Overview
In this unit, you will have the opportunity to explore historical and current inequalities in the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families, and groups. You will learn about culturally safe care to gain a better understanding of how to partner and collaborate to meet health needs and improve health outcomes. Focus will be given to the inequities that continue in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status compared to their non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander counterparts. You will develop the knowledge and skills needed to work with people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. In this unit, you will recommend ways of collaborating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, groups or communities to facilitate equal access to equitable and appropriate health services.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite: Must be enrolled in Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry)
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Critically review the ongoing impact that colonisation has on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Conceptually map current demographic, health indicators and statistical trends for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Theorise on different forms of White privilege and racism in healthcare.
- Explicate the contemporary role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals, organisations and communities in delivering culturally safe health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Debate professional practice factors that facilitate quality health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Content in this unit incorporates a number of professional nursing requirements
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Registered Nurse Standards for Practice
Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships
Maintains the capability for practice
Comprehensively conducts assessments
Develops a plan for nursing practice
Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice
Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Code of Conduct
Legal compliance
Person-centred practice
Cultural practice and respectful relationships
Professional behaviour
Research in health
Health and wellbeing
International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics for Nurses
Nurses and People
Nurses and Practice
Nurses and the Profession
Nurses and Co-workers
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
Clinical governance
Partnering with consumers
Communicating for safety
Patient Safety Competency Framework
Person-centred care
Therapeutic communication
Cultural competence
Teamwork and collaborative practice
Evidence-based practice
Preventing, minimising and responding to adverse events
Aged Care Quality Standards
Consumer dignity and choice
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 40% | |||||
| 2 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 60% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||||
| 2 - Communication | |||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||||
| 4 - Research | |||||
| 5 - Self-management | |||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||||
| 7 - Leadership | |||||
| 8 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing
- Edition: 5th (2021)
- Authors: Berman, A., Frandsen, G., Snyder, S., Levett-Jones, T et al.
- Pearson
- Melbourne Melbourne , Australia , Victoria
- ISBN: 9781488626593
Kozier and Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing (Australian edition) is an appropriate resource for postgraduate study in First Nations history and health, as it embeds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives within core nursing knowledge rather than treating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as separate or optional content. The text emphasises cultural safety, holistic care, and the impact of historical and social determinants on health outcomes, which are essential for understanding First Nations peoples’ experiences within the healthcare system. By integrating these perspectives into foundational nursing practice, the book supports postgraduate students to critically apply culturally responsive and evidence-based care in alignment with Australian professional standards.
Additional Textbook Information
This textbook may be used in other units throughout the Graduate Entry Masters.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Academic Learning Centre services
- CQUniversity library literature search tools
- Microsoft Word
- Zoom account (Free)
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
- CQUniversity Library Resources
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
- CQUniversity Library search engines for research articles
- CQUniversity Library Nursing/Midwifery/Social Work Resources
- Endnote bibliographic software. This is optional for formatting references
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.d.prance@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to the unit
Exploring your own beliefs
Chapter
Review the Moodle site and click on all the links.
Find out what is in Student Support?
Find out how to find the Library?
Click on the link and learn what is in the Academic Learning Centre.
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Welcome and Unit Introduction.
Weekly tutorial.
Activity: Access the General Discussion page and introduce yourself to your colleagues by providing your name and maybe why you are studying this unit and course.
Assessments: Review the assessment tasks and make a study plan.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program: Complete your annual program.
Announcements and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Contextualising – walking in someone else’s shoes
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Drop in session
Assessment 1 – Start your literature searching and preparing assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
From history to contemporary times: Understanding intergenerational trauma
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Tutorial
Census Date is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help.
Assessment 1 – Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Exploring the constructs of racism and White privilege
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Drop in session
Census Date – Tuesday Week 4
Assessment 1 – Is due this week. Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Case Study Due: Week 4 Wednesday (5 Aug 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Identifying health gaps: Social and cultural determinants of health
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Tutorial
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications
Week 6
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Protective factors: Cultural Safety and community-controlled health services
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Drop in session
Assessment 2 – Planning
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Vacation week
Chapter
Please use this mid-term break as an opportunity to rest and recover. Enjoy your break!
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please use this mid-term break as an opportunity to rest and recover. Enjoy your break!
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Primary health care
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Tutorial
If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help.
Assessment 2 – Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Respectful communication
Effecting change in practice
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Drop in session
Assessment 2– Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Advocacy and health promotion
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Tutorial
Assessment 2 – Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Decolonisation
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Drop in session
Assessment 2 – Check the originality of your assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications
Don’t forget – check your unit enrolments for next term.
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Social innovation and moving forward
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Tutorial
Assessment 2 – Check the originality of your assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experience in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades.
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Reflection, debriefing and feedback
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Drop in session
Assessment 2 – Check the originality of your assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report. Remember your assessment 2 is due Wednesday
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – Please complete the unit evaluation survey.
Congratulations on completing this unit.
Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Reflective Practice Assignment Due: Week 12 Wednesday (7 Oct 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Nil
Chapter
Nil
Events and Submissions/Topic
Nil
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered online, students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic, self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week—there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term, and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.
1 Case Study
You must complete a written case study analysis and demonstrate your understanding of the impact of colonisation on the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the application of cultural safety strategies to reduce health disparities and promote health equity.
Please note, some content in this assessment may be sensitive or confronting, so please approach it with care and seek support from CQUniversity Counselling and Wellbeing if needed.
Instructions
Read the case study and answer the four questions provided.
Students are expected to demonstrate critical engagement with contemporary literature, including Indigenous scholarship, policy documents, and evidence-based practice literature
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS).
Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. CQUniversity Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft CoPilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Extensions
Extensions to this assessment are available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 4 Wednesday (5 Aug 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Case Study
Vacation Week Wednesday (26 Aug 2026)
Return of assessment 1 case study
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Critically review the ongoing impact that colonisation has on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Conceptually map current demographic, health indicators and statistical trends for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Explicate the contemporary role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals, organisations and communities in delivering culturally safe health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Debate professional practice factors that facilitate quality health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
2 Reflective Practice Assignment
You must complete a written Reflective Practice assessment and demonstrate your understanding of the impact of colonisation, the Stolen Generation, racism, and White privilege on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through a focused reflection on a provided scenario, you will critically examine how these factors influence health outcomes, healthcare experiences, and culturally safe nursing practice.
Please note, some content in this assessment may be sensitive or confronting, so please approach it with care and seek support from CQUniversity Counselling and Wellbeing if needed.
Instructions
Read the case study and answer the five questions provided.
Students are expected to demonstrate critical engagement with contemporary literature, including Indigenous scholarship, policy documents, and evidence-based practice literature
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS).
Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. CQUniversity Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft CoPilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Extensions
Extensions to this assessment are available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 12 Wednesday (7 Oct 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Return of assessment 2 reflective practice assignment
Vacation/Exam Week Wednesday (21 Oct 2026)
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Critically review the ongoing impact that colonisation has on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Theorise on different forms of White privilege and racism in healthcare.
- Explicate the contemporary role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals, organisations and communities in delivering culturally safe health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Debate professional practice factors that facilitate quality health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
