Aboriginal Health

About the course

The Specialist Certificate in Empowering Health in Aboriginal Communities introduces students to health related knowledges from critical social science and Aboriginal cultural perspectives. It will specifically examine the integration, overlap, and disjuncture of Aboriginal knowledges and Western knowledges of health in which Aboriginal health services operate (focus of the first subject). Students are supported in the application of this learning to undertake a project within an Aboriginal community or organisation, allowing students to study and work in their communities for the development of both (undertaken as part of the second subject).

In undertaking this course, students will gain advanced understanding of how both Aboriginal and Western knowledges can be applied to the field of health in rural communities as well as community development and project management skills.

For full course information including course structure and entry requirements click below:

Learn more

Is this course suitable for me?

This course is suited to anyone passionate about the health of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and wanting to gain skills and a qualification to progress in their career. It is also suitable for leaders, managers or experienced professionals working in Aboriginal community controlled health organisations. Please feel free to discuss further with our team to see whether this course is suitable for you.

Course highlights

• Culturally safe space
• 12 month part-time course
• Remote study within your community
• Small cohort with individual support provided
• Pathway towards a university  qualification
• Earn 25 credit points towards the Master of Public Health

What financial support is available?

Financial assistance may be available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to undertake the Specialist Certificate in Empowering Health in Aboriginal Communities.

Financial assistance options will be discussed with you when you meet with the teaching team.

Who is eligible for financial assistance?

To be eligible for assistance you must:

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
• Apply for admission to the Specialist Certificate in Empowering Health in Aboriginal Communities and enrol in both subjects.
• Attend the full teaching intensives, actively participate in the course and submit the assignments in a timely manner.
• Not be receiving another full scholarship or financial support (other than Abstudy) for this course, from the University, your employer, government, or other bodies.

Application process

• Submit the application form and supporting documents (a copy of your CV and a written statement) to aboriginal-health@unimelb.edu.au.
• Applications must be submitted by 19 February 2027. They will be processed and allocated as they are received, so we suggest applying as early as possible.
• The application will be reviewed by the Department of Rural Health to ensure that eligibility criteria is met.
• You will be contacted to arrange a Zoom meeting with the teaching team to discuss your interests and aims for the course.
• After the meeting, you will be notified whether your financial support application has been successful.
• You will then have two weeks to complete your online application for the course with the University and receive a formal offer. We can assist you with this process. You will need to include a copy of your CV and a written statement.
• If you don't complete your formal application, the offer of financial assistance will lapse and could be made available to another applicant.
• If you don’t receive financial assistance, we hope you will still go ahead with your study, but you will be responsible for the cost of fees for completing the course (via Fee-Help, with your employer’s support or directly).