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Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Health (Substance Use)

Course overview

The Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Health program aims to build the clinical, public health and academic capacity of Indigenous alcohol, tobacco and other drug workers to work in the prevention and treatment of harm associated with alcohol, tobacco and other drug disorders in the Indigenous community. The Graduate Certificate concentrates particularly on alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, opioids and injecting drug use. The Graduate Certificate covers the following areas of study:

  • Aboriginal Health Studies
  • Addiction Studies
  • Primary Health Care
  • Counselling
  • Public Health

The program is aimed at Australians of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage who work in the health sector and who wish to increase their expertise and skills in the prevention and treatment of alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems.

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Course structure

The course will run as in block release mode. There are 4 blocks of face-to-face study at the University main campus, each of around one week's length. After each block, the student will have a series of learning tasks to do at home or in their workplace, amounting to 50 hours work.

The graduate certificate comprises of four core units of study.

Total number of credit points required for award of degree: 24

Duration: 0.5 - 1.5 years full-time

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Course fees

The cost of the Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Health (Substance Use) (expected to be around $2,100) is subsidized by the federal government, and can be either paid up front with a 20% discount, or deferred as a HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) debt.

A HECS debt is gradually repaid (at 4% per year) through the tax system at times when your income is above $39,000 per year.

More information is available from the website http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/. You can also apply for a scholarship to cover the cost.

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Admission requirements

This course is open to persons of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage who are mature, and have a relevant employment background.

If there are more applicants than the quota can accommodate, the criteria for rating and selecting candidates are:

(a) number of years of work experience in the alcohol, tobacco and other drug sector,
(b) prior education attained,
(c) workplace assessment/advice/support of employer.

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Career destinations

  • Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Worker
  • Aboriginal Health and/or Drug and Alcohol Liaison Officer
  • Drug and Alcohol Counsellor/Worker
  • Health Worker in government
  • non-government and community controlled organisations
  • Policy Officer
  • Project Officer
  • Research Officer
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FAQ-Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Answer:
Course code: KG012
Faculty: Medicine
Total credit points: 24
Offered to international students: No
Distance learning course: No
Place of study: Camperdown Campus
Duration: 0.5 - 1.5 years full time
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