Bachelor of Health and Physical Education
Course summary for international students
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Health and Physical Education |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne, Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Online | No |
| Length | 4 years full-time Delays in completing the placement could mean that the course will take longer to complete than the stated duration. International students are required to study full-time to complete their course within the duration registered on CRICOS. |
| Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026 | $38,200 for 1 yr full-time AUD |
| CRICOS code | 089295M Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| VTAC codes | 1400314283 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), International full-fee paying place 1400514283 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place |
| Deakin course code | E377 |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Online studies
- Professional recognition
- Fees and charges
- Career opportunities
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Admission criteria
- Academic requirements - Current or recent secondary education
- Academic requirements - Higher education study
- Academic requirements - VET study
- Academic requirements - Work and life experience
- English language proficiency requirements
- Non-academic requirements
- Admissions information
- Credit for prior learning - general
- Work experience
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
Course overview
Create safe, inclusive and engaging learning environments that make a difference to health and wellbeing when you study Deakin’s Bachelor of Health and Physical Education. As a qualified health and physical education secondary school teacher, you will specialise in a topic you’re passionate about and develop the critical skills, specialised knowledge and practical classroom experience to nurture your students. Explore the art of movement and delve into applied sports science, biomechanics, and motor learning and development at Australia’s #3 university for education and educational research.
Deakin is the only university to embed the Berry Street Education Model into all of our initial teaching degrees. You’ll graduate equipped with practical, trauma-informed strategies to support every learner. You’ll know how to manage safe, healthier and more engaging learning environments and build positive classroom relationships to promote academic success – giving you and your employer confidence.
Do you want to make a difference to the lives and health of young people by becoming a qualified health and physical education teacher?
Our industry-shaped courses and close relationships with the education sector mean you experience customised learning tailored to your discipline and one-on-one mentorship from industry leading educators. You will learn about the biggest health issues facing our population, enabling you to empower students to improve their health and wellbeing outcomes, now and into the future.
Our Professional Experience Program will give you real-life teaching experience with guaranteed placements throughout your degree. Working with more than 1400 schools across Australia, we will arrange at least 80-days of placements for you in schools where you will learn from experienced teachers. With access to our specialised teaching spaces on campus, you will feel prepared to thrive in your teaching career. You will even have the opportunity to broaden your scope as a teacher with an international placement experience available in Singapore for Bachelor of Health and Physical Education students.
You will have access to industry-standard equipment and state-of-the-art facilities, including our Elite Sports Precinct and specialised teaching labs.
As part of your core studies, you will gain practical experience using a variety of engaging teaching approaches in health, physical education and your chosen third discipline. You will build fundamental knowledge about the human body, including anatomical and physiological terminology, and understand how the science and art of movement and performance. Through mediums such as sport, gymnastics and dance, you will learn how the body reacts to movement and its impacts on various body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal and nervous systems).
To complement your core studies, you will choose a third discipline that will advance your cross-disciplinary knowledge and give you a competitive-edge for employment. You can choose from a range of disciplines that interest you, including:
- biology
- chemistry
- dance (Burwood only)
- English
- history
- home economics (Burwood only)
- mathematics
- theatre (Burwood only).
Deakin’s Bachelor of Health and Physical Education is approved by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as a pre-service teaching qualification, meaning you will graduate with a well-recognised qualification and the sought-after skills to thrive as an educator.
To be considered for an offer, prospective teaching students need to successfully complete the Casper test – an online, video scenario-based test that lets you demonstrate your suitability for a teaching career.
This course sits as part of a larger group of courses. For more information refer to the Education - Secondary group.
* U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Subject Rankings 2025-2026
Online studies
Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.
However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as a nationally accredited course and students are eligible to apply for registration with VIT upon graduation. If you intend to apply for registration in Victoria or interstate you may be required to provide further information.
Applicants are advised to check the registration requirements in their state or territory, carefully.
Fees and charges
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about international student fees.
