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National code: HLT30121

Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care

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Overview About this course

Gain the skills and experience to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People with high-quality and culturally safe healthcare services. Be part of an industry contributing to closing the gap and providing better health outcomes.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Work effectively in a primary healthcare support role within an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health service

  • Communicate effectively and support clients to access services

  • Follow instructions from authorised primary healthcare team members to support the safe use of medication

  • Work legally and ethically, and apply safe work practices and infection prevention

  • Recognise and promote healthy body functioning

Course outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • A nationally accredited qualification at a Certificate III level

  • A pathway to further study in Aboriginal healthcare

  • Ability to engage with clients to provide healthy lifestyle information and access to healthcare services

  • Confidence to communicate and work in health or community services

  • The ability to work under supervision to support the safe use of medications

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • Must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, must identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and be accepted within your community as evidenced by: A Confirmation of Aboriginality letter or alternative form of evidence of Aboriginality

  • Before your first day of class you must complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test and achieve a score of 12 across the five bands of literacy and 2 across one band of numeracy. This helps us to determine that your skills match the demands of the course, to direct you to an alternative study option or to provide you with the appropriate support for your success. Your teacher will let you know when this must be completed.

Completion requirements

During your study you’ll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:

  • A valid Australian Working with Children Check (WWCC)

  • An Australian National Police Record Check (NPC)

  • Vaccination, occupational assessment and other screen requirements as stipulated in the NSW Ministry of Health

  • Any additional evidence your work placement provider requires

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • A caring and compassionate nature

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills

  • Access to a computer and the internet to participate in virtual delivery

  • A desire to give back to your community

  • Adequate physical fitness level to perform 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on an adult and infant manikin, perform CPR at floor level on an adult manikin and respond to an emergency where there may be a risk to life. If you are unable to achieve this, you will be provided additional support or directed to more suitable courses.

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker and working in a range of healthcare settings including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community organisations, and the public or private health sector, primary healthcare, aged care, disability care, health promotion and education.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 0 Courses

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

The Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care does not have any pre-requisite courses.

Further study 1 Course

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

Related study 0 Courses

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

The Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care does not have any related courses.

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 15 units of competency, including 9 core and 6 speciality units.

Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.

Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

  • Communicate and work in health or community services CHCCOM005

  • Work legally and ethically CHCLEG001

  • Support clients to access health services HLTAADV001

  • Recognise healthy body systems HLTAAP001

TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

  • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

  • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

  • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

  • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

  • TAFE NSW Libraries

  • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

  • Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home

  • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

  • Student associations – get social with our student community

Study options Find a location to enrol

Choose from the below study options and locations to discover what works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites and compare courses.