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CM05 - Graduate Certificate in First Nations Public Health

Overview

Course Overview

This Graduate Certificate is designed to deepen health professionals’ understanding of public health, systems thinking, and culturally responsive practice across the health and social service sectors. With a strong emphasis on Indigenous knowledge systems, relational ethics, and community-led approaches, the course fosters the development of respectful, reflective, and effective practitioners who can navigate complex health landscapes with cultural humility and integrity.

Students will critically engage with the historical and contemporary determinants of health affecting First Nations peoples, while exploring frameworks that privilege Indigenous voices, leadership, and lived experience. The course encourages systems-level thinking and ethical responsiveness, preparing graduates to contribute meaningfully to equitable and culturally safe health outcomes.

Career Information

Governments and non-government organisations are increasingly working in international and cross-cultural contexts. Examples include international aid and disaster relief situations, development programs, working with migrants and refugees, and working in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Graduate Certificate in Cross-Cultural Practice can help equip these staff and volunteers to navigate and understand their own cultural disruptions associated with working in a different cultural context, and to develop closer and more productive relationships with local communities as a result of enhanced cross-cultural practices.

Course Details
Duration 0.5 years full-time or 1 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 24
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Postgraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) GradCertFirstNationsPH
AQF Level Level 8: Graduate Certificate
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2025
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $14,496
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $13,878
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $17,040
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $13,092
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,040
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $12,708
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $15,360
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $15,360

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes 		Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 2 - 2026

Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 1 - 2026

Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 2 - 2024

Online

Term 1 - 2024

Online

Term 2 - 2023

Online

Term 1 - 2023

Online

Term 2 - 2022

Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 1 - 2022

Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Term 2 - 2021

Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Show All

International Availability

Term 2 - 2026

Melbourne
Sydney

Term 1 - 2026

Melbourne
Sydney

Term 2 - 2024

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2024

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2023

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2023

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2022

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2022

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2021

Melbourne
Online
Sydney
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at https://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Academic Requirements

To be considered for entry into this course, you must demonstrate the following:

  • a completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent Bachelor degree, in any discipline, or higher equivalent qualification; or
  • a completed AQF equivalent Diploma in any discipline; with a minimum 1 years’ experience within a health, wellbeing or social work*; or
  • a completed AQF Certificate IV or Diploma from a health, wellbeing or social work Training Package; with a minimum 2 years’ experience within the health, wellbeing or community services field*; or
  • a minimum of 3 years’ experience within a health, wellbeing or social work*

*Relevant employment experience in health, wellbeing or social work settings.

Employment experience must be shown in a statement of service, which is presented on a company letterhead, signed, and dated by a delegated authority from within the organisation (e.g. line supervisor or human resource officer). The statement must contain your full name, position title, duties performed, employment start date (mm/yyyy) and end date (mm/yyyy), or stating you are still employed, if applicable.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America, you are required to meet the English language proficiency requirements set by the University.

You are required to provide documentation confirming completion of:

  • a secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • a completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV or Diploma level qualification, or
  • a Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0.

These qualifications must be completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or the United States of America to meet the English language proficiency requirements.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
  • a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT overall score of at least 75 with no score less than 17 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
  • a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) overall score of at least 54 with no less than 46 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
  • an Occupational English Test with a minimum result of 'B' in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

Each application will be assessed individually.

Prerequisite Subjects
No information available at this time
Security Requirements

Students may be required to undertake police checks when working in particular situations, such as with children, older adults or vulnerable people.

Health Requirements

Students may be required to be fully vaccinated or have other health checks when working in specific contexts.

Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards Not applicable
Accreditation
  • Not applicable

Residential School Requirements

No Residential School for this course.

Practicum/Work Placement

Not applicable

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 1
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.

If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.