Career opportunities
Employment in education and training is projected to grow by 12.4% or 150,100 new jobs by 2034 according to Australia Government employment projections.^ Graduate ready to take your career into teaching within the private, independent or public education sectors or advisory roles. You can even work closely with sporting organisations in advisory roles.
As well as working as an educator, you may find yourself working in fields including:
- community programs
- government agencies
- human resource management
- private academies/agencies
- professional coaching
- sport management.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
^2024 Jobs and Skills Australia, Employment Projections May 2024 to May 2034.
Course learning outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply coherent discipline-specific theoretical knowledge and capabilities in health, physical education and one other teaching area to contemporary curriculum design, pedagogy and assessment for teaching and learning in ways that align with the Australian Professional Standards for Graduate Teachers. |
| Communication | Use a range of communication skills and technologies to plan an teach for learning (including knowledge and skills) in the classroom and the broader school community. |
| Digital literacy | Employ a range of technologies to collect, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information for the purposes of teaching and learning in a rapidly-changing global environment. |
| Critical thinking | Use critical and analytical skills to determine solutions to unpredictable and sometimes complex problems in teaching, learning and assessment practices and to adapt these solutions to diverse contexts. |
| Problem solving | Demonstrate the capacity to know students and how they learn (including identifying their prior knowledge, learning strengths and weaknesses) to develop a creative solution to teaching and learning using a range of effective strategies. |
| Self-management | Engage in reflective practice to plan an deliver coherent teaching and learning experiences for students in Health, Physical Education and one other teaching area. Make well-developed responsible judgements in professional practice in Health and Physical Education teaching contexts. |
| Teamwork | Work and learn collaboratively with colleagues and other professionals and members of the wider community in ways that align with the codes of conduct and ethics of the profession. |
| Global citizenship | Apply culturally responsive, critically reflective and embodied self-knowledge of decolonial praxis in the design, delivery and evaluation of teaching and learning that honours and respects the educational expectations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and diverse learners, families and communities. |
Approved at Faculty Board 2025
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education, you must pass 32 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- ETI010 Trauma Informed Practice (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first year of study
- ELN010 Australian Literacy Test (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first year of study
- ELN011 Australian Numeracy Test (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first year of study
- HSE010 Exercise and Sport Laboratory Safety (0-credit-point compulsory unit which must be completed before classes commence)
- 26 credit points of core units
- 4 credit points of discipline study units in a third teaching method area
- 2 credit points of curriculum study units in the third teaching method area
- a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 10 credit points at level 3 or above
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Note: This course includes 80-days of supervised professional experience and requires students to successfully complete the Deakin Teaching Performance Assessment (DTPA) in their final year. If a student does not pass the DTPA, they must seek guidance from the Course Director. Graduation from the course confirms that students have met the Graduate Teacher Standards and achieved all Core Content learning outcomes outlined in Schedule 2.
To be eligible to graduate, students must complete three zero (0) credit point units:
- ELN010 and ELN011, which support the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE). Students are expected to attempt these tests in their first year; failure to do so may prevent course progression until an attempt is made.
- ETI010 (Trauma Informed Practice), which incorporates the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM). Students must also meet all academic progress and conduct requirements. For unit enrolment advice, contact Student Services.
- Students in this course must additionally complete an Emergency First Aid Certificate (Level 2) and AUSTSWIM qualifications prior to graduation.
Students must also meet all academic progress and conduct requirements. For unit enrolment advice, contact Student Services.
