Training programs


For further information relating to courses and training programs in Indigenous health, view the HealthInfoNet Courses and Noticeboard pages

Edith Cowan University
Kurongkurl Katitjin - Graduate Certificate/Post Graduate Diploma of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.
Perth: Edith Cowan University

Kurongkurl Katitjin (KK) offers two courses of relevance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health:

These courses address the need for people working in the health care system to increase their knowledge, skills, and understanding of the special circumstances and health needs of Indigenous people. Both courses are offered on a part-time external basis.

The Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health provides students, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, with a thorough understanding of the historical, social and cultural factors contributing to the poor health status of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, an awareness of the sources of data and ways of assessing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and knowledge of current health status.

The Post Graduate Diploma of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health allows students to study Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status, the context and policy of Indigenous health, epidemiology, philosophy, principles, and practice of public health, and allows students to undertake a specific project or other study within the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Admission requirements include a relevant undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience or current employment in the field of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

For further information or to obtain an application form contact:

Kurongkurl Katitjin
Edith Cowan University
2 Bradford Street
Mt Lawley WA 6050
Phone: (08) 9370 6581
Freecall: 1800 648 994
Fax: (08) 9370 6055
Email: kk@ecu.edu.au

Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health (CUCRH)
Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Health Promotion.
Geraldton: Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health (CUCRH)
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The Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health (CUCRH), in partnership with Curtin University of Technology, developed and deliver the Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Health Promotion. By offering this course, CUCRH seeks to enhance the availability and relevance of post basic, tertiary level training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals working in rural and remote Western Australia. The course aims to increase the number of tertiary qualified Indigenous health promotion practitioners working in rural and remote communities.

The curriculum of the course focuses on promoting Indigenous practice in health promotion, drawing on practically orientated examples of best practice within Indigenous communities. Problem-based learning modules are utilised to achieve this. The course is based on four 25-credit point units covering planning, evaluation, strategies, methods and a project.

Only people of Aboriginal descent are eligible to apply for the course. Individuals with experience working in Aboriginal health, Aboriginal education or related disciplines are particularly encouraged to enrol.

For further information about the course or to apply contact:

Juli Coffin
CUCRH
PO BOX 109
Geraldton WA 6531
Ph: (08) 9956 0200
Email: julicoff@cucrh.uwa.edu.au

Curtin University
Centre for Aboriginal Studies - Indigenous courses.
Perth: Curtin University
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The Centre offers courses for Indigenous Australian, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people. These courses focus on increasing the skills and abilities needed when working within both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community.

The Centre is actively engaged in educating non-Indigenous people about the diverse and rich culture and history of Indigenous Australian people, and about the social and political issues that affect and concern them. The Indigenous Australian Cultural Studies Programme offer courses to non-Indigenous and Indigenous people.

Curtin University offers a range of tertiary courses, and is actively increasing the participation of Aboriginal and Islander students in higher education. Accordingly, there are a range of different modes of entry for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wishing to study at Curtin. The Centre for Aboriginal Studies provides a range of support services for these students, and is actively engaged in ensuring that these courses make provision for the specific needs and concerns of Aboriginal students. Curtin University has the highest number of Indigenous students of any university in Australia.

For further information about any of these courses contact:

Centre for Aboriginal Studies
Curtin University of Technology
GPO Box U 1987
Perth WA 6845
Ph: (08) 9266 7091
Fax: (08) 9266 2888

Kalgoorlie Bega Garnbirringu Health Services
Advanced Certificate in Aboriginal Health Work (AHCWA).
Kalgoorlie Bega Garnbirringu Health Services
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The Learning Centre offers the Advanced Certificate in Aboriginal Health Work (AHCWA) Aboriginal Health Worker course.

For further information about the course contact:

Deanne Lewis
Kalgoorlie Bega Garnbirringu Health Services
Learning Centre
Ph: (08) 9091 3199
Fax: (08) 9091 1039

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council
School of Health Studies.
Broome: Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council

The KAMSC School of Health Studies offers accredited training in Aboriginal health work for Aboriginal people from across the North West of Western Australia. The School has two campuses located in Broome and Kununurra.

KAMSC offers courses in:

Courses are competency based and nationally accredited. They include the Certificate III in Aboriginal Health Care Work and Certificate IV in Aboriginal Primary Health Care Practice. The emphasis is on supervised practical skills acquisition and block mode formal studies.

