Health Profesh

You care about yourself and others (a lot!). Whether you want to be a personal trainer, sports coach, physio, nurse, pharmacist, psychologist or medical practitioner, mob will be grateful to have you at their side. Check out some pathways, the funding opportunities available, and where to connect with communities of like-minded people. 

Pathways

• Pursue an undergraduate degree in a health-related field. There’s a huge range to pick from, including medicine, medical science, nursing, sports science, psychology, physiotherapy and more. Many institutions also offer admission pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Check out Course Seeker or Good Universities Guide to find a course that appeals to you.

• Get hands-on skills in areas like disability support, health services and medical administration at TAFE or a VET provider like the Australian Centre of Further Education or the Institute of Health and Nursing Australia. Search for VET courses on Study Australia to get an idea of what’s out there.

• Sign up for a short course in a specific area like health-care management, nutrition or mental health. Open Universities Australia is a great place to start.

• Have a look at current job opportunities on boards like SEEK or Ethical Jobs. For roles specific to First Nations job hunters, you can search for ‘Aboriginal Identified jobs’ or filter for Indigenous jobs. Koori Mail, Our Mob and Indigenous Employment Australia are job boards created by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that are worth a look, too.

Funding

There are a range of scholarships available for young people looking to study health, including:

• First Nations Cancer Scholarship   

• The House Call Doctor Futures in Health Indigenous Scholarship 

• The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme 

• Australian Rotary Health Indigenous Health Scholarships. 

For more info about financial support, visit institution websites. Many universities and TAFEs offer funding for First Nations students. If you’re considering uni, check out the NIAA’s list of Indigenous Higher Education Units, where you can learn more about student support. It’s also worth exploring ABSTUDY, AIEF’s scholarship program and health-specific scholarships via Aurora Foundation's Indigenous Pathways Portal. 

Networking

• Networks like the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA), the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM), Indigenous Allied Health Australia and the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) are set up to connect you with mob out there working in health. A unique opportunity to explore is NHMRC’s Indigenous Virtual Internship Program, which offers First Nations students hands-on experience in health research and practice. For more details, check out their website.

• If you’re looking to work with local communities around the country, you could  explore Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). Check out the NACCHO map to find an ACCHO near you. From here, you might find a specific Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) that you want to get involved with.

• CareerTrackers supports First Nations students from Year 12 and throughout university to connect with employers and participate in paid, multi-year internships.

• Yalari’s Pathways Program helps to prepare students for life after school and to navigate the transition to higher education, vocational training and employment.

• AIEF offers career support for First Nations students from Year 11 onwards, assisting with goal setting and applications for higher education, training or employment opportunities.

• Connect with a mentor through AIEF or AIME. If you want advice specific to your field, AIDA is worth a look.

• Indigenous student support centres at your education provider (like an Indigenous Higher Education Unit) aren’t just good for finding resources; they’re a great place to find connection and community, too.

What else would you be good at?

Hit up the quiz again to see where else your skills, interests or passions could take you. Or, jump ahead to learn more about the other quiz outcomes and how to get started on those instead.

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• Keen to stay close to mob and to uplift your community? Discover how to be Socially Savvy and advocate for others.

• Got a mad new idea? Start your journey as a Deadly Entrepreneur.

• Love delivering exceptional service for community? Get thriving as a Main Street Hero.