Indigenous programs
We aim to help contribute to positive social change for Indigenous Australians through education and research. We promote Indigenous health studies in all our courses and provide access to a range of services and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Curtin University acknowledges the traditional Nyungar owners of this land.
Indigenous Pre-Medicine and Health Sciences Enabling Course
If you’re interested in studying medicine or health at Curtin, our new Indigenous Pre-Medicine and Health Sciences Enabling Course can help you gain entry.
Indigenous Mentorship Program
The Indigenous Nursing Student Mentorship Program commenced in 2004 with funding from the Nurses Board of Western Australia. It is run in partnership with the Centre for Aboriginal Studies at Curtin and aims to both increase the number of Indigenous nursing students and to provide current students with comprehensive and culturally sensitive mentoring throughout all stages of their course. In addition, it aims to promote cultural awareness and sensitivity amongst staff and to foster increased collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous nursing students.
Activities
School visits: the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine in collaboration with the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Western Australia hosts visits from Indigenous high school students (Years 8-12) as part of the Health Careers Workshop program. Indigenous nursing students are encouraged to participate in these visits.
Careers Expos: information about this program is disseminated at these events.
Social Activities: opportunities for Indigenous nursing students to support one another and meet other Indigenous health science students are provided.
Useful links
- Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Curtin University
CAS offers a wide range of courses for Indigenous students and also provides advice and advocacy for those enrolled in specialised and mainstream programs. The Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS) is administered through CAS. The Centre for Aboriginal Studies and the School of Nursing and Midwifery work in partnership to ensure that an Indigenous perspective is incorporated into Nursing programs and together are responsible for the nursing mentorship initiative. - School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia
The School of Indigenous Studies and The Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health offer a range of courses and programs for Indigenous students. Their annual Health Careers Workshop encourages secondary students to consider tertiary studies in the health sciences. - Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses
- Australian Indigenous Doctors Association
- Western Australian Centre for Rural and Remote Medicine
- Spinrphex Rural Health Club
- Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
- Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
Contact
For further information please contact the School Office
Research and cross-disciplinary awareness
Indigenous Cultures and Health Behaviour unit
The Faculty of Health Sciences aims to facilitate cross-disciplinary awareness of Indigenous health issues and enable students from a range of health disciplines to gain first-hand experience of health in Indigenous communities.
With this in mind, as part of its innovative interprofessional education curriculum, one of the five key units that health sciences students undertake in their first year is the Indigenous Cultures and Health Behaviour unit.
Through this subject health sciences students examine culture and diversity in local, national and global Indigenous populations, as well as the impacts of specific policies and historical events on Indigenous people, and the effects on health and healthcare access.
The unit has been a huge success with students stating that it is adding value to their understanding and knowledge as health professionals, and contributing to their personal growth.
Research
The faculty is focusing on working to improve Indigenous health outcomes. The latest research informs our teaching, with research projects addressing a range of areas such as mental health, interpersonal violence and cardiovascular disease to name a few.
Visit the CAS research website for more information, or download Health at Curtin Volume 4.
Have Questions?
Get in touch with our Director of Indigenous Engagement (Health Sciences) Cheryl Davis:
Tel: +61 8 9266 4282
Email: Cheryl.Davis@curtin.edu.au