Education level
Your role as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner
You must identify or be accepted as an Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander person to apply for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner role. You'll also need your birth certificate, a blue card, some mandatory vaccinations, and other pre-employment checks.
Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners are highly skilled and registered healthcare professionals.
As a practitioner, you'll:
- provide culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- work with doctors and other healthcare professionals to support patient care
- help patients manage their health and medicines
- support health education and prevention activities
- provide clinical services including vaccinations and ongoing care for chronic conditions.
How Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners are different to Health Workers and Liaison Officers
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners are registered health professionals and provide clinical care. Health Workers focus on health education, screening and clinical support. Liaison Officers focus on cultural support and helping people access services.
What your day might look like
Your day may start by setting up a community clinic or heading out on outreach visits. You'll support adults and children with health checks, medicines and follow up care, often for people with chronic health conditions.
You'll work closely with doctors, nurses and visiting specialists, and spend time talking with families and community members to explain care in a culturally safe way. You'll also help connect people with local services and support ongoing care in places where access to health services can be limited.
Qualifications and professional registration
You must meet registration standards before you're able to be registered with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Board of Australia (ATSIHPBA).
The requirements for registration include:
- having a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and, or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice
- identifying or being accepted as an Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander person.
Learn more about the ATSIHPBA registration standards on their website.
Pay and benefits
Your pay rate and benefits will depend on your role and your pay point. As a trainee you'll start at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Stream grade HWF1. If you're over 21, you'll start at grade HWF1.3.
If you have qualifications or experience, you may start at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Stream grade HWF3.2. You’ll get a different rate if you’re in a higher level role.
We also offer:
- regular wage increases
- a superannuation rate of 12.75%
- a supportive workplace with flexible working arrangements
- several types of leave
- salary packaging.
If you're moving to start a new job with us, you may be able to get help with moving and travel costs.
Rural and remote opportunities
If you work in regional, rural and remote areas you may have access to specialised training, helping you progress at a faster pace.
Read more about our training opportunities.
Professional growth
You'll do at least 20 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) each year through:
- workplace learning and coaching
- self directed learning
- professional development and upskilling opportunities.
Career paths
- Begin training via Certificate II–IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care.
- Complete an approved practitioner program for clinical practice.
- Apply for registration with ATSIHPBA (Ahpra).
- Work as a registered practitioner delivering culturally safe clinical care.
- Advance your career through further qualifications, credentialling, leadership roles, and specialisation