HLT40221 - Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice
Overview
Advance your career in Indigenous health by studying a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice with CQUniversity.
HLT40221 Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice reflects the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners.
It is specific to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people who work as part of a multidisciplinary health care team providing primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities. They provide culturally safe health and wellbeing promotion, preventative health care and clinical treatment services in a diversity of locations including urban, rural and remote settings.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners use initiative and judgement within the parameters of practice standards, treatment protocols and clinical supervision arrangements established by the employing organisation.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners are registered through Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia (ATSIHPBA) - only when registered, can practitioners use the protected title of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner. However, registration is not automatically linked to an individual’s certification in this qualification. Current requirements for practitioners to complete an accredited program of study, and how training organisations accredit their program, are managed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Accreditation Committee (ATSIHPAC).
NOTE: CQU holds AHPRA accreditation for HLT40221 Certificate IV in Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care.
This is a nationally recognised course.
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CQUniversity’s strong focus on student experience ensures that you are prepared and supported on your student journey. Support services include on-campus or online orientation to assist your transition into university life, course and career advice, financial support options, study support, ongoing assistance through the Student Mentor program, counselling services, support for students with disability or medical conditions, Indigenous student support and more.
Career Opportunities
This qualification provides a pathway to work in a range of health care settings including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community organisations, and the public or private health sector. Aboriginal Health Practitioners form part of a team providing clinical and primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients, families and community groups. They work with patients, clients and visitors to hospitals and health clinics and assist in arranging, coordinating and providing health care in community health clinics. Roles could include Aboriginal Health Practitioner, Health Worker (Generalist), Outreach Worker, Mental Health Worker, Family Health Worker, Sexual Health Worker, Education Officer, Hospital Liaison Officer, Drug and Alcohol Worker, Environmental Health Worker, Community Worker, Healthy Living Worker, Vascular Health Worker, Pharmacy Health Worker, Maternal and Perinatal Health Worker, Otitis Media Health Worker, Nutrition Health Worker, Eye Care Coordinator or Primary Health Care Practice Manager.
Structure & Availability
Standard Course Structure
Duration:
Core
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| HLTINF006 | Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control |
| HLTWHS001 | Participate in workplace health and safety |
| CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
| HLTASEW002 | Assess and support the social and emotional wellbeing of clients |
| HLTAHCS004 | Complete comprehensive physical health assessments |
| HLTAWOR004 | Provide support to address social and cultural determinants of client and community health |
| HLTAHCS006 | Implement complex health care plans |
| HLTAWOR002 | Work in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care |
| HLTAADV002 | Support the rights and needs of clients |
| CHCCOM002 | Use communication to build relationships |
| HLTAHPR007 | Promote lifestyle change |
| HLTAMED002 | Support the safe use of medications |
| HLTAMED003 | Administer medications |
| HLTAWOR003 | Use and promote reflective practice in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care |
Elective
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| HLTAID011 | Provide First Aid |
| HLTASXH002 | Promote women’s sexual health |
| HLTAHCS010 | Provide support to clients with chronic disease |
| HLTASXH001 | Promote men’s sexual health |
| CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care |
| CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
RPL Structure
Duration:This structure provides the opportunity for experienced workers to have their knowledge, skills and experience recognised.
