Careers in Nursing and Midwifery for Aboriginal People

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​​​Nurses and midwives work as part of a skilled team of professionals providing compassionate care for patients and consumers.

Nursing roles include:

  • assistants in nursing
  • enrolled nursing
  • registered nursing

A career in health provides unique opportunities and opens the door to some fantastic experiences. If this sounds like the kind of career you would like, then take the time to explore the options on offer.

Assistants in Nursing

What does an Assistant in Nursing do?

Assistants in Nursing (AIN) support the care of patients in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and institutions for the aged or disabled.

Examples of core AIN activities include:

  • patient observation and communication
  • room preparation and gathering of equipment
  • assisting patients with physical movement
  • simple wound dressings
  • assisting in toileting, showering and bathing patients.

Study and qualifications

There are two types of qualifications that enable you to qualify as an Assistant in Nursing

  1. Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Assisting in nursing work in acute care)
    This qualification allows you to work in hospitals and acute settings
  2. Certificate III in Individual Support
    This qualification allows you to work in nursing homes and residential care facilities. AINs in aged care/disability services are sometimes know by other titles.

Course providers include:

  • NSW Government  - education department (SBAT)
  • TAFE NSW
  • private providers.

Pathways to AIN

During high school

Some schools offer the Vocational Education and Training pathway in nursing as part of years 11 and 12. You can study a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Assisting in nursing work in acute care) through a School Based Traineeship (SBAT) or VET in Schools program.

As of 2024, completion of those subjects can count towards your final HSC and ATAR scores.

  • School based traineeship; is a program combining part-time work and study. Students are engaged as trainees (paid)
  • VET in Schools; is a study program that includes clinical placement (not paid). Local Health District and Speciality Networks (LHD/SN)s provide the placement opportunity.

If this is an option you would like to consider, talk to your school careers adviser to find out  what opportunities are available, how many hours you will need to attend clinical placements and if the subjects are available through your school.

After high school

At any state in your career journey, you can complete a Certificate III qualification in Health Services Assistance (Assisting in nursing work in acute care) through a registered training organisation. Another way to do the course is as an adult trainee. A traineeship enables you to work and study at the same time.

Future career opportunities

Enrolled Nurses

What does an Enrolled Nurse Do?

 Enrolled Nurses (EN) practice under the direct or indirect supervision of a registered nurse (RN). As an EN, you will assist, protect, and promote the health of people under your care including providing physical and emotional care, monitoring patient care, administering medication, maintaining infection prevention and control, performing clinical assessments, and contributing to care planning.

Examples of core activities include:

  • providing personal care such as showering, dressing, and assisting with meals
  • recording and interpreting clinical observations include temperature, pulse and blood pressure, urine tests, blood glucose and other tests used in specific areas of practice
  • providing basic wound care in line with an agreed plan of care
  • administering and monitoring medicines and intravenous therapy.

Study and qualifications

To become an EN, you will need to complete a Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) and then gain Ahpra registration. The diploma takes 18-24 months and is offered by various approved programs of stud​y including Registered Training Organisations or TAFE NSW. Registration to practice as an EN is by application to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Your local health area may offer Enrolled Nursing traineeships. Please check the relevant sites webpages for available opportunities.

Pathways to EN

  • Direct pathway to Enrolled Nursing: Enrol directly in an approved program of study
  • Assistant in Nursing to Enrolled Nursing: If you have completed the AIN course, most courses will give recognition of prior learning. You will be able to work while studying using your AIN qualification or experience that is determined equivalent.

Future career opportunities

Registered Nurses

What does a Registered Nurse do?

Registered Nurses (RN) plan and oversee the management of people in their care. RNs provide supervision of and determine what care can be provided by ENs, AINs and student nurses. They work in collaboration with other healthcare workers like doctors, allied health clinicians, Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal Health Practitioners.

Examples of core activities:

  • planning and managing care
  • performing treatments and complex care
  • starting, administering, and monitoring medication and IV therapy
  • interpreting test results and reports
  • providing emotional and psychological support including advocating for a person throughout their treatment
  • supervising nursing students
  • participating in medical or surgical procedures as part of a team (for example in surgical wards or operating theatres).

Study and qualifications

A bachelor of nursing (or higher) qualification and Ahpra registration to practice as a RN is required is required to be employed as an RN in NSW Health Services.

Courses are provided through approved ​programs of study.

Pathways to RN

Future Career Pathways

Midwifery

What does a midwife do?

Midwives work with women to give support, care, and advice during pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period.

Examples of core activities include:

  • conducting births
  • providing care for newborns and infants
  • preventative measures
  • promotion of normal birth
  • detecting complications in mother and child
  • accessing medical care or other assistance.

Study and qualifications

A Graduate Diploma of Midwifery (or higher) through an approved program of study and Ahpra registration to practice as a midwife.​

Pathways to midwifery

If you wish to pursue a career in midwifery, please get in contact with MOH-AboriginalNursing@health.nsw.gov.au

Aboriginal student support within