Overview 2020
Location
Commonwealth Supported places available
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the list of distance courses (i.e. online and taken outside Australia) that are offered to international students
"My studies into sustainability have been extremely useful in my home and I'm even working to implement more sustainable practices in my workplace.
I greatly enjoyed studying online and this diploma gave me the confidence in my academic ability to undertake further study while I work.”
Throughout this course, you’ll learn practical knowledge about sustainability, and how to apply it to in your home, community, business or social enterprise.
The Diploma is aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and provides four engaging themes to focus your studies:
- Environment, Ecology and Planet
- Resource Use and Design for Living
- Well-being and Health to Promote Sustainable Living
- Social Justice, Equity, and Diversity
Upon graduation, you’ll have a better understanding of your connection to sustainability as an individual, consumer and citizen.
Course objectives
The Diploma of Sustainable Living aims to link participants’ lived experience as an individual, consumer and citizen with learning for sustainability at a range of scales; regional, nationally and globally.
The curriculum is structured around five narratives that are linked with selected UN Sustainable Development goals and include: sustainability at home; sustainability in the environment; sustainability as a social enterprise; sustainability to empower transformative change; sustainability and justice; and, sustainability and human health.
Sustainable Living specialisations
Environment, Ecology and Planet
Through everyday actions, plus maintaining global perspectives, you can promote environmentally sustainable practices to support life on land and below water.
Units in this specialisation align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- #6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
- #12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
- #13 – Climate Action
- #14 – Life Below Water
- #15 – Life on Land
Resource Use and Design for Living
Design responsible and innovative use of resources and infrastructure to support sustainable living, from your own backyard, to your community, and beyond.
Units in this specialisation align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- #7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
- #8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
- #9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- #11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
Well-being and Health to Promote Sustainable Living
Promote sustainable living to improve health and well-being for all.
Units in this specialisation align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- #1 – No Poverty
- #2 – Zero Hunger
- #3 – Good Health and Well-being
- #12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
Social Justice, Equity, and Diversity
Identify opportunity and challenges related to sociocultural sustainability in communities. Change begins at home, and your awareness and impact in your own community can contribute to positive, global improvements.
Units in this specialisation align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- #1 – No Poverty
- #4 – Quality Education
- #5 – Gender Equality
- #8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
- #10 – Reduced Inequalities
- #16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Learning outcomes
On completion of the Diploma of Sustainable Living graduates will:
CLO1 Identify opportunities to contribute to sustainable living by reflecting on the choices you make in your life.
CLO2 Design pathways to a sustainable future for communities with networks of social practice around sustainable living
CLO3 Explain the impact your day-to-day activities and decisions have on contributing to the global agenda of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Specialisation Learning Outcomes
On completion of the Diploma of Sustainable Living, graduates will also achieve two of the following, based on their choice of specialisation:
- Promote environmentally sustainable practices to support life on land and below water
- Design responsible and innovative use of resources and infrastructure to support sustainable living
- Promote sustainable living to improve health and wellbeing for all
- Identify opportunities and challenges relating to sociocultural sustainability in your community
Practical experience
The practical experiences of this Diploma are what you make it through your choice of units, and as you take your sustainable living knowledge out into the world and make a difference.
While the Diploma of Sustainable Living is offered 100% online, depending on what you choose to study you could be:
- growing a bigger, healthier and more productive garden thanks to your understanding of the Science of Gardening,
- using the principles of Sustainable Design for Houses to inform your house renovations with a focus on improving impact on the environment and your health,
- Helping maintain a healthy local ecosystem through your own Backyard Biodiversity,
- Engaging in your community, exploring your local environment, and much more!
Career outcomes
As a graduate of the Diploma of Sustainable Living you will possess new skills, outlooks on living, and a deeper understanding of sustainability in an ever changing world which will complement your existing career direction.
Course structure
The Diploma of Sustainable Living requires eight units to complete: an introductory unit, a capstone unit, and two specialisations of three units each.
- Introductory unit – Introduction to Sustainability Literacy (one unit)
- Capstone unit – Local Lives for a Sustainable Planet (one unit)
- Diploma specialisations – two specialisations of three units each (six units)
The units you can study within each specialisation are made up of breadth units, foundation and level-100 - or entry level - units. Note that a unit can only count towards the requirement for one specialisation even if it is offered an an option within multiple specialisations.
Breadth units offer multi-disciplinary perspectives, and are based around understanding and addressing some of the ‘wicked’ problems encountered by modern society. These are challenges that are without an easy answer, and by tacking them, we work towards creating broad, positive change that delivers benefits across local to global scales.
Need help choosing your first year units? Try the Unit Selection Guide.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you’re not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study at UTAS.
DOMESTIC APPLICANTS
Domestic applicants who have recently completed secondary education (in the past two years)
To be eligible for an offer, you must have completed secondary education and received an ATAR.
Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your study plan and subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.
Domestic applicants with higher education study
To be eligible for an offer, you must have:
- Previously undertaken study at the Associate Degree level or higher; or
- Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (UPP) or an equivalent enabling program delivered by another Australian university
Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study
To be eligible for an offer, you must have completed a Certificate III or higher.
Domestic applicants with work and life experience
If you have not successfully completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have relevant work and life experience you can complete a personal competency statement. You may be eligible for an offer if you have a sustained employment background or work and life experiences that demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.
We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
This course is not available for international students.
Articulation from
Articulation into the Diploma of Sustainable Living course from other courses will be done in line with the University's standard application for credit process. Please see the Articulation/ Credit webpage for more information. Applications for credit can be made upon application to the Diploma of Sustainable Living
Articulation to
Students wishing to articulate from the Diploma of Sustainable Living into other University of Tasmania courses may gain credit, subject to the receiving College's discretion.
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at the Domestic Student Fees website, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
International students should refer to the International Students course fees page to get an indicative course cost.
Scholarships
The Diploma of Sustainable Living is designed to be accessible to a wide audience. To help enable this, we offer generous scholarships for domestic students to help you to pursue your passion for sustainability.
For eligible domestic students, all units studied as part of the Diploma of Sustainable Living that commence after 16 June 2020 and have a census date prior to 31 December 2021 will be receive a 100% HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) scholarship. This means the entire cost of the Diploma can be covered by a scholarship.
The HECS scholarship is applied to your record as soon as possible after you enrol in the unit(s) of your choice within the Diploma of Sustainable Living. Initially, your invoice in eStudent may reflect the cost of the unit. Sometimes it may take up to a week after your enrolment is processed, but please be assured your correct invoice will appear in eStudent after this time.
You may notice on the individual unit pages that the costs of the units are explicitly stated. Please be assured that the cost for units studied under this Diploma commenced after 16 June 2020 and with a census date prior to 31 December 2021 will be 100% covered by a HECS Scholarship for eligible students.
Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
For eligible students, the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is waived for units that commence after 16 June 2020 and have a census date prior to 31 December 2021 when studied under the Diploma of Sustainable Living.
Completing an eCAF
A requirement for all students receiving a HECS Scholarship for this unit is compulsory completion of the eCAF. The eCAF (electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form) is a government form that is available online through eStudent. Completing the form is a requirement for all students, and instructions and support to complete the eCAF form is included in your enrolment process.
Should you have any problems submitting your eCAF, please contact us by email course.info@utas.edu.au or call 1300 363 864.
*Domestic students include Australian citizens or students holding Permanent Humanitarian Visas or with Permanent Resident Status. Citizens of countries outside of Australia (excluding New Zealand), are not eligible to study this unit.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries