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Training programs for Aboriginal people

NSW Health has a range of training programs to support the health career pathways of Aboriginal staff.

Aboriginal Population Health Training Initiative

The NSW Aboriginal Population Health Training Initiative (APHTI) started in 2011. The Initiative is delivered in a partnership between the NSW Ministry of Health and the population health services within the Local Health Districts across NSW.

APHTI is funded by the NSW Government as part of its commitment to the National Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health

Traineeships for APHTI are available for suitable Aboriginal candidates who have a tertiary qualification which meets the requirements for enrolment in a Master of Public Health. They are recruited by the Local Health Districts and undertake 3 years of full-time population health work while undertaking part time study (one day a week).

More information

For more information on the Aboriginal Population Health Training Initiative.


Paramedic: NSW Ambulance


There is a range of career and training opportunities available for Aboriginal people wanting to enter NSW Health's Ambulance Service of NSW.

A designated pathway is available for Australian Aboriginal people to apply for employment as a Trainee Paramedic, Qualified Paramedic, Trainee Patient Transport Officer or Trainee Control Centre Officer.

More information

For more information, Australian Aboriginal job applicants are encouraged to contact the Aboriginal Employment Coordinator, Callista Bryan, for more information on (02) 9320 7644 or via email to: callista.bryan@health.nsw.gov.au.

Visit the Ambulance Service of NSW to find out more.


ABORIGINAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM

Research has highlighted environmental health conditions, particularly the failure of existing housing and health infrastructure in many Aboriginal communities, as being an important contributor to the higher rates of infection, injuries and chronic disease in Aboriginal people.

The Aboriginal Environmental Health Unit works closely with Public Health Units and other agencies across the State to manage a range of projects and interagency programs to address environmental health issues in Aboriginal communities, including:

The NSW Health Aboriginal Environmental Health Officer Training Program was developed to build an Aboriginal workforce with the leadership and technical skills to progress environmental health issues into the future.

Trainees are employed full-time by a Public Health Unit or Local Government Council as a Trainee Environmental Health Officer in urban, rural and remote NSW. At the same time, they undertake a six-year, Bachelor of Natural Science (Environmental and Health) degree by distance learning through the University of Western Sydney.

The program covers the cost of travel and expenses associated with the trainee's employment or study. Course fees (including HECS) for a full degree course load and any other associated costs (including textbooks, technical equipment, tuition and graduation costs) are met by NSW Health and partner council and/or a Public Health Unit (PHU).

Trainees are given the opportunity to actively participate in a wide range of environmental health issues.

Advertisements for the Traineeships are placed by the employing PHU's and Councils on the NSW Health and general recruitment websites, Australian Indigenous Health Infonet and in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Media such as Koori Mail, Indigenous Times and Tracker magazine.

More information

Find out more information on the Aboriginal Environmental Health Officer Training Program.

To make an enquiry phone (02) 9391 9790 or email: enhwu@doh.health.nsw.gov.au


NSW Ministry of Health Aboriginal Policy Pathway Program

The Aboriginal Policy Pathway Program has been established to support the career pathway of Aboriginal health workers into the Ministry, in a policy analyst role.

The aims of the Program include:

  • Build the health policy knowledge and skills of participants, in the context of practice in the Ministry
  • Increase the proportion of Aboriginal staff working in the health system, in line with the NSW Health Aboriginal Workforce Strategic Framework 2011 - 2015
  • Maximise the reach, sustainability, cultural appropriateness and effectiveness of population health initiatives to improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal people in NSW


Participants in the program are employed in the Centre for Population Health in the Ministry of Health for two years. They complete a formal program of study and are supported in their policy work through a combination of formal and informal mentoring.

More information

For more information please email Mr Victor Tawil, Centre for Population Health: victor.tawil@doh.health.nsw.gov.au

DOWNLOAD FILEFLYER FOR THE ABORIGINAL POLICY PATHWAY PROGRAM


NSW ABORIGINAL MENTAL HEALTH WORKER TRAINING PROGRAM

This Program is a mental health traineeship program for Aboriginal people. It is an important workforce development strategy that aims to employ and train Aboriginal people as mental health professionals in NSW Local Health District (LHD) mental health services to further enhance the Aboriginal mental health workforce to support the needs of Aboriginal communities across New South Wales.

The program is made up of three elements:

  1. Workplace Training and Support

  2. Undertaking a recognised University degree - which has been agreed as the BHSc (MH) through the Djirruwang Program, CSU

  3. Undertaking mandatory Clinical Placements (and potential workplace rotations)

More information

For more information contact: Tom Brideson, State-wide Coordinator, Aboriginal Mental Health Workforce Program, on (02) 6369 8891 or email: Thomas.Brideson@health.nsw.gov.au

You can also contact the MHDAO Senior Policy Officer on (02) 9391 9728 or email: mhdao@doh.health.nsw.gov.au

NSW ABORIGINAL CLINICAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

NSW Aboriginal Clinical Leadership Program establishes Clinical Leaders in Aboriginal mental health in a number of Local Health Districts (LHD). Aboriginal Clinical Leaders play a vital role in supporting the rapidly emerging Aboriginal mental health workforce, including trainees; promoting mental health service use by Aboriginal people, and assisting services to provide culturally appropriate care to Aboriginal communities.

The program is an essential part of the continuity and support of the NSW Aboriginal Mental Health Worker Training Program which provides permanent full-time NSW Health trainee positions for Aboriginal people. The trainees undergo supervised workplace training and clinical placements over three years, while concurrently completing a bachelor's degree.

Please visit the website at: Aboriginal Mental Health Workforce Program

More information

For more information contact: Tom Brideson, State-wide Coordinator, Aboriginal Mental Health Workforce Program, on (02) 6369 8891 or email: Thomas.Brideson@health.nsw.gov.au

You can also contact the MHDAO Senior Policy Officer on (02) 9391 9728 or email: mhdao@doh.health.nsw.gov.au

Other training programs

There is a range of other NSW Health training programs available for staff. For any further information on training opportunities for Aboriginal people, visit the Ministry of Health's Aboriginal Workforce Unit webpage.