SA Health, talk about why you should study Public Health at Flinders.

Potential occupations

Graduates are expected to progress into employment in public health policy, management and practice that includes the following potential occupations:

health and safety manager
epidemiologist/research analyst
public health project manager
public health senior consultant
academia
public health officer
health administrator
health promotion planning and evaluation officer
health information officer

Potential employers

World Health Organisation
government departments of health in policy, surveillance, health promotion, drug and alcohol services
research and higher education settings
community organisations such as the Heart Foundation and Cancer Council

Accreditation

Professionally accredited programs with globally recognised qualifications that increase your job opportunities worldwide.

Our Masters of Public Health degrees meet the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (AFPHM) and aligns with the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australia (CAPHIA).

Why study Public Health at Flinders?

Unique, fascinating topics that are relevant to the here and now

Social determinants of health
Machine Learning
Epidemiology
Digital Health
Health economics
Critical practice in First Nations health

Connect with industry leaders

To learn to become critical consumers of the medical and health literature
To understand the basis and impacts of health and related policy at local, national and international level and be able to contribute to their development
Gain skills and experiences making a real-world difference
Connect with active globally recognised researchers working at the forefront of their field
In-demand jobs and career prospects globally.

Flexible delivery and study options

Flexible delivery – face-to-face and online
Wide range of optional topics, support for cross-institutional learning.

Learn from top quality experts

Taught by active researchers in each field, many of whom are part of Flinders’ world-renowned Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity
High-quality supervision of dissertation students
Experienced supervisors with expertise in a wide range of areas and methodologies
Emphasis on research skills development.

Three reasons study Public Health

Looking for inspiration? Read our top three reasons to pursue a Public Health degree.

Learn more

No. 1 SA university
for overall educational experience and full-time employment.

_{(The Good Universities Guide 2022 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only)}

Health Care and Social Assistance is Australia’s largest industry and is projected to have strong employment growth through to May 2033.

(Jobs and Skills Australia 2024).

No.1 in Australia
in Health Services & Support for full-time employment, learner engagement and skills development

(The Good Universities Guide 2025 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)

Master of Clinical Epidemiology

Elevate patient outcomes with a Master of Clinical Epidemiology, where you'll learn to design clinical trials, frame research questions, and interpret evidence to improve care.

Developed with industry partners, this programme equips you with specialised clinical research skills.

Combine the Masters of Clinical Epidemiology with a Masters of Public Health and complete a double Masters in 2 years.

Learn more

Master of Clinical Epidemiology

Elevate patient outcomes with a Masters of Clinical Epidemiology, learn how to conduct and design clinical trials, frame appropriate research questions and interpret research evidence to improve clinical outcomes of patients.

Designed in consultation with Industry partners, to provide you with specialised knowledge and skills required for clinical research.

Combine the Masters of Clinical Epidemiology with a Masters of Public Health and complete a double Masters in 2 years.

Learn more

“

Flinders’ courses are run by experts in their fields who have a genuine love for what they teach.

It makes the whole experience enjoyable, interesting, and rewarding. Studying here has helped me feel like I have finally found the right career direction.

Tina Hart, Bachelor of Public Health

READ MY STORY

”

Get inspired

Start your career in Public Health

If you're passionate about making positive change, explore Public Health at Flinders

Watch more

Tina’s mission to empower communities

With a passion for improving health and advocating for health equity, Tina is ready to create a healthier future for all.

An experience to cherish for a lifetime

To Nagpriya, the quality of education and the learning environment were equally as important as that of her chosen career path.

Three reasons to study Public Health

We spoke to current students, alumni and Flinders teaching staff before compiling three top reasons to consider studying Public Health.

Future-proof your degree

Prepare for a bright future career with our step-by-step guide designed for Public Health students.

This guide is aligned to a three-year undergraduate Public Health timeline and includes curriculum based topics, careers workshops, online resources and activities within the Flinders Horizon Award.

Public Health Employability Roadmap

Future-proof your degree

Prepare for a bright future career with our step-by-step guide designed for Public Health students.

This guide is aligned to a three-year undergraduate Public Health timeline and includes curriculum based topics, careers workshops, online resources and activities within the Flinders Horizon Award.

Public Health Employability Roadmap

Frequently asked questions

What is public health?

The World Health Organization defines public health as 'the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts of society'. This science-based, evidence-backed field strives to give everyone a safe place to live, learn, work and play.

The health care industry treats people who are sick, while public health aims to prevent people from getting sick or injured in the first place.

Why should I consider a public health degree?

Public Health professionals:

can experience job security and professional variety in their public health careers
have an ability to impact health directly at community level
participate in advocacy to improve health
have a worldwide impact by contributing to involvement in international health initiatives.

Discover our top reasons to study Public Health

How much do public health jobs pay?

In Australia, public health jobs pay an annual salary of ~$80,000 (source: payscale.com)

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We’re here to help you every step of the way.

If you would like to talk to one of our friendly advisers about applying to university or to discuss your study options and pathways, please contact us.