Master of Bushfire Protection (3708)

  • Approved Abbreviation: MBushfireProt
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 3708
  • AQF Level: 9

This program applies to students who commenced in 2022 or later.

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

For Commencement Year Summer A 2017/ 2018, please refer to: 3708.3 Master of Bushfire Protection

For Commencement Year 2016 - please refer to 3708.2 Master of Bushfire Protection

The Master of Bushfire Protection is a three-year part-time program which provides students with a comprehensive understanding of bushfire behaviour in relation to local vegetation, topography, land management and weather conditions. Students will be able to conduct bushfire assessments, provide advice on developments in bushfire prone areas, assess building designs against both the accepted and performance requirements of planning provisions, building code and standards.

The program has been designed primarily for External delivery. However, two subjects have a compulsory workshop that students are required to attend. Students are encouraged to attend online workshops to gain the benefit of interaction with their peers.

Early Exits

Students may exit this program on completion of 40 credit points with a 3794 Graduate Certificate in Bushfire Protection or on completion of 80 credit points with a 3793 Graduate Diploma in Bushfire Protection

Study Mode

Three years part-time. Students can fast-track by completing additional subjects per semester to complete the program earlier.

Program Advice

Program Advice

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Parramatta City Campus - Macquarie Street Part Time External See above

Accreditation

The program is recognised by Fire Protection Association Australia as a qualification for accreditation under the Bushfire Planning and Design Scheme.

Admission

There are three entry pathways into the Master of Bushfire Protection.  Students are categorised into three Pathways based on their previous study background and work experience as indicated below and program sequence and length is set accordingly.

Pathway A

Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree or higher in land surveying, building, building surveying, construction management, planning, urban studies, quantity surveying, architecture, landscape architecture, science, environmental studies, natural resource management, emergency management, land-use planning, local government, property development or public sector managementand
at least two years of related work experience

Pathway B

Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree or higher in planning, urban studies, environmental studies, natural resource management, urban and regional planning or property developmentand
at least two years relevant experience in planning (development control).

Pathway C

Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree or higher in building surveying, building or construction management, and
at least two years relevant work experience in building surveying.

Applicants seeking admission on the basis of work experience must support their application with a Statement of Service for all work experience listed on the application. 

Statement of Service form

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).  Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University.  Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Recommended Sequence

The program structure and sequence varies based on the student’s previous study background and level, and work experience.  See the Admission tab for more details.

Pathway A - Autumn intake

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
ARCH 7004 Planning and Development Control 10
BLDG 7007 Interpreting Building Regulations (Residential Buildings) 10
 Credit Points20
Spring session
Planning for Bushfire Prone Areas  
Note: From Spring 2022 ENGR 7016 is replaced by ENGR 6002 10
Planning for Bushfire Prone Areas  
BLDG 7004 Building in Bushfire Prone Areas 10
Students may exit at this point with a Graduate Certificate in Bushfire Protection (40 credit points).  
 Credit Points20
Year 2
1H session
The following subject is not required for students intending to exit with the Graduate Diploma  
BLDG 7014 Construction Industry Practice A 20
 Credit Points20
Autumn session
ENGR 6001 Bushfire Design and Climate Change 10
(Workshop attendance in this subject is required)  
PUBH 7007 Disaster and Emergency Management (PG) 10
(Workshop attendance in this subject is required)  
 Credit Points20
2H session
The following subject is not required for students intending to exit with the Graduate Diploma  
BLDG 7015 Construction Industry Practice B 20
 Credit Points20
Spring session
ENGR 7026 Performance Solutions for Bushfire Protection 10
BLDG 7008 Professional Practice and Building Law 10
Students may exit at this point with a Graduate Diploma in Bushfire Protection (80 credit points).  
 Credit Points20
Year 3
Autumn session
INFO 7010 Research Project A 20
 Credit Points20
Spring session
INFO 7011 Research Project B 20
 Credit Points20
 Total Credit Points160

Pathway B - Spring intake

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Spring sessionCredit Points
Planning for Bushfire Prone Areas  
Note: From Spring 2022 ENGR 7016 is replaced by ENGR 6002 10
Planning for Bushfire Prone Areas  
BLDG 7008 Professional Practice and Building Law 10
 Credit Points20
Autumn session
ENGR 6001 Bushfire Design and Climate Change 10
(Workshop attendance in this subject is required)  
BLDG 7007 Interpreting Building Regulations (Residential Buildings) 10
 Credit Points20
Year 2
2H SESSION  
The following subject is not required for students intending to exit with the Graduate Diploma  
BLDG 7014 Construction Industry Practice A 20
SPRING SESSION  
BLDG 7004 Building in Bushfire Prone Areas 10
ENGR 7026 Performance Solutions for Bushfire Protection 10
1H SESSION  
The following subject is not required for students intending to exit with the Graduate Diploma  
BLDG 7015 Construction Industry Practice B 20
AUTUMN SESSION  
ARCH 7004 Planning and Development Control 10
PUBH 7007 Disaster and Emergency Management (PG) 10
(Workshop attendance in this subject is required)  
Students may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Bushfire Protection (40 credit points) with ENGR 7016, BLDG 7004, ARCH 7004 and BLDG 7007  
 Credit Points80
Year 3
Spring session
INFO 7010 Research Project A 20
 Credit Points20
Autumn session
INFO 7011 Research Project B 20
 Credit Points20
 Total Credit Points160

Pathway C - Spring intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Spring sessionCredit Points
BLDG 7004 Building in Bushfire Prone Areas 10
BLDG 7008 Professional Practice and Building Law 10
 Credit Points20
Autumn session
ENGR 6001 Bushfire Design and Climate Change 10
(Workshop attendance in this subject is required)  
ARCH 7004 Planning and Development Control 10
 Credit Points20
Year 2
2H SESSION  
The following subject is not required for students intending to exit with the Graduate Diploma  
BLDG 7014 Construction Industry Practice A 20
SPRING SESSION  
Planning for Bushfire Prone Areas  
Note: From Spring 2022 ENGR 7016 is replaced by ENGR 6002 10
Planning for Bushfire Prone Areas  
ENGR 7026 Performance Solutions for Bushfire Protection 10
1H SESSION  
The following subject is not required for students intending to exit with the Graduate Diploma  
BLDG 7015 Construction Industry Practice B 20
AUTUMN SESSION  
BLDG 7007 Interpreting Building Regulations (Residential Buildings) 10
PUBH 7007 Disaster and Emergency Management (PG) 10
(Workshop attendance in this subject is required)  
Students may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Bushfire Protection (40 credit points) with ENGR 7016, BLDG 7004, ARCH 7004 and BLDG 7007  
 Credit Points80
Year 3
Spring session
INFO 7010 Research Project A 20
 Credit Points20
Autumn session
INFO 7011 Research Project B 20
 Credit Points20
 Total Credit Points160

Exit Awards

Graduate Certificate in Bushfire Protection

Graduate Diploma in Bushfire Protection

Equivalent Subjects

The core subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2019 or earlier.

ENGR 7003 - Alternative Solutions for Bushfire Prone Areas, replaced by ENGR 7026 Performance Solutions for Bushfire Protection