Skip to main content
Unit of study_

NURS6033: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

2025 unit information

This unit of study explores contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and the ways in which historical circumstances have had, and continue to have, an impact on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Students will explore the most significant social determinants of health as these relate to the health of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. The subject includes introduction to key terminology, concepts and skills that can enable students to engage in respectful and culturally safe health care with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. While the unit will focus primarily on the health of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it will also provide opportunity for comparison with the health of the Indigenous populations in other nations. The subject will provide an overview of and opportunity for critical discussion in relation to strategic planning in Indigenous health contexts. Students will have opportunity to focus specifically on Indigenous health programs, and to examine issues and control, planning, delivery and evaluation processes.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Medicine and Health

Study level Postgraduate
Academic unit Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
NURS5002
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
None
Assumed knowledge:
? 
None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Search for, evaluate and discuss the strengths and positive contributions made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and services in Australia.
  • LO2. Identify important historical and policy factors that have influenced the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • LO3. Discuss the current health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and how this compares with the health of non-Indigenous Australians and Indigenous populations internationally.
  • LO4. Critically discuss the importance of acknowledging different ways of understanding health conditions from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other diverse cultural perspectives and the implications this can have for healthcare.
  • LO5. Develop awareness of culturally sensitive modes of communicating and delivering healthcare in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities such as Aboriginal art.
  • LO6. Demonstrate knowledge of the need for nurses and other health professionals to be culturally competent practitioners, and a foundational understanding of how to work with Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples in culturally safe ways.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Westmead, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Westmead, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Mallett Street, Sydney
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Westmead, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Westmead, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Westmead, Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Westmead, Sydney

Find your current year census dates

Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.