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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners. 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.
They provide culturally safe health and wellbeing promotion, preventative health care and clinical treatment services in a diversity of locations including urban, rural and remote settings.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners use initiative and judgement within the parameters of practice standards, treatment protocols and clinical supervision arrangements established by the employing organisation.
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.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners are registered with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia (ATSIHPBA) and, only when registered, can use the protected title of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health practitioner. However, registration is not automatically linked to an individual’s certification in this qualification. Current requirements for practitioners to complete an accredited program of study, and how training organisations accredit their program, should be checked with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Accreditation Committee (ATSIHPAC).
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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 |
|---|---|
| Administer medications | Core |
| Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control | Core |
| Assess and support the social and emotional wellbeing of clients | Core |
| Complete comprehensive physical health assessments | Core |
| Implement complex health care plans | Core |
| Participate in workplace health and safety | Core |
| Promote lifestyle change | Core |
| Provide support to address social and cultural determinants of client and community health | Core |
| Support the rights and needs of clients | Core |
| Support the safe use of medications | Core |
| Use and promote reflective practice in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care | Core |
| Use communication to build relationships | Core |
| Work in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care | Core |
| Work legally and ethically | Core |
| Administer and coordinate Telehealth services | Elective |
| Apply and use basic oral health products | Elective |
| Apply fluoride varnish | Elective |
| Assess and respond to medical emergencies | Elective |
| Assess children's health | Elective |
| Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues | Elective |
| Collect pathology specimens other than blood | Elective |
| Communicate and work in health or community services | Elective |
| Complete routine physical health assessments | Elective |
| Conduct audiometric screening for young school age children | Elective |
| Conduct audiometric testing | Elective |
| Conduct basic audiometric testing | Elective |
| Contribute to planning and implementation of care services using a palliative approach | Elective |
| Deliver care services using a palliative approach | Elective |
| Determine and implement disease prevention and control measures | Elective |
| Facilitate access to tertiary health services | Elective |
| Identify and report children and young people at risk | Elective |
| Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection | Elective |
| Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide | Elective |
| Inform and support patients and groups about oral health | Elective |
| Manage personal stressors in the work environment | Elective |
| Perform venous blood collections | 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 community awareness of domestic and family violence | Elective |
| Promote men's sexual health | Elective |
| Promote women's sexual health | Elective |
| Provide alcohol and other drugs withdrawal services | Elective |
| Provide antenatal health care | Elective |
| Provide brief interventions | 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 health care for children | Elective |
| Provide information and support on environmental health issues | Elective |
| Provide information on smoking and smoking cessation | Elective |
| Provide intervention support to families | Elective |
| Provide interventions to clients who are nicotine dependent | Elective |
| Provide person-centred services to people with disability with complex needs | 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 chronic disease | 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 |
| Support the rights and needs of clients in the justice system | Elective |
| Use basic oral health screening tools | Elective |
| Work according to the principles of social and emotional wellbeing care | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice 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
Training providers delivering Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice
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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CQUniversity Australia (RTO code 40939)
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)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Limited (RTO code 40142)
Contact this provider
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Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (RTO code 0383)
Contact this provider
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Queensland Ambulance Service (RTO code 5285)
Contact this provider
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RURAL MEDICAL EDUCATION AUSTRALIA (RTO code 45542)
Contact this provider
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VACCHO (RTO code 20739)
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.