We’re growing the Aboriginal Health workforce in Victoria
You have 65,000 years of experience.
Start a career in Aboriginal Health today.
As an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, you already have what it takes – 65,000 years of invaluable knowledge and experience in caring, building Community and creating spaces to thrive.
Working in an ACCO (Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation) calls for skills and experience that have to be lived to be learned. With 65,000 years of longstanding wisdom and culture to draw from, you are perfectly placed to start a career in Aboriginal Health.
Discover key roles in Aboriginal Health.
Aboriginal Health Practitioners
Aboriginal Health Practitioners provide a combination of clinical health and cultural services and supports within our Communities.
From birth to dreaming, they support the health and wellbeing of Community Members across their entire life journey.
“Having cultural expertise as well as the clinical skills and using them together really helps provide culturally safe care for our people.”
– Jessica Mitchell, Aboriginal Health Practitioner
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Supporting Community Members across the life course to be healthy and strong.
Aboriginal Health Practitioners are often the first point of contact when people visit our services. They have yarns about health, conduct health assessments to screen for any issues in physical health or social and emotional wellbeing, and ensure that Mob feel safe to share what’s happening in their lives. They work to connect people with the support they need.
Providing clinical healthcare services.
Aboriginal Health Practitioners work alongside doctors, nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals to offer a wide range of clinical services. These include:
- Supporting people to manage chronic conditions.
- Providing immunisations and administering some medications.
- Providing advanced first aid to people who need medical attention.
- Offering preventive oral healthcare, such as applying fluoride varnish to maintain healthy teeth.
- Helping people achieve healthcare goals, like quitting smoking or becoming more physically active.
- Ensuring regular eye and ear checks for overall health.
- Screening to detect cancers as early as possible.
Removing barriers for Community Members.
Aboriginal Health Practitioners also identify barriers that Mob might face when accessing healthcare and work to connect the wrap-around supports to address those barriers. Whether it’s helping an Elder get to a doctor’s appointment or supporting a family with food supplies, they collaborate with the broader healthcare team to address as many challenges as possible.
Why should I become an Aboriginal Health Practitioner?
Being an Aboriginal Health Practitioner means playing a vital role in providing culturally safe healthcare for Mob. It’s a rewarding job where you help Mob feel comfortable and confident, free from shame or judgement, while supporting them in finding and building on their strengths. Being able to support our own Communities to build the confidence and knowledge needed to look after our health is the deadliest job you could have.
How do I become an Aboriginal Health Practitioner?
To become an Aboriginal Health Practitioner, you must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Training involves completing a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice, which can be studied at VACCHO.
Doctors
Doctors work in many areas, from caring for mums and bubs to treating Elders and specialising in treating specific diseases and conditions. This work can take you to exciting places—hospitals, community health centres, or even working on Country with Mob.
“Caring is ingrained within, me and Mob and Community. Health work is a career that I get to practice that daily.”
– Taya Barnett, Trainee Doctor
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It’s a career full of opportunities to combine your passion and cultural knowledge with medical expertise, offering high-quality healthcare in any setting.
Becoming a doctor requires a medical degree from a university. All universities have Indigenous Units that provide support throughout your education journey. As you progress, you’ll be able to learn about the different areas of medicine and gain experience working in different healthcare settings. Eventually, you’ll choose the type of doctor you want to become. There are so many paths to choose from, so yarn with friends, family, and other doctors to find your calling!
Why should I become a Doctor?
Doctors, like all health professionals, change and save lives. In Aboriginal health, a great doctor is treasured by the Communities they work with. We need more Aboriginal doctors to continue growing the strength of Aboriginal leadership within every medical profession. While the journey to becoming a doctor might seem long and challenging, remember—you’ve got 65,000 years of knowledge and experience behind you – you can do it!
How do I become a Doctor?
There are many pathways into medicine. If you’re interested in becoming a doctor, contact us today, or have a yarn with one of the doctors at your local ACCHO! If you’re still in school, speak to a Careers Advisor to explore the different university pathways.
You can also reach out to the Indigenous Unit at any university to learn about available support and scholarships and find the best fit for you.
Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Workers support Mob on their healing journeys by providing culturally safe mental health and wellbeing services.
This includes counselling, addiction treatment, and support for those living with mental illness.
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Many SEWB Workers coordinate wrap-around support for individuals and families experiencing stress, which might include housing, case coordination, financial counselling, or family therapy.
For many people, healing is experienced through connection to Culture. Aboriginal SEWB Workers ensure that all their work is grounded in Culture, facilitating a sense of belonging within Community and building protective factors necessary for Mob to be strong in their Aboriginal identity.
Aboriginal Midwife
Aboriginal Midwives support mums and bubs, ensuring each new generation has the best possible start in life. They provide culturally safe care, supporting healthy pregnancies and positive early parenting experiences during the first 2,000 days of a baby’s life.
“As a midwife, every day I get to pass on the legacy of our traditional practices. Birth is sacred, and we need more people in healthcare who can nurture that.”
Tracey Stephens, Aboriginal Midwife
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Aboriginal Midwives work in a team alongside Aboriginal Health Practitioners and doctors, walking alongside families throughout pregnancy and the journey of welcoming Boorai. They do this while upholding continuous connections with Culture, passing on Aboriginal childbirth traditions, which have been practised by strong Aboriginal women for thousands of years.
Why should I become a Midwife?
Aboriginal Midwives hold a sacred role within Community as nurturers and givers of care. Working in Community, for Community, and welcoming Boorai into the world, is an extremely important and rewarding job. For 65,000 years, Aboriginal Midwives have upheld birthing and pregnancy traditions—it’s an incredible legacy to join.
How do I become a Midwife?
If you’re interested in becoming a midwife, contact us today, or have a yarn with the health team at your local ACCHO or speak to a Careers Advisor to explore the different pathways into midwifery.
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