Aboriginal health worker: career information
What is an Aboriginal health worker?
An Aboriginal health worker provides a vital link between Aboriginal communities and health care services.
As well as offering emergency care, they are trained to use their knowledge of Aboriginal culture and communities to promote good health practices within individual community groups.
Aboriginal health workers also assist and encourage Aboriginal people to take a strong role in controlling and managing their health.
What does an Aboriginal health worker do?
Aboriginal health workers have diverse roles that include providing:
- treatment for disease and injuries
- maintenance of health records
- language interpretation for clients
- cultural education to people outside communities
- counselling and referral for crisis problems
- input, planning, development and monitoring of health programs in their community
What pathways will enable me to become an Aboriginal health worker?
Note: some certificate courses may take longer through traineeships
What other jobs can a career in Aboriginal health lead to?
Aboriginal health workers can further their careers through jobs in the welfare and community care industries. These include:
- case work
- social work
- youth work
- aged care
- disability work
- nursing
Some minor additional training may be required for some of these positions.
How can I gain employment as an Aboriginal health worker?
You can enrol in a Certificate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Care through TAFE and VET in School programs.
You can choose to study a certificate with either a community care or clinical focus, depending on where you want to work.
Additional information
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations provides programs, training and support for Indigenous students.
In addition to VET in Schools programs, some Western Australian training organisations offer training in this course:
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Marr Mooditj (Perth) can be contacted on (08) 9351 9344 or go to www.marr-mooditj.com.au
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Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service Council can be contacted on (08) 9193 6043 or go to www.kamsc.org.au
- Bega Garnbirringu (Kalgoorlie) can be contacted on (08) 9091 3199 or go to www.bega.org.au
- Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia can be contacted on (08) 9227 1631 or go to www.ahcwa.org
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