This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification reflects the role of individuals working as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers in a diversity of locations including urban, rural and remote settings. It is specific to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people who work as part of a multidisciplinary health care team providing primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities.
At this level work is governed by defined practice standards, treatment protocols and supervision arrangements established by the employing organisation. Individuals work with some level of independence within those guidelines, and use a range of health-related skills and knowledge in routine and non-routine situations. They communicate with diverse individuals and small groups both in the local community and across the broader health sector to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
This qualification provides a pathway to work in a range of health care settings including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community organisations, and the public or private health sector.
The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.
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On-the-job training
- Apprenticeships and traineeships are not available for this course.
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Qualification only:
6 months – 2 years
- Qualification only:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control | Core |
| Assess and support the social and emotional wellbeing of clients | Core |
| Complete routine physical health assessments | Core |
| Gather information and report on community health | Core |
| Implement basic health care plans | Core |
| Participate in workplace health and safety | Core |
| Promote lifestyle change | Core |
| Reflect on and improve own professional practice | Core |
| Support the rights and needs of clients | Core |
| Support the safe use of medications | Core |
| Use communication to build relationships | Core |
| Work in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care | Core |
| Work legally and ethically | Core |
| Work under instructions to support the safe use of medications | Core |
| Administer and coordinate Telehealth services | Elective |
| Apply and use basic oral health products | Elective |
| Assess readiness for and effect behaviour change | Elective |
| Deliver care services using a palliative approach | Elective |
| Facilitate access to tertiary health services | Elective |
| Identify and report abuse | Elective |
| Identify and report children and young people at risk | Elective |
| Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide | Elective |
| Inform and support patients and groups about oral health | Elective |
| Make presentations | Elective |
| Participate in a rescue operation | Elective |
| Process emergency incident calls and enquiries | Elective |
| Promote awareness and early detection of cancer to men | Elective |
| Promote awareness and early detection of cancer to women | Elective |
| Promote awareness and early detection of diabetes | Elective |
| Promote awareness and prevention of chronic disease | Elective |
| Promote men's sexual health | Elective |
| Promote women's sexual health | Elective |
| Provide advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy | Elective |
| Provide brief interventions | Elective |
| Provide domestic and family violence support in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities | Elective |
| Provide ear health care | Elective |
| Provide eye health care | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Provide First Aid in remote or isolated site | Elective |
| Provide information on smoking and smoking cessation | Elective |
| Provide intervention support to families | Elective |
| Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues | Elective |
| Provide interventions to clients who are nicotine dependent | Elective |
| Provide needle and syringe services | Elective |
| Provide person-centred services to people with disability with complex needs | Elective |
| Provide support to address social and cultural determinants of client and community health | Elective |
| Provide support to children affected by domestic and family violence | Elective |
| Provide support to clients affected by loss, grief or trauma | Elective |
| Provide support to clients experiencing alcohol and other drugs problems | Elective |
| Provide support to clients with diabetes | Elective |
| Provide support to men with cancer | Elective |
| Provide support to older clients | Elective |
| Provide support to people living with dementia | Elective |
| Provide support to women with cancer | Elective |
| Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence | Elective |
| Recognise and respond to crisis situations | Elective |
| Recognise and respond to oral health issues | Elective |
| Respond effectively to behaviours of concern | Elective |
| Respond to community disasters | Elective |
| Support the rights and safety of children and young people | Elective |
| Undertake road crash rescue | Elective |
| Use basic oral health screening tools | Elective |
| Work collaboratively to maintain an environment safe for children and young people | Elective |
| Work in an alcohol and other drugs context | Elective |
| Work with clients who are intoxicated | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Indigenous Health Worker
ANZSCO 411511
Indigenous Health Workers assist with the coordination and provision of health care delivery to Indigenous communities.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Aged and Disabled Carer
ANZSCO 423111
Provide companionship and practical support to aged and disabled persons in their own homes
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Personal Care Assistant
ANZSCO 423313
Personal Care Assistants provide routine personal care services to people in a range of health care facilities or in a person's home.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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TAFE QUEENSLAND (RTO code 0275)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Health Industry Training Queensland (RTO code 32145)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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ABORIGINAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF NEW SOUTH WALES (RTO code 91020)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.