Core
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| HLTAMED003 | Administer medications |
| HLTAMED002 | Support the safe use of medications |
| HLTAWOR003 | Use and promote reflective practice in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care |
| HLTAHPR007 | Promote lifestyle change |
| HLTASEW002 | Assess and support the social and emotional wellbeing of clients |
| HLTAHCS006 | Implement complex health care plans |
| HLTAHCS004 | Complete comprehensive physical health assessments |
| HLTAWOR004 | Provide support to address social and cultural determinants of client and community health |
| HLTAADV002 | Support the rights and needs of clients |
| HLTAWOR002 | Work in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care |
| CHCCOM002 | Use communication to build relationships |
| CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
| HLTINF006 | Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control |
| HLTWHS001 | Participate in workplace health and safety |
Elective
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care |
| HLTASXH002 | Promote women’s sexual health |
| HLTASXH001 | Promote men’s sexual health |
| CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
| HLTAID011 | Provide First Aid |
| HLTAHCS010 | Provide support to clients with chronic disease |
Credit Structure
Duration:Credit transfer only
Credit Units
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
| HLTASXH002 | Promote women’s sexual health |
| CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care |
| HLTINF006 | Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control |
| HLTAWOR002 | Work in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care |
| HLTASXH001 | Promote men’s sexual health |
| HLTAHCS010 | Provide support to clients with chronic disease |
| HLTAID011 | Provide First Aid |
| HLTAMED002 | Support the safe use of medications |
| CHCCOM002 | Use communication to build relationships |
| HLTASEW002 | Assess and support the social and emotional wellbeing of clients |
| HLTAHCS006 | Implement complex health care plans |
| HLTAHCS004 | Complete comprehensive physical health assessments |
| HLTAWOR003 | Use and promote reflective practice in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care |
| HLTAADV002 | Support the rights and needs of clients |
| HLTAWOR004 | Provide support to address social and cultural determinants of client and community health |
| CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
| HLTWHS001 | Participate in workplace health and safety |
| HLTAHPR007 | Promote lifestyle change |
| HLTAMED003 | Administer medications |
QLD Health Primary Health Care Course Structure
Duration:| Full Time Duration |
|---|
| 69 weeks |
This program is typically delivered over a 69 week period, however as it is competency based, it may be possible for learners to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.
Core
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| HLTWHS001 | Participate in workplace health and safety |
| CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
| HLTINF006 | Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control |
| HLTAADV002 | Support the rights and needs of clients |
| HLTAWOR002 | Work in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care |
| HLTAWOR004 | Provide support to address social and cultural determinants of client and community health |
| CHCCOM002 | Use communication to build relationships |
| HLTAHCS006 | Implement complex health care plans |
| HLTAHCS004 | Complete comprehensive physical health assessments |
| HLTASEW002 | Assess and support the social and emotional wellbeing of clients |
| HLTAHPR007 | Promote lifestyle change |
| HLTAWOR003 | Use and promote reflective practice in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care |
| HLTAMED002 | Support the safe use of medications |
| HLTAMED003 | Administer medications |
Elective
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| HLTAID011 | Provide First Aid |
| HLTAHCS010 | Provide support to clients with chronic disease |
| HLTASXH002 | Promote women’s sexual health |
| HLTASXH001 | Promote men’s sexual health |
| CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence |
| CHCMHS007 | Work effectively in trauma informed care |
Standard Course Structure
| Intake | Locations |
|---|---|
| February, 2026 | Mixed Mode, Cairns, Rockhampton |
| July, 2026 | Mixed Mode, Cairns, Rockhampton |
| August, 2026 | Mixed Mode, Cairns |
| October, 2026 | Mixed Mode, Cairns, Rockhampton |
Standard Course Structure
| Residential School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Rockhampton North |
| Room | |
| Start Date | To Be Advised |
| End Date | To Be Advised |
| Start Time | To Be Advised |
| End Time | To Be Advised |
| Compulsory | Yes |
Residential schools for this course are conducted on the Rockhampton North campus. Throughout the duration of this course, students will be required to undertake 2 blocks of residential schools (4 days each). Residential school dates will be confirmed by your teacher in accordance with your commencement intake and course progression. Students are advised to confirm dates with their teacher prior to making travel and personal arrangements. | |
Students are required to complete 500 clinical placement hours to meet the requirements of the training package and AHPRA registration for Aboriginal Health Practitioners.
