Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) are leading the implementation of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy (the Academy) in the ACT. IAHA is a peak, national, not for profit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health workforce organisation, providing support and advocacy on behalf of Indigenous allied health professionals and students.
The Academy is an IAHA led, holistic, supportive, and culturally safe program that aims to create opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander high school and college students to consider career choices in health and wellbeing. It is an innovative, community-led model, tailoring training to ensure engagement, retention, and success for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.
The Academy enables Year 11 and 12 students to complete a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance through an Australian School Based Apprenticeship model. This may lead to employment as an Allied Health Assistant or may inspire the student to pursue a health professional career or access further educational pathways.
The Chief Allied Health Office are working in collaboration with IAHA, the Education Directorate, Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate, and Canberra Health Services, as well as education and training providers including Canberra Institute of Technology and University of Canberra, to support implementation of the Academy in the ACT. Such a program has the potential to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth successfully completing Year 12, and the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people employed in health and community sectors in the ACT.
The Academy will seek suitable health and community-based work placement opportunities to provide a culturally safe environment for students to experience and achieve competencies. IAHA welcomes interest from host employers.
If you are a student, or a health or community service who may be interested in being involved, further information about the Academy can be found: https://iaha.com.au/careers-and-pathways/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health-academy/
IAHA Contact Details:
IAHA National Academy
Ground Floor 9-11 ALIA House
Napier Close, Deakin West ACT 2606
Phone: (02) 6285 1010
Email: academy@iaha.com.au
www.iaha.com.au
