Course Summary

Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice reflects the role of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners working to provide a range of clinical primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities. These services include,

• assessment and screening of health and social emotional well being
• advice and assistance with medication and administration of medication
• providing health care in line with care plans and/or treatment protocols
• advocating for clients, including interpreting and translating language providing advice, support and training on providing culturally safe health services to other health professionals

This qualification addresses the specific legislative responsibilities of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners and is required for national registration with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia.

CQU has applied for this course to be an approved program of study and for accreditation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board.

Entry Requirements

Students must be currently working in industry, in a clinical role to meet the 500 clinical hours requirements.

Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher level course.

Minimum age to apply is 17 years

Provide evidence of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Identity documentation.

This course is an Indigenous specific program that allows Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply for identified positions within the Health sector like Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health worker or Practitioner.

When you apply for proof of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage through an Indigenous organisation, they will probably ask you to explain your heritage to their committee or to provide documentation/information that confirms your heritage. For this reason it’s useful to find out as much as you can about your family history before you contact them. This is particularly important if you or your ancestors have been displaced from your heritage. This process can take some time, depending when the organisation has its meetings. A ‘letter of confirmation’ is usually obtained from an incorporated Indigenous organisation and must be stamped with their common seal.

Mandatory Clinical Placement Requirements: As per the CQU Immunisation Policy and for patient and student safety, checks are now mandatory for any placement Refer to the Clinical Placement Guidelines and Mandatory Checks Requirements for Clinical Placement for more details.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

The COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory to be eligible to attend a WIL placement for this course. Students will be required to provide evidence of having completed a COVID-19 vaccination schedule by the closing date prior to a WIL placement. The vaccine received must be a vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia.

Vocational Placement and Work Integrated Learning

Students must complete a Vocational Placement and/or Work Integrated Learning as part of this qualification.

Additional information

Course Details

Admission Codes

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

On completion of this course students will be eligible to apply for registration as an Aboriginal health practitioner with the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice board.

Aboriginal Health Practitioners form part of a team providing clinical and primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients, families and community groups. They work with patients, clients and visitors to hospitals and health clinics and assist in arranging, coordinating and providing health care in community health clinics.

Roles could include Aboriginal Health Practitioner, Health Worker (Generalist), Outreach Worker, Mental Health Worker, Family Health Worker, Sexual Health Worker, Education Officer, Hospital Liaison Officer, Drug and Alcohol Worker, Environmental Health Worker, Community Worker, Healthy Living Worker, Vascular Health Worker, Pharmacy Health Worker, Maternal and Perinatal Health Worker, Otitis Media Health Worker, Nutrition Health Worker, Eye Care Coordinator or Primary Health Care Practice Manager.