Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health could be a good choice for you if you like variety because it covers all aspects of health care.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners work with individuals, families, and communities to deliver clinical care. You could find yourself working in collaboration with other health professionals like doctors, nurses, allied health practitioners, dentists, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.  You may work in a range of areas such as primary health care, mental health, chronic disease, and oral health. You may be administering medicines, such as giving vaccinations, depending on where you practice if allowed under legislation and agreed with your employer.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners are required to maintain national registration to practice, like registered nurses. You might work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community health organisations, Aboriginal Medical Services, Aboriginal Health Services and a range of hospital and health services.

It is important that you identify as either Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander to go into these courses and careers because you will need to be able to show (and give evidence) that you identify, are, and are accepted in the community where you live or did live, as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Below is an example of a pathway that gives you some options you might want to look at if you either want to explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice by getting a taste, or by becoming an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner. Everyone has their own journey. Where you start and where you end is up to you!

You can complete a Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice to become a Senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner.

For career opportunities within Mental Health or Alcohol and Other Drugs, there are a range of qualifications to select from including:

• Certificate IV in Mental Health or Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
• Diploma in Mental Health or Diploma in Alcohol and Other Drugs