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Career Profile

Public health officer

Public health officers plan and deliver programs and policies that protect and improve the health of whole populations, rather than treating individual patients.
Health and CommunityLegal and Government
Average weekly salary
$1812
Future demand
Strong
Most common education level
Postgraduate degree

What does public health officer do?

A public health officer works to protect and improve the health of whole communities, rather than treating individual patients. They plan, deliver and evaluate programs and policies in areas such as health promotion, disease prevention, environmental health and public health emergencies. The work is evidence-based, drawing on data about how and why health problems affect populations. Public health is about prevention and system-wide change, from vaccination campaigns to healthy-community initiatives. 

Public health officers work across federal, state and local government, non-government and not-for-profit health organisations, hospitals and community health services, and research and academic settings. The work spans office, community and field settings, and is usually project-based. 

Is a career in public health right for me?

A career in public health may suit you if you care about communities, enjoy working with data and evidence, and want to prevent health problems rather than only treat them. You need strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to work with many different groups.

Skills and attributes that suit this career include a strong interest in health and communities, the ability to analyse and interpret health data, good planning and project management skills, the ability to work with diverse groups and stakeholders, and an evidence-based approach to identifying and solving health challenges.

Analytical thinking
An ability to analyse and interpret information.
Communication
Clear written and verbal communication skills, supported by strong interpersonal skills.
Industry knowledge
A sound awareness and understanding of industry and trends.
Organisation
Effective time-management and prioritisation skills.
Professionalism
The ability to take initiative, demonstrate personal drive, and maintain a professional attitude.

Problem-solving and decision-making
The ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and make informed decisions.

How to become a public health officer

Many public health officers start with a bachelor degree in health, science or a related field, and specialist and policy roles often expect a postgraduate qualification such as a Master of Public Health. Experience through placements, projects or entry level roles helps you build the practical skills the field needs. 

Every journey to study is individual, and there are several paths into public health. A common path to becoming a public health officer:

  1. Complete a bachelor degree in health, science or a related field.
  2. Build knowledge of population health, health promotion and data.
  3. Consider a postgraduate qualification, such as a Master of Public Health.
  4. Gain experience through placements, projects or entry level roles.
  5. Keep developing your skills across health promotion, policy and data.

How long does it take to become a public health officer?

A bachelor degree in health or science usually takes three years of full-time study, or longer if you study part-time. This gives you a foundation for entry level public health roles. 

Many people then complete a one to two-year postgraduate qualification, such as UniSQ's Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master of Public Health, to move into specialist and policy roles. The pathway depends on the roles you are aiming for. 

Start your journey with UniSQ

Build towards a public health career with UniSQ, using a health or science degree as a starting point and a public health degree to specialise. 

Public Health degrees
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Need help planning your career journey?
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Responsibilities and work settings

Day-to-day responsibilities

Planning and delivering health promotion and prevention programs.

Collecting, analysing and interpreting population health data.

Developing, implementing and evaluating health policies.

Coordinating community education and stakeholder engagement.

Contributing to public health and emergency responses.

Where you might work

Community health organisations

Environmental and sustainability organisations

Non-profit, charity and community organisations

Public hospitals and health services

Research institutes and research centres

Universities and higher education providers

Public health officer FAQs

Pay for public health roles varies with the specific role, employer and level. For further information, please view the salary information on this page. 

Many public health officers hold a bachelor degree in health, science or a related field, and specialist or policy roles often expect a postgraduate qualification such as a Master of Public Health. Requirements vary by employer and role.

A public health officer plans, delivers and evaluates programs and policies that protect and improve the health of populations. They work in areas such as health promotion, disease prevention, environmental health and public health emergencies, using data and evidence rather than treating individual patients.

Public health is a meaningful, growing field for people who want to improve health at a community level. Demand has grown as governments and organisations focus on prevention. UniSQ's Master of Public Health, with health and science degrees as starting points, prepares you for the field.

Public health officers work across government, non-government and not-for-profit health organisations, hospitals and community health services, and research and academic settings. The work spans office, community and field settings.

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Disclaimer: UniSQ’s Career Finder is a guide only. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, career information may change over time. Career statistics are sourced from Your Career and Jobs and Skills Australia. © Commonwealth of Australia. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Salary figures listed on this page are in Australian Dollars (AUD).