Course structure
Core units
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed prior to study commencing:
| HSE010 | Exercise and Sport Laboratory Safety (0-credit-point compulsory unit) |
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) |
To be completed in the first year of study:
| ETI010 | Trauma Informed Practice (0-credit-point compulsory unit) |
| ELN010 | Australian Literacy Test (0-credit-point compulsory unit) |
| ELN011 | Australian Numeracy Test (0-credit-point compulsory unit) |
| ESL010 | Science Education Lab Safety Induction (0-credit-point compulsory unit) |
Year 1
| EEH101 | Health and Physical Education Studies |
| EEH102 | The Art and Science of Movement |
| EEH103 | Foundations of Sport and Exercise Pedagogy and Practice |
| EPP101 | Teacher-Learner Identity |
| EPP102 | Learning-Teaching Communities |
| HSE102 | Functional Human Anatomy |
2 credit points of discipline study units in third teaching method area
Year 2
| EEH202 | Youth Health and Student Wellbeing |
| EPP203 | Professional Experience in Health and Physical Education: Curriculum Study A |
| EDU210 | The Brain and Learning |
| HSE201 | Exercise Physiology |
| HSE202 | Biomechanics |
| HSE204 | Motor Learning and Development |
2 credit points of discipline study units in third teaching method area
Year 3
| EEH301 | Nutrition, Growth and Development for Health Educators |
| EEH304 | Senior Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education |
| EEH315 | Teaching Sexuality and Relationship Education |
| EPP303 | Health and Physical Education: Curriculum Study B |
| EPP306 | Learning to Teach Literacy and Numeracy in HPE |
| HBS107 | Understanding Health |
2 credit points of curriculum study units in third teaching method area
Year 4
| EEH401 | Professional Issues in Health and Physical Education |
| EEH403 | Inclusivity and Diversity in HPE Movement Contexts |
| EEH404 | Health: A Family and Community Focus |
| EEH455 | Approaches to Teaching Health and Physical Education |
| EPR786 | Transition to the Profession 1 |
| EPR787 | Transition to the Profession 2 |
| HSE301 | Exercise Prescription for Fitness and Health |
| IND202 | Decolonising Teaching and Learning: Recognition, Relationships and Reconciliation on Unceded Lands |
Discipline Study Units
Students must complete 4 credit points of discipline study units in a third teaching method area from the following:
Dance* (Burwood only)
Complete four credit points from:
| ACD101 | Introduction to Contemporary Dance Practice A |
| ACD104 | Exploring Dance Styles |
| ACD207 | Improvisation for Dance and Movement |
| ACV210 | Art in Public Space |
Theatre* (Burwood only)
Complete four credit points from:
| ACP103 | Acting Studio |
| ACP109 | Improvisation for Theatre |
| ACP207 | Director's Workshop |
| ACP211 | Devising Theatre |
English - Children's Literature OR English - Literature
English - Children's Literature *
Select four credit points from:
| ALL153 | Literature for Children and Young Adults |
| ALL154 | Critical Issues in Children's Literature |
| ALL228 | The Golden Age: Child, Nature, Empire |
| ALL230 | Adapting Children's Texts Across Media |
| ALL326 | Gender, Sexuality and Texts for Young People |
| ALL255 | Fantasy Literature |
| ALL256 | Gender, Sex and Literature |
| ALL375 | Shakespeare Today: Sex, Race and Politics |
| ALW352 | Writing and Publishing for Young People |
| ALL376 | Classics and Trash |
OR
English - Literature*
| ALL101 | The Stories We Tell: Inventing Selves and Others |
| ALL102 | From Horror to Romance: Genre and Its Revisions |
| ALL202 | Writing Modern Worlds |
| ALL260 | Australian Literature |
| ALL255 | Fantasy Literature |
| ALL256 | Gender, Sex and Literature |
| ALW242 | Poetry: Events in Language |
| ALL381 | Nature, Climate, Transformation |
| ALL375 | Shakespeare Today: Sex, Race and Politics |
| ALL376 | Classics and Trash |
History
Select four credit points from:
| AIH107 | The Modern World: Nations, Empires, Ideologies, 1860s to 1930s |
| AIH108 | The Modern World: Globalisation and Fragmentation, the 1940s to the 21st Century |
| AIH238 | Australia in the Age of Total War 1914-1945 |
| AIH240 | Using and Abusing the Past |
| AST250 | A History of Australian Football, 1858-2020 |
| AST256 | Sport in History |
| AIH264 | The Holocaust |
| AIH276 | African American History From Slavery to Black Lives Matter |
| AIH288 | Colonial Encounters: From Invasion to Federation |
| AIH305 | Sex, Race, Gender: Empires, 1750-1950 |
| AIH350 | History from Here |
| AIH383 | Global Disasters |
Food Studies (Available to Burwood students only)
Complete five units from:
| HSN010 | Food and Nutrition Laboratory Safety (0 credit points) |
| HSN105 | Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems |
| HSN106 | Food Fundamentals |
| HSN210 | Nutrition and Food Promotion |
| HSH206 | Human Development and Healthy Families |
Mathematics*
Complete one credit point from:
| SIT192 | Discrete Mathematics |
Plus three credit points from:
| SIT194 | Introduction to Mathematical Modelling |
| SIT291 | Mathematical Methods for Information Modelling |
| SIT292 | Linear Algebra for Data Analysis |
Assumed knowledge required: completion of VCE Mathematical Methods units 3 and 4 (or equivalent) is required for this method.