The courses offer education in the following areas:

  • Clinical application
  • Population health
  • Emergency training
  • Counselling
  • Medicines and how they work
  • Occupational health and safety
  • Senior First Aid
  • Office Administration

For further information view the School of Health information pamphlet (PDF - 0.98MB - large file warning!) or contact:

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council
Student Service Officer
PO Box 1377
Broome WA 6725
Phone: (08) 9193 6043
Fax: (08) 9192 2500
Email: LynetteM@kamsc.org.au

Marr Mooditj Aboriginal Health College
Marr Mooditj Foundation courses.
Waterford: Marr Mooditj Foundation
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Marr Mooditj Foundation is an organisation dedicated to the education and training of Aboriginal people in Primary Health Care. The Foundation's Charter extends beyond the initial teaching and encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in the health and community services field to continue to seek further training to further develop skills and experience which will enhance and increase opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. This will allow for a fuller engagement in the economic, social and cultural life of Australia, with the same range of choices available as other Australians.

Marr Mooditj Foundation offers the following courses:

  • First Aid Training (St John Ambulance Australia)
  • Basic Life Support
  • Caring for Kids First Aid
  • Senior First Aid
  • Certificate III in Community Services
  • Home and Community Care (HACC)
  • Mental Health Work
  • Certificate III in Aboriginal Primary Health Care Work
  • Certificate IV in Aboriginal Primary Health Care Work
  • Diploma of Aboriginal Primary Health Care
  • Diploma of Aboriginal Mental Health Care
  • Diploma in Lifestyle (Cardiovascular, Diabetes and Renal)
  • Diploma in Women's, Maternal and Child Health Care

Marr Mooditj Foundation observes and abides by the Equal Opportunity guidelines.

For further information:

Marr Mooditj Foundation
295 Manning Road
Waterford WA 6152

PO Box 1030
Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983
Ph: (08) 9351 9344
Fax: (08) 9350 6830
Email: enquiries@marr-mooditj.com.au

National Heart Foundation
Heart health training for Aboriginal health workers
Perth: Heart Foundation
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In 1997 the Heart Foundation (WA Division) and Perth Aboriginal Medical Service (now Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service) developed a training course to address cardiovascular disease among Aboriginal people in Western Australia. The course in cardiovascular health for Aboriginal health workers (ASF Level 5) is the first of its kind in Australia and has been nationally accredited and registered. The course aims to provide Aboriginal health workers with the knowledge and skills to conduct heart disease prevention programs in their communities.

The course consists of 55 education sessions over two weeks of full-time study. Each of the risk factors for heart disease is covered in detail, as well as several health promotion skills. Further modules focus on taking action in different settings, such as working with individuals, schools, institutions, families, communities and special groups. The Heart Foundation and Derbarl Yerrigan are eager to extend the course throughout WA in the future. Presenter and participant manuals are currently being compiled.

For further information:

Lyn Dimer
Ph: (08) 9382 5924
Fax: (08) 9388 3383
Email: Lyn.Dimer@heartfoundation.com.au

University of Western Australia
Aboriginal Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Programme.
Crawley: University of Western Australia
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The Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health (CAMDH) was established to assist the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry in the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal students in Medicine and Dentistry, and provides academic and social support for Aboriginal students. CAMPDH also assist departments in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry with teaching on Aboriginal health issues, and endeavours to improve links between Aboriginal organisations and departments within the Faculty.

The Centre of Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health together with the School of Indigenous Studies (formerly The Centre of Aboriginal Programmes), run a summer Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Programme for prospective Medicine and Dentistry students each year. The programme is one month in duration and is held at the University of Western Australia in January/Febuary each year.

The Aboriginal Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Programme is aimed primarily at people considering entering Medicine or Dentistry immediately after completion. This course is also available to people who are unsure if they are ready for Medicine or who are unsure if entering a degree in Medicine is what they really want. The Programme also assesses the academic level of students and aids in determining if further assistance is required following completion.

Upon completion students may:

  • enrol in Medicine directly on a full-time basis
  • enrol in first year Medicine over two years
  • enrol in a Bachelor of Science course (this can lead to other career options in the medical and paramedical field
  • choose to undertake one year further study in the Aboriginal Orientation Course to prepare for Medicine, Dentistry, or other University courses

For further information about the programme or to participate contact:

Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health
University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley WA 6009
Ph: (08) 6488 2038 or (08) 6488 3428
Fax: (08) 6488 1100
Email: camdh@uwa.edu.au

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Last updated: 13 July 2006