Graduate Certificate in Bushfire Planning and Management

Bushfires are part of the Australian landscape and can impact every square meter of the bush, as well as people and communities.

Population increases and climate change are creating new challenges in the way we plan for and manage bushfire risk to humans, biodiversity and the built environment.

Developed with input from government and fire authorities, the Graduate Certificate in Bushfire Planning and Management will develop your knowledge of fire in the Australian landscape and allow you to further develop skills in either planning or fire management.

Tailor your course

If your interest is in the design and regulation of development in bushfire-prone environments, you'll focus your studies on planning and regulation to minimise bushfire risks.

If you're interested in environmental management and a career as a natural resource manager or specialist bushfire consultant, you'll focus your studies on fire management.

Study in an immersive environment

Subjects in this course are taught from the Parkville campus and some of them include week-long residential study at our beautiful Creswick campus. You'll also partake in site visits to fire laboratories and study sites around Melbourne.

Gain relevance and professional accreditation

There is a strong demand to increase the number of fire-qualified professionals and to equip existing professionals with world-best practice skills in planning, design and managing fire risk in semi-urban and rural environments. You are provided with the opportunity to participate in case studies of best practice and to develop professional networks in the fire risk management arena.

If you complete the Bushfire Planning Stream of the program, you'll be eligible to apply for accreditation under the Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD) scheme administered by the Fire Protection Association Australia.

This course is not available to international students who require a student visa to study in Australia.

The Graduate Certificate in Bushfire Planning and Management is a 50-point program (4 core subjects) with two streams to choose from: Bushfire Planning and Bushfire Management.

The course consists of the core subjects Bushfire and Climate and Bushfire Planning and Management, plus two further subjects according to your stream.

Our graduates go on to work as: bushfire risk officers, land management consultants, town planners.

Employers in this field include:

• Government departments of agriculture and environment, including VicForests
• Local councils.