The EarTrain Program
EarTrain is a fully funded online program for primary health professionals treating otitis media and hearing conditions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Delivered nationwide by TAFE NSW, funded by the Australian Government and part of Closing the Gap until 30 June, 2026.
About EarTrain
The EarTrain program will provide:
- flexible blended learning through online and face-to-face workshops to fit your schedule
- practical skills to perform hearing assessments to make a real difference in patient care
- mentorship and support from experienced audiologists and health professionals to build your confidence
- an option to earn the nationally recognised qualification, Statement of Attainment in Conduct Play Audiometry (HLTAUD002), upon completion of additional skills workshops and assessments
Program eligibility
If you are a primary health care professional providing care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, you are eligible to participate in the EarTrain program.
Frequently asked questions
This fully funded program aims to upskill health workers in ear health and hearing health. The program is available online for participants to work through in their own time. Additionally, we deliver practical skills workshops in local communities across Australia. We customise our workshops to meet local needs, and work with people across all experience levels: from those who have never looked in an ear through to those seeking a refresher in skills.
Participants can earn digital certificates for completing online skills. Participants who complete skills logbooks in practical sessions will receive a certificate for these skills.
If you are a primary health care professional providing care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, you are eligible to participate in the EarTrain program.
- Ear Health by the Australian Government - This website provides information, initiatives and resources about ear health in Australia.
- Care for Kids Ears - This website aims to raise awareness of ear disease and hearing loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It provides free access to resources for parents and carers, teachers, early childhood groups, and health professionals.
- PLUM & HATS - This website provides simple checklists to help health and early childhood workers ask the right questions about bub’s listening and speaking skills.
- Otitis Media Guidelines - The 2020 Otitis Media Guidelines assist primary health care providers with the delivery of comprehensive, effective and appropriate care for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people with otitis media (ear infections).
The EarTrain program is available Australia-wide.
Teachers and childcare workers are welcome to register to EarTrain to access the online content, however Practical skills workshops will not be relevant.
If you enrol in the nationally accredited unit of competency HLTAUD002 Conduct Play Audiometry, and complete all of the requirements, you will receive a national accreditation. Be sure to select the option on the registration page, “I am interested in enrolling in the National Unit of Competency, HLTAUD002 Conduct play Audiometry”. If you don’t select this option, there is an opportunity to show your interest through the online platform.
It can take approximately 4 to 31 hours, depending on your job role and recommended learning. There are also clock symbols on all topics that show how long it will roughly take to complete each topic.
The program runs until 30 June 2026. You can study until the program end date.
Yes you can. There is a downloadable mobile app for the platform. You can download topics when you are online and access these when you are offline. Your progress will then sync up to the platform when you are next online.
Yes, although we do recommend reviewing relevant topics prior to attending the workshop.
To be eligible to participate in the EarTrain program you must be a primary health care professional, providing care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
EarTrain is a fully funded program. However, while the online training and practical skills workshops are free, participants may incur travel, accommodation and other costs associated with attending a practical skills workshop.
The practical skills workshops are optional. However, the workshops are recommended for those who are directly involved with the assessment and treatment of ear health. If you wish to enrol in the nationally accredited unit HLTAUD002 Conduct Play Audiometry, you will be required to complete the practical skills workshops.
Participants can achieve a certificate of completion based on skills achieved in a Practical Skills Workshop.
You can contact the EarTrain Team via eartrain@tafensw.edu.au to discuss your questions.