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Direct Client Care Work
ABORIGINAL AND/OR TORRES STRAIT
ISLANDER HEALTH WORK
> Qualifications & Pathways • Traineeships • VET In Schools • Peak Bodies & Key Stakeholders • Resources
NSW ContextThe HLT33207 Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care from the HLT07 Health Training Package is regarded as the minimum vocational entry level requirement for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health work. However, individuals may start at Certificate II level as an orientation to Aboriginal health work and progress to the Certificate III.
The Certificate III covers workers who provide health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients. They usually work as part of a team, with ongoing supervision and guidance. Workers at this qualification level are generally given the title Aboriginal Health Worker.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health work is an emerging area of work and occupational titles for those working in this area vary according to jurisdictional and workplace requirements. Registration requirements apply in some states and territories but at the moment there are no overall registration requirements in New South Wales. Some specific roles may require licensing or specific certificates such as in Audiometry.
The Certificate IV level qualifications provide for the Aboriginal Health Worker to work within a Community or a Practice setting and the qualifications structure reflects these different occupational roles. Workers may be working within an Aboriginal community controlled health care context such as an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) or within an area health or hospital context.
Aboriginal Health Workers may be involved in a range of health promotion and health care roles and settings. Areas in which an Aboriginal Health Worker may work include: chronic disease prevention and monitoring e.g. diabetes and cardio-vascular health, smoking cessation, nutrition, eye care, ear health, emotional and social wellbeing/Aboriginal mental health, bringing them home counselling, community health programs, men’s health, women’s health and sexual health.
Qualifications cover workers who provide a range of primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients, including specific health care programs. Those working within the HLT43907 Certificate IV Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Practice) stream may also be assisting with medication and in monitoring an individual’s health.
An Aboriginal Health Worker would be expected to flexibly assume a variety of job roles and undertake a broad range of tasks.
Occupational titles for workers at Certificate IV level may include, for example:
Immunisation: Health workers and learners undertaking work placement in NSW Health facilities must comply with the assessment, screening and vaccination requirements of Policy Directive PD 2007_006. Criminal Record Check (CRC) and Vulnerable Person: Health workers and learners undertaking work placement in NSW Health facilities must comply with Employment Screening Using Criminal Record Checks Policy Directive PD2005_552
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Qualifications and Pathways
HLT21307 Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
HLT33207 Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
HLT43907 Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Practice)
HLT44007 Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health (Community Care)
HLT52107 Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Practice)
HLT52207 Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health (Community Care)
HLT61207 Advanced Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Practice)
HLT61307 Advanced Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health (Community Care)
Traineeships
The Vocational Training Board establishes traineeships in NSW. Through a consultative process between peak industry groups, employers and unions, facilitated by the ITAB, qualifications are identified that meet industry requirements and have appropriate award arrangements. This information is submitted to the Board for the declaration of a vocational training order in accordance with NSW legislation.
As qualifications have a vocational training order established, they are posted on the NSW DET Commissioner’s Bulletin. Further advice is available from NSW DET http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au/index1.htm
Current Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health traineeships in NSW are:
HLT21307 Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
HLT33207 Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
HLT43907 Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Practice)
HLT44007 Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health (Community Care)
New payroll tax arrangements for apprentices and trainees
New arrangements for the payment of payroll tax for apprentices and trainees in NSW take effect from 1 July 2008.
Currently, wages paid to apprentices and new entrant trainees in NSW are exempt from payroll tax. From 1 July 2008, this exemption will no longer apply and all employers will be required to include the wages and salaries paid to apprentices and new entrant trainees in their payroll tax calculation. Further information available from Office of State Revenue click here
VET in Schools
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Work qualifications in the HLT07 Health Training Package have not been identified as suitable for VET in Schools pathways.
For more information about VET in Schools in NSW visit: https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/vetinschools/
The NSW Board of Studies is responsible for the inclusion of training package qualifications in the HSC studies. Further information is available at www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au .
Peak Bodies and Key Stakeholders
Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of New South Wales (AH&MRC)-
The peak body for Aboriginal health in NSW and is comprised of over 60 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations throughout the state.
The AH&MRC is the NSW affiliate of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) - the peak national Aboriginal health organisation representing over 130 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) across the country.
The activities of the Council focus on the provision of support and assistance to member organisations to provide culturally appropriate holistic primary health care for the improvement of Aboriginal health, assist ACCHSs, support community controlled health initiatives, liaise with non-Aboriginal agencies and evaluate, develop and advise on the wide range of health programs, policies, strategies and appropriate educational courses in Aboriginal health.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Registered Training Organisation Network (ATSIHRTON)
The national network of Aboriginal Community Controlled RTOs delivering Aboriginal health courses/training. Its goal is to achieve a sustainable national network based on Aboriginal community-controlled health philosophy that builds the capacity of its member RTOs to drive education and training for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce. The Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW through its Aboriginal Health College is a key member.
NSW Department of Health
NSW Health is the state government body primarily responsible for the planning and provision of health services within NSW. NSW Health and the AH&MRC work together under the NSW Aboriginal Health Partnership Agreement, originally signed in 1995 and revised and re-signed in 1996/97 and 2000/01.
Collaborative Centre for Aboriginal Health Promotion
The establishment of the Collaborative Centre for Aboriginal Health Promotion provides a prime opportunity to enhance the delivery of more effective and sustainable health promotion programs for Aboriginal people and their communities in NSW.
Justice Health Service
Justice Health is a specialist entity within the NSW Health department. It has the responsibility of providing health care to inmates in New South Wales' correctional centres, periodic detention centres and a number of police cell complexes. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are over-represented in the correctional system and the AH&MRC and Justice Health work together under a signed Memorandum of Understanding to improve their health care and health outcomes. Many member Services of the AH&MRC deliver primary health care and health related services directly to Aboriginal people in correctional institutions in NSW.
Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA)
NSW government department that works with Aboriginal people, government agencies, and the private and community sectors to promote the interests of Aboriginal people in NSW and reduce the inequity they continue to experience as a result of colonisation.
Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations of NSW
The Coalition provides input to the NSW post-ATSIC planning and administrative arrangements and the Premier’s New Ways of Doing Business.
Council of Social Service of New South Wales (NCOSS)
NCOSS is the peak body for the social and community services sector in NSW. More than 800,000 people in New South Wales live in poverty and NCOSS, as an advocate for their social needs, works closely with the AH&MRC in seeking social justice for Aboriginal communities in NSW. The AH&MRC and NCOSS are developing a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure that the two organisations collaborate effectively to achieve social justice for Aboriginal people
Resources
Please contact NSW Community Services and Health ITAB regarding training and assessment resource needs for the qualifications or skills sets in this industry sector.
NSW Community Services and Health ITAB and NSW DET resources include:
Aboriginal Workers in Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs Work
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This resource was developed by CSH ITAB in consultation with key industry stakeholders and includes:
Available from www.skillsonline.net.au |
Other resources may be available from industry peaks, National Training Information Service (NTIS), Registered Training Organisations and Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council.
