Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing unit (HGA246)

Cradle Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Sydney

Introduction

This unit explores how historical, cultural and social elements, as well as previous and contemporary policy frameworks, shape the health and wellbeing of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. Cultural safety, self-determination and collaboration are central concepts within this unit. You will have the opportunity to explore your own cultural beliefs, values and attitudes, and the influence these may have on health care with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. You will also engage in activities that strengthen self-awareness and reflection, and which promote your capacity to demonstrate sensitivity, awareness and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in the context of providing culturally safe health care. This unit will equip you to become a health professional who can advocate for improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Summary

Unit name	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing
Unit code	HGA246
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Humanities and Social Sciences
Discipline	Sociology and Criminology
Coordinator	Mr Duncan Robinson
Available as an elective?	No
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Intermediate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Cradle Coast	Semester 1
Cradle Coast	Summer
Hobart	Semester 1
Hobart	Summer
Launceston	Semester 1
Launceston	Semester 2
Launceston	Summer
Sydney	Semester 1
Sydney	Summer

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	5/7/2026	27/7/2026	30/8/2026	24/10/2026
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026
Summer	1/1/2026	12/1/2026	23/1/2026	14/2/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Identify the historical, social and cultural determinants of health as they relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Discuss the health services, workforce, policy and political issues that impact on culturally safe health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Reflect upon your own cultural beliefs, values and attitudes, and the influence these may have on providing health care with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Distinguish and analyse how to provide culturally safe health care for and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at individual and organisational levels
• Communicate effectively and respectfully in a professional manner and adhere to academic written requirements.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
061305	$1,192.00	$1,192.00	not applicable	$2,919.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Admission to: 53G, 53H, 53I, H3N, H3O

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Semester: 9 weekly workshops (2 hours each). Weekly online content and readings. Summer: 2 x 3 hour workshops over three weeks. Weekly online content and readings.
Assessment	Online Quizzes (10%)|Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service Report (40%)|Reflective Essay (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Please see UTAS Library Reading List via MyLO.

Recommended

Texts Best, O. (2017). ‘Yatdjuligin’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nursing and Midwifery Care. CUP. (e-book).   Dudgeon, P., Milroy, H., Walker, R. (2014). 'Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice. (ebook).  Taylor, K. (2019).¿Health care and indigenous Australians: Cultural safety in practice, Red Globe Press.   Wepa, D. (2015). Cultural Safety in Aotearoa New Zealand 2nd Ed. [ebook]  Taylor, K. (2019).¿Health care and indigenous Australians: Cultural safety in practice. Red Globe Press.   Fogarty, W. et al. (2018). Deficit discourse and strengths-based approaches: changing the narrative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing. [ebook]

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.