Science (Senior Secondary) in specialist science area Biology
Animal Biology*
Human Biology*
Plant Biology*
Complete two units from:
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes |
Plus three credit points from:
| SLE132 | Biology: Form and Function |
| SLE203 | Environmental Botany |
| SLE204 | Animal Diversity |
| SLE205 | Vertebrate Structure and Function |
| SLE211 | Principles of Physiology |
| SLE221 | Systems Physiology |
| SLE254 | Genetics and Genomics |
Science (Senior Secondary) in specialist science area Chemistry
Chemistry*
Complete three units from:
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World |
| SLE155 | Chemistry for the Professional Sciences |
Plus two credit points from:
| SLE210 | Chemistry the Enabling Science |
| SLE213 | The Analytical Chemist's Toolbox |
| SLE214 | Organic Chemistry |
*Refer to E377 discipline studies units for available options.
A maximum of two credit points at level one may be taken under any listed method.
Curriculum Study Units
Students must complete 2 credit points of curriculum study units in a third teaching method area from the following:
Dance (Burwood only)
| ECA731 | Teaching Arts Education: Middle Years |
| ECA732 | Teaching Arts Education: Senior Years |
Theatre (Burwood only)
| ECA731 | Teaching Arts Education: Middle Years |
| ECA732 | Teaching Arts Education: Senior Years |
English
| ECL761 | Teaching English: Middle Years |
| ECL762 | Teaching English: Senior Years |
History
| EHU701 | Teaching Humanities: Middle Years |
| EHI702 | Teaching History: Senior Years |
Food Studies (Burwood only)
| EEH706 | Teaching Food Studies: Middle Years |
| EEH707 | Teaching Food Studies: Senior Years |
Mathematics
| ESM724 | Teaching Mathematics: Middle Years |
| ESM725 | Teaching Mathematics: Senior Years |
Science (Senior Secondary) in specialist science area Biology
| ESS744 | Teaching Science: Middle Years |
| ESS767 | Teaching Biology: Senior Years |
Science (Senior Secondary) in specialist science area Chemistry
| ESS744 | Teaching Science: Middle Years |
| ESS768 | Teaching Chemistry: Senior Years |
Admission criteria
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic requirements
Academic requirements - Current or recent secondary education
If you're currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all of the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
Year 12 prerequisite subjects
- Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion in two units (any study combination) of Maths: General Mathematics, Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Units 3 and 4: Maths (any)
- Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 35 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations, and has a minimum ATAR requirement of 70 including selection adjustments.
Academic requirements - Higher education study
If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
- successful completion of at least two bachelor level or above units (AQF Level 7 or equivalent)
You are required to complete the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admission Test) Multiple Choice if you have not completed Year 12, studied in the last ten years, or met the mathematics prerequisites.
Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice results for entry into Deakin University.
Please note that completion of Diploma level studies does not meet the mathematics prerequisite.
Academic requirements - VET study
If you have undertaken any Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, you will need to meet all of the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
- partial or full completion of a VIT-approved Pathway Program with a minimum WAM (Weighted Average Mark) of 60% over a minimum of one year of study
You are required to complete the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admission Test) Multiple Choice if you have not completed Year 12, studied in the last ten years, or met the mathematics prerequisites.
Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice results for entry into Deakin University.
Please note that completion of Diploma level studies does not meet the mathematics prerequisite.
Academic requirements - Work and life experience
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago, or did not finish Year 12, and haven’t undertaken any further study, you may be considered for admission to this degree based on your work, volunteer and/or life experience.
Submit a personal statement outlining your motivation to study, previous education and employment history, and how this course can assist your career aspirations or progression. Think of it as a job application cover letter – it should be relevant and demonstrate your commitment and interest in this course or study area.
* You will need to meet all of the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
You are required to complete the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admission Test) Multiple Choice if you have not completed Year 12, studied in the last ten years, or met the mathematics prerequisites.
Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice results for entry into Deakin University.
Please note that completion of Diploma level studies does not meet the mathematics prerequisite.
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score greater than 35 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or greater than 25 in any other English
- IELTS 7.0 (with no band score less than 6.5) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Non-academic requirements
Casper
All applicants must sit the Casper test. Casper is a requirement for many of the initial teacher training courses in Victoria. It is a non-cognitive online test designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes.
Learn more about how to register for Casper and deadlines for sittings for VTAC applications and direct applications.
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2026 students (PDF, 879KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.
Admissions information
Applicant indicator profile report of all applicants applying to Deakin University Teaching courses in Trimester 1, 2026.
Credit for prior learning - general
From 2026, all accredited Initial Teacher Education programs in Australia must deliver mandated Core Content requirements aligned with the AITSL Graduate Teacher Standards, which must be demonstrated within an accredited program for teacher registration eligibility. As the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education has been redesigned to meet these national requirements, Recognition of Prior Learning is not available for the units within this course
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Course duration
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
International student requirements
International students are required to study full-time to complete their course within the duration registered on CRICOS.
Work experience
Professional Experience Placement
Students will satisfactorily complete 80-days of professional experience placement in secondary education settings, as outlined below:
Year 1: 5-days in secondary school settings
Year 2: 20-days in secondary school settings
Year 3: 15-days in secondary school settings
Year 4: 2 x 20-days (40-days in total) in secondary school settings
The School of Education Professional Experience Office makes all arrangements for preservice teacher placements. The number of professional experience days align with requirements of external regulatory authorities (Victorian Institute of Teaching VIT).
Participation requirements
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
This course includes 80-days of supervised professional experience and requires students to successfully complete the Deakin Teaching Performance Assessment (DTPA) in their final year. If a student does not pass the DTPA, they must seek guidance from the Course Director.
Graduation from the course confirms that students have met the Graduate Teacher Standards and achieved all Core Content learning outcomes outlined in Schedule 2.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Teacher Education Graduation requirements
Students undertaking an initial teacher education course must pass an approved literacy and numeracy test in order to be eligible to graduate and apply for teacher registration. Learn more about the literacy and numeracy test.
Working with Children Check
Students will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course. Learn more about Working with Children Checks.
Interstate applicants must check the requirements and meet all conditions for undertaking professional experience in schools for their state or territory before undertaking professional experience placements as part of this course.
Inherent requirements
It is expected that all students will be able to abide by, and ensure their behaviour is in accordance with the Deakin University initial teacher education inherent requirements.
Immunisations
Immunisation and/or vaccination requirements will be communicated by the Professional Experience Office in line with the Department of Education and Training's directions at the time of placement.
For further information contact the School of Education, Professional Experience Office.
Police record check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course. Learn more about the National Police Record Check.