Aboriginal Health Worker - Education and Training

In the early 1980’s Aboriginal Health Workers received training through Koori Kollij in Melbourne.  This training was the result of a successful collaboration between South Eastern Aboriginal and Islander Organisation (NSW, Victoria and Tasmania) and the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, supported by National Aboriginal Islander Health Organisation.  Curriculum and selection criteria were developed through consultation with south eastern Australian Aboriginal communities.   Doctors and Aboriginal people delivered the training.   Koori Kollij received an initial grant from a trust fund, and received no government funding until it was a proven success with students enrolling from interstate.  The Kollij folded in 1989 when the Commonwealth government withdrew funding after eight years claiming there were not enough students, in contrast to numerous enrolment expected by the Kollij staff.  (VACCHO, The Long Journey: Colonialism, Community-Control & Indigenous Autonomy)

Ten years later, VACCHO conducted a training needs analysis with member organisations to see what training was required and how it was to be delivered.  Members opted for VACCHO to become a Registered Training Organisation to deliver AHW training.  VACCHO sourced NSW TAFE courses, based on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker competencies (1996).  (Adams, K. & Spratling M., Future Directions for Aboriginal Health Worker Training in Victoria, VACCHO, 1999)

Aboriginal Health Workers from across Victoria completed Certificate 3, 4 and Diploma of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.  Some Aboriginal Health Workers specialised in Social and Emotional Well-being (Diploma) and Indigenous Womens’ & Babies’ Health (Certificate IV).

VACCHO members and staff contributed to the review of the 1996 national competencies, and for the first time the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker competencies were included in a National Training Package with other health professions such as Division 2 Nursing and (HLT07).

The majority of Aboriginal Health Workers in Gippsland have completed training in either:

• Certificate 3 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care;
• Certificate 4 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary health Care (Community) or (Practice)

The Certificate 3 provides a broad range of skills for a primary health care worker who works as part of a team with ongoing supervision and guidance.  The skills include working with Aboriginal communities and individual patients, working in a health service, and undertaking basic health assessment

Certificate 4 provides 2 optional pathways either Practice or Community Care.  Aboriginal health Workers who complete the Certificate IV are qualified to provide a range of primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients, including specific health care programs.

For more information about the training requirements for Aboriginal Health Workers.

Education and Training Unit, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation www.vaccho.org.au/programs/education-training/
Community Services Health Industry Skills Council www.cshisc.com.au

(back to overview)