Indigenous Community Health (Associate Degree)

Skilled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers are in demand. If you are already working in a health-related position, this course can increase your knowledge and skills to perform more effectively. You can learn the skills required to provide an alternative, inclusive approach to health management that acknowledges Indigenous healing practices.

This course also aims to empower you to become a role model for positive change in Indigenous health through the application of:
• Indigenous knowledge
• primary health care
• health promotion
• community development concepts and practice
• project development, implementation and evaluation.

This course is community-based to allow you to develop your skills in a community setting. Many of our students already work in the Aboriginal health industry and complete most of their study in the workplace.

You will attend four study blocks at the Bentley Campus each year, completing learning contracts between them. Travel and accommodation arrangements are made by our teaching staff and are funded by the Government.

When you complete this course you will be eligible to apply for entry into the third year of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Indigenous Community Health).

Why Indigenous Community Health (Associate Degree)?

• Be empowered to help ‘close the gap': Indigenous Australians currently have a life expectancy almost 20 years lower than other Australians. More indigenous professionals are needed in the health industry to work within their communities and provide holistic health care frameworks.
• You will be able to promote and apply indigenous knowledge and methods of working to health care.
• You'll develop culturally appropriate health project and health education skills in the broad areas of Indigenous Terms of Reference, primary health care, health promotion, project management, policy processes, community management and program evaluation.

Credit for previous study

If you have previously worked or studied in this field, you are encouraged to contact the Centre for Aboriginal Studies to discuss eligibility for recognition of prior learning.

Try our RPL search to find out what credit you might be eligible for.

• Australian & NZ students