Ethical Behaviour
  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Conduct and Procedure Policy and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Demonstrating the applicable codes of ethics as they apply in the practice of public health.
  • Demonstrating an ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and taking responsibility for ensuring awareness of ethical behaviour.
  • Demonstrating respect for cultural diversity as well as individual differences and capacities in public health practice.
Behavioural Stability
  • Being reflective with personal behaviours appropriate for professional performance and being positive and receptive to constructive supervisor/lecturer feedback or criticism.
  • Interacting with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures in a calm and composed manner that shows respect for difference, including when dealing with difficult situations.
Legal Compliance
  • Complying with university and workplace policy with the use of social media, online discussion forums, email and other electronic forms of communication.
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)
  • Verbally communicating public health knowledge and skills with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness in a wide variety of contexts.
  • Actively participating in discussion and course activities with appropriate use and command of language within the context.
  • Competently and appropriately producing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner, and with correct grammar and punctuation to the required academic standards.
  • Constructing fluent summarised written text from complex and detailed information.
  • Constructing coherent reports in a timely manner to meet professional standards and clearly communicating the intended message.
  • Regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email for communication with peers and lecturers.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)
  • Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessments.
  • Completing academic learning activities and assessment tasks and performing professional skills within reasonable set time-frames.
  • Constructing written text proficiently, in English, using appropriate vocabulary and conventions of speech, including being able to paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic conventions.
  • Competently reading, writing and accurately interpreting information to convey language effectively in a professional setting.
  • Completing documentation that is accurate, clear and concise.
Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)
  • Recognising and responding apropriately to verbal and non-verbal communicative cues.
  • Being aware of non-verbal communication and the social and cultural norms that underlie it.
  • Using own tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures, and body language to communicate effectively and appropriately in a mutlicultural setting.
Relational Skills
  • Initiating and maintaining effective relationships with peers, lecturers, and University staff.
  • Initiating and maintaining effective relationships with key community networks.
Reflective Skills
  • Undertaking regular self-assessment of emotional intelligence, recognising own responses and effects of own behaviour on others.
  • Critiquing own philosophical, attitudinal and cognitive foundations, and practicing and being willing to change these as necessary.
Sustainable Performance
  • Adhering to timelines for tasks and abiding by deadlines in the context of academic assignments.
  • Managing time, stress and relationships to achieve academic goals.
  • Allocating an appropriate amount of time to study on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
  • Keeping up with demands of collaborative work in the context of group projects and contribution to the teaching and learning environment.
Strength and Mobility (Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills)
  • Being physicallly present in class and/or placement when required.
  • Following directions in the context of learning and/or placement activities.
  • Using a computer and the online environemtn for study and collaboration.
Interpersonal Engagement
  • Demonstrating the skills of collaborating with fellow students and colleagues, modifying and reflecting on practice, or modifying and reflecting on work in response to supervisor feedback.
  • Building rapport with colleagues and stakeholders in order to engage them in effective public health practice.
  • Critically self-reflecting on situations that may or may not have gone well and  learning from those situations.
  • Interacting and engaging with individuals and groups in public health practice in a respectful and culturally competent manner in a wide variety of contexts.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities
  • Using a range of word processing programs and applications to produce assignments, reports, presentations, and videos.
  • Using the internet to find necessary information to support assignments, group work, and/or placement activities..
  • Using the University's Moodle system for autonomous learning and self-directed study and assessment.
  • Using Library databases to identify and locate scholarly articles relevant to assignments and personal learning.
Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Critically reflect on own cross-cultural experiences, attitudes and perspectives
  • 2. Initiate and maintain effective cross-cultural partnerships across a variety of contexts
  • 3. Utilise theories of cultural diversity and practice to promote the co-generation of knowledge
  • 4. Reflect on First Nations peoples’ worldviews, health concepts, and cultural determinants of health and wellbeing, and their implications for culturally responsive public health practice
  • 5. Design community-lead improvement strategies to strengthen practice when working with First Nations peoples and communities.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5
1. KNOWLEDGE Have specialised knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge that may include the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in a new or existing discipline or professional area
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review,analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas
4. SKILLS Have specialised technical and creative skills in a field of highly skilled and/or professional practice
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts
6. SKILLS Have communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to make high level, independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised contexts
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters
10. FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE sufficient to undertake qualifications
11. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of knowledge in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units
12. FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS sufficient to undertake qualifications
13. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of skills in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units
14. Course content drawn from higher education units
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure

Core Structure

View Full Course Structure
Number of units: 4 Total credit points: 24

All four units of the Graduate Certificate in First Nations Public Health must be completed.

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
PBHL20001 Understanding Public Health
PBHL28002 Research Methods for Public Health
PBHL20007 Cultural Immersion and Lived Experience
PBHL20008 Engaging with Cross-cultural Communities
More Details
There is no additional information for this course.