There is no requirement to be employed in a relevant health service prior to enrolment. Placement hours may be completed through one of the following pathways:
- A student’s current workplace (paid or voluntary), where appropriate
- A combination of workplace and CQUniversity-arranged placement
- Fully Work Integrated Learning (WIL) organised placement, coordinated by CQUniversity
All placement must be undertaken within an appropriate health service or organisation and under the supervision of a suitably qualified supervisor. Supervisors are required to verify student competency through workplace documentation, including third party reports or practical assessment workplace observations, which assess the student’s ability to perform required tasks in a real work environment. Some units include specific workplace-based tasks, as outlined in the assessment requirements.
Where a student is unable to access a suitable workplace, or where their workplace does not meet all learning requirements, CQUniversity’s WIL procedures will apply. The WIL team will source and coordinate placements in line with course requirements and student needs.
Students undertaking WIL-organised placements must complete all mandatory compliance checks (e.g. police checks, Blue Card, immunisation requirements, and any site-specific requirements) prior to placement allocation. While every effort is made to source placements within a student’s local community, there may be circumstances where travel or temporary relocation is required to complete placement requirements.
Placement may also be subject to:
- Successful completion of all mandatory checks
- Attendance at a pre-placement interview, if required by the host organisation
- Meeting any additional site-specific requirements set by the placement provider
Mandatory Check enquiries can be directed to WILCompliance@cqu.edu.au, and detailed information is available via the WIL documentation provided to students. Immunisations WIL Information.
Requirements
Students must be willing and able to complete 500 hours of clinical placement as specified in the training package and required for AHPRA registration as an Aboriginal Health Practitioner. Placement may be undertaken through one of the following pathways:
- A student’s current workplace (paid or voluntary), where appropriate
- A combination of workplace and CQUniversity arranged placement
- Fully Work Integrated Learning (WIL) organised placement, coordinated by CQUniversity
All placements must occur within an appropriate health service or organisation and be supervised by a suitably qualified supervisor, who is responsible for verifying student performance through workplace documentation, including third party reports and/or practical assessment workplace observation. These reports assess the student’s ability to perform required tasks in a real workplace setting. Some units within the course include specific workplace-based assessment requirements.
Students undertaking WIL-organised placements will be required to complete all mandatory compliance checks (e.g. police check, Blue Card, immunisations and other site-specific requirements) prior to placement allocation.
Additional entry requirements include:
- Completion of a Basic Key Skills Builder (bksb) online literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy assessment prior to enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher-level qualification
- Students must be 18 years of age upon completion of the course to be eligible for AHPRA registration
As this is an Indigenous-specific program, applicants must provide evidence of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity. The University accepts the following forms of verification:
(a) Certified copies of Confirmation of Identity documentation from a recognised Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community organisation
(b) Native Title documentation issued by a Prescribed Body Corporate naming the applicant or demonstrating familial or ancestral connection
(c) In the absence of (a) or (b), an original Statutory Declaration supported by two verification documents from recognised cultural referees
OR
(d) Evidence of employment in an identified Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander role.
Fees & Scholarships
Fee for Service/ Full Fee
Fee for Service/Full Fee occurs when the full tuition fee is charged to students. This may occur when the course is not included in government subsidy program/s or the student is not eligible for a government subsidy. These students are obligated to cover the entire cost. Learn more about Paying for TAFE.
Co-Contribution and Co-Contribution Concessional Fee
Some government-funded training programs, such as Certificate 3 Guarantee and Higher Level Skills, require students to contribute to the cost of their education through a co-contribution fee. This fee varies depending on the course and the student's eligibility for a concessional rate. Additional costs, such as uniforms and course resources, may also apply. More details on eligibility and exemptions can be found on How to Apply for TAFE Certificates and Diplomas.
Starting the 1st of July 2025, the Queensland Government is updating its TAFE subsidy offerings. Students commencing from this date will need to be reassessed, potentially requiring additional documentation to maintain their funding. Those who do not provide the necessary documents, or are no longer eligible, may lose their subsidy and continue as full-fee-paying students. For more information visit Paying for TAFE and review Important Changes to TAFE Subsidies from July 2025.
If you are unsure of your eligibility or wish to discuss your options further, please connect with us on 13 27 86.
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