New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management (Level 6)

New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management (Level 6)

New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management (Level 6)

Get into Health and Safety Management with the New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management. Develop essential skills needed to manage and develop health and safety protocols.

Important notice:
SIT Online has now reached capacity for Zero Fees places in this programme. All applications for this programme received from 25 May 2026 for study in 2026 will be offered at a reduced full fee to cover the cost of our course delivery. Applicants already enrolled prior to this date or for 2027 will not be affected.

 

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Key Details
SIT Online
Qualification:
Diploma
Level:
6
Credits:
120
Duration:

One year full-time

Up to four years part-time

Intakes are 17 weeks long

Study Modes:
Distance Learning
Dates:

2026 Intake 3: 22 June to 16 October - Applications Close 08 June 2026

2026 Intake 4: 27 July to 20 November - Applications Close 13 July 2026

Fees:

Zero Fees Scheme

  • Tuition Fee: $0   Check eligibility
  • 2026 Direct material Cost: $250 per paper (incl GST)
  • 2027 Direct material Cost: $7.00 per credit (incl GST)

 

International Fees

$100 per credit

 

Unsure which one is for me? Check Fees Eligibility Check my options

 

     

Get into Health and Safety Management with the New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management. Develop essential skills needed to manage and develop health and safety protocols.

This diploma will advance your personal and professional skills necessary to be successful in demanding and evolving business environments that are recognised locally, nationally and internationally.

You will learn:

  • Risk management
  • Health and Safety in Employment
  • Occupational health and safety strategies and organisational systems
  • Occupational health and safety training strategies and evaluation
  • Occupational health and safety management practice leadership
  • Occupational health and safety strategic planning and performance measurement
  • Occupational health and safety intervention programme design and evaluation
  • Workplace Health and Safety Resilience in Dynamic and Disrupted Contexts 

Changes to the Qualification Starting 2026

This qualification is being updated to align with its latest version. Beginning 2026, the paper MGT608 – Organisational Behaviour will be replaced by a new paper: MGT645 – Workplace Health and Safety Resilience in Dynamic and Disrupted Contexts. If you have already completed MGT608 – Organisational Behaviour as part of the Level 6 Health and Safety Diploma, you will not be disadvantaged. Your previous completion will still be recognised, and you will not need to take the replacement paper.

Changes to the Qualification Starting 2026

This qualification is being updated to align with its latest version. Beginning 2026, the paper MGT608 – Organisational Behaviour will be replaced by a new paper: MGT645 – Workplace Health and Safety Resilience in Dynamic and Disrupted Contexts. If you have already completed MGT608 – Organisational Behaviour as part of the Level 6 Health and Safety Diploma, you will not be disadvantaged. Your previous completion will still be recognised, and you will not need to take the replacement paper.

*As of 01 January 2022, SIT Online has updated the paper codes to be in line with other Southern Institute of Technology’s qualifications. The paper name and content are the same.

Please ensure that you are selecting the correct papers when you enrol online as the application will now show the new paper codes.

Please refer to the table below for the old and new codes

Paper CodesPaper TitleLevelCredits
Old Paper CodesNew Paper Codes (with effect from 2022 Intakes)
MGT206MGT605Risk Management and Quality615
MGT222MGT611Health and Safety in Employment615
MGT225MGT613Occupational Health and Safety Strategies and Organisational Systems615
MGT226MGT614Occupational Health and Occupational Safety Training Strategies and Evaluation615
MGT227MGT615Occupational Health and Safety Management Practice Leadership615
MGT228MGT616Occupational Health and Safety Strategic Planning and Performance Measurement615
MGT229MGT617Occupational Health and Safety Intervention Programme Design and Evaluation615
 MGT645Workplace Health and Safety Resilience in Dynamic and Disrupted Contexts615

MGT605 Risk Management (Level 6) 15 credits

This course provides learners with the knowledge and skills to apply risk management principles in New Zealand workplaces, in alignment with relevant legislative frameworks, best practice and organisational risk tolerance and profile.  Learners will develop the capability to identify, evaluate, prioritise and manage health and safety risks and hazards, and to recommend mitigation strategies.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Apply principles and best practice for risk assessment, prioritisation and control to identify, evaluate and manage health and safety hazards and risks in an organisation.
  • Develop, justify and communicate risk mitigation strategies that align to a New Zealand organisation's risk profile, tolerance and relevant legislative frameworks and regulatory requirements.  
  • Critically evaluate the effectiveness of risk control measures within an organisation's risk management framework and recommend improvements based on best practice, quality and performance criteria.  

MGT611 Health and Safety in Employment (Level 6) 15 credits

This course provides learners with foundational knowledge of workplace health and safety and responsibilities in workplace contexts.  It focuses on developing the skills to source, analyse and communicate health, safety and wellbeing information, apply relevant legislation, and evaluate strategies that reduce the incident and severity of work-related injury and illness in New Zealand workplaces.

Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Identify and analyse sources of internal and external workplace health, safety, and wellbeing information, including evaluating data source quality and reliability.
  • Present relevant health and safety data to assist in strategic planning and performance measurement.
  • Apply strategies to reduce the incidence and severity of work-related injury and illness within a specific organisation.
  • Develop and apply engagement strategies to communicate health, safety and wellbeing information to stakeholders (internal and external) at all levels of a specific organisation.

MGT613 Occupational Health and Safety Strategies and Organisational Systems (Level 6) 15 credits

This course provides learners with an overview of both health and safety systems and strategies, including policies and processes and best practice in quality management, to enable the proactive management of risk and hazards for both occupational health and occupational safety.

Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Examine the purpose of integrated occupational health and safety systems and strategies.
  • Critically evaluate occupational health and occupational safety systems and strategies within an organisation for quality, functionality and effectiveness.
  • Lead and support the development and implementation of integrated health and safety systems and strategies to proactively manage risks and hazards in a workplace context.  
  • Monitor and evaluate the success of an integrated health and safety system and strategy in a workplace context.

MGT614 Occupational Health and Occupational Safety Training Strategies and Evaluation (Level 6) 15 credits

This course provides learners with the knowledge and skills to critically evaluate the design, implementation and impact of organisational health and safety training programmes.  Learners will explore local and global training approaches, assess their effectiveness in improving workforce capability and safety in a workplace context, and develop the capability to influence and support health and safety training practices across all levels of an organisation.

Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Compare and contrast the design, function, purpose and quality of occupational health and safety training programmes, both local and global.
  • Develop evaluation criteria for and critically evaluate the quality and effectiveness of occupational health and safety training programmes on workplace and worker health, safety and performance in a New Zealand organisation.
  • Lead and support key influencers in the design, implementation, review and evaluation of health and safety training programmes at all levels of an organisation.

MGT615 Occupational Health and Safety Management Practice Leadership (Level 6) 15 credits

This course provides learners with the leadership skills and capabilities required to influence, support and model best practice in occupational health and safety.  Leaners will explore leadership approaches that strengthen health and safety performance, address individual and organisational improvement, and foster inclusive and protective health and safety cultures.

Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Analyse occupational health and safety leadership best practice, inclusive of safety culture and quality leadership, for a specific organisation.
  • Identify key factors in health and safety performance management and critically examine strategies to review and lead improvement in individual and organisational performance.
  • Lead and support the application of leadership concepts, behaviours and practices that consider diversity, inclusion and the development of a positive and protective workplace health and safety culture.

MGT616 Occupational Health and Safety Strategic Planning and Performance Measurement (Level 6) 15 credits

This course develops the learner's capability to collect, analyse, interpret and apply health and safety data to inform strategic planning, risk management, quality improvement, and performance measurement in occupational health and safety contexts.

Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Analyse the principles of data collection and management in the context of occupational health and safety strategic planning and performance measurement.
  • Calculate, apply and evaluate data from a range of sources to lead and support in strategic planning, risk management, quality management and performance measurement contexts.
  • Design and develop strategic planning and performance measurement options for a given situation and make recommendations.
  • Analyse and present occupational health and safety data analyses and evaluations to assist decision-making in a given scenario.

MGT617 Occupational Health and Safety Intervention Programme Design and Evaluation (Level 6) 15 credits

This course develops the learner's capability to design, implement and evaluate occupational health and safety intervention programmes.  Learners will identify and analyse information sources, assess incident and risk data, and apply evidence-based strategies to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses and near-misses through effective programme planning, reporting and quality improvement.

Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Compare and contrast key types and sources of occupational health and occupational safety information used in the evaluation of intervention programme design and quality. 
  • Critically analyse occupational health and occupational safety information and tools used to identify accidents, incidents, injury, near-misses and future risk.
  • Formulate intervention programme strategies to reduce the incidence and severity of accidents, incidents, injury and near-misses and potential risk.
  • Evaluate intervention programme actions, risk management, and associated outcomes and make recommendations for quality improvement.

MGT645 Workplace Health and Safety Resilience in Dynamic and Disrupted Contexts (Level 6) 15 credits

This course provides learners with the skills to strengthen and adapt workplace health and safety systems and practices in dynamic and disrupted contexts.  Learners will evaluate how disruption affects organisational health, safety and wellbeing, and will develop inclusive, proactive strategies that build organisation, system and person resilience, support psychosocial wellbeing, and empower and engage workplace stakeholders through culturally responsive and inclusive leadership and communication.

Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

  • Evaluate the potential impacts of dynamic and disrupted contexts and disruptive events on workplace health and safety systems, practices and worker wellbeing in the New Zealand context, and identify opportunities to build resilience. 
  • Adapt health and safety systems and practices to strengthen organisational resilience, quality, and to support both leadership and employee capability in dynamic and disrupted workplace contexts.  
  • Lead and apply inclusive and culturally responsive health and safety communication and engagement strategies to support participation and psychosocial wellbeing in dynamic and disrupted workplace contexts.

Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge to work as a manager or leader in a range of strategic roles within a health and safety context in New Zealand organisations.

Recent graduates of the New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management have furthered their career in their current employment, gaining additional responsibilities and/or successfully increasing their remuneration in reflection of their additional skills.

     

Applicants should be a minimum of 20 years of age, with a minimum of four years secondary education. All applicants should have academic attributes (e.g. successful completion of a previous qualification at Level 4 or above) or industry experience (e.g. as evidenced by CV or employer references) which indicate they have a reasonable likelihood of successful completion of the programme.

Personal commitment and a belief in one’s own ability to succeed are also important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

Special Admission

Notwithstanding the above admissions categories, in exceptional circumstances, a mature aged applicant who can show evidence of ability to succeed in advanced level studies in workplace health and safety management (e.g. strong work experience/background as evidenced by CV, or referee attestations), may be considered for admission provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme, which is deemed to prepare graduates for the required academic standard for entry.

English Language Requirements

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following: 

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A¬ level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or

Trinity College  London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or

Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in  either New Zealand, Australia­, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of a Bachelor ‘s Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters’ Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be  from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and  with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years  preceding the proposed date of enrolment

Diploma at Level 6

  • IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5
  • TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE)
  • TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18)
  • Cambridge English Examination -B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169.  No less than 162 in each skill.
  • OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
  • NZCEL - a) Expiring Level   b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic) 
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42 
  • Language Cert - C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS 
  • Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction in any band

All SIT Online courses require you to have a computer and Internet access. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT Online communications. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system. Once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive an Important Information Booklet that includes information that you can use to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment. From the intake start date you will have access to the online course materials to work through.

Facilitator Assistance: During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only). All students are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study. Students who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2ndweek of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme. Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.

All students will get an official academic transcript on successful completion of their programme of study which will be posted or given at Graduation.  After each intake is finished, it is suggested that students check their results on MySIT.

We recommend students new to SIT Online read through the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for further study and enrolment information.

Please use the following checklist to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been included. Remember, your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide us with.  Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information.

  • I have read all sections of the Programme Information on this page
  • I have read the SIT Online Frequently Asked Questions section
  • I have met all admission criteria for the programme (found under Application Criteria)
  • I have met all the criteria for individual papers (found under Application Criteria)
  • I have selected the paper(s) I wish to study
  • I have selected intake(s) (I have selected alternate intakes rather than overlapping intakes)
  • I know my intended payment method
  • If my organisation/company is paying for my studies, I have a completed and approved purchase order to attach to my online application.  I am aware that should my organisation or company not pay my fees, these will become my responsibility.
  • I have completed and will attach a cross credit form (if applying for a cross credit)
  • New students – I have provided an active NSN in the name I am enrolling in or I have verified ID and will attach it to my online application.
  • New students – I will attach academic documentation (NZQA record of achievement/academic transcripts/certificates).  These do not need to be verified. (If you do not have any academic documentation to support your application, please attach a comprehensive CV outlining your education and work experience).
  • Access to a workplace or organisation operating a health and safety system(s) would be benefial for some of the papers within the programme of study.
  • I have computer access,  an Internet connection and access to software to create electronic documents e.g. Microsoft Word or Open Office

What is the Zero Fees Scheme?

The Zero Fees Scheme means we do not charge tuition fees. However, there is a Student Direct Material Cost that you need to pay. The administration fee is for processing your application and the Student Direct Material Cost gives you secure access to Blackboard® our online learning environment and to student support services throughout your study with us.

Who qualifies for the Zero Fees Scheme?

  • A New Zealand citizen completing the full qualification or 
  • An Australian citizen/New Zealand Resident or Permanent Resident who will be residing in New Zealand for the duration of your enrolment.

Instructions to help you with your application:

  1. Read the Programme Information on this page and the SIT Online Frequently Asked Questions and find out if you meet the application criteria for both the programme and the unit/s you wish to study.
  2. Check your eligibility for Zero Fees. If you are not eligible to study under this scheme, please call 
    0800 748 257 for further options.
  3. Complete your online enrolment checking that:

If you are a new student …

  • Provide an active NSN number in the name you are enrolling in (contact NZQA on 0800 697 296 to get your NSN number if you do not know it); 
  • If you do not have an active NSN, then attach a copy of your verified ID in the name you are enrolling in.
  • If you are a Resident or Permanent resident of NZ, please provide a copy of proof of residency;
  • Attach all academic documentation to support your application including copies of any certificates of courses you have undertaken / NZQA record of achievement / transcripts / CV;

Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.

  1. Please check that you have included all the required information and supporting documents.  Your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide.  Missing information will delay the processing of your application.
  2. Please scan and email all additional documentation to sitonline@sit.ac.nz.

What happens next?

  • You will receive an automatic email confirmation when we receive your online application. Processing may take up to three weeks. However, we will get in touch with you sooner if we require further documentation.
  • Once your application has been accepted you will be sent a conditional offer of acceptance with an invoice and instructions on how to make payment.
  • Once we have received your payment (or if you have opted to pay by Credit Card, Student Loan or Purchase Order) you will be sent an Enrolment Confirmation Letter and Important Information Booklet. Closer to the start of the intake you will receive a Time To Get Started Letter which will give you all the necessary information, tools and guidance to start your study with us.

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management (Level 6) programme of delivery, and be awarded the New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management qualification the student must successfully achieve:

  • A minimum of 120 credits in accordance with the Programme schedule for the New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management (Level 6) programme of delivery.
  • The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management (Level 6) programme of delivery full-time over one year or part-time over four years.

Please Note: Students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.

Assessments for this course typically involve a variety of essays and written reports.  Assessments also involve practical interaction with industry stakeholders.

For more information on required and recommended textbooks for this course please refer to the textbook list here.

Please note that textbooks need to be ordered at least 3-4 weeks prior to the commencement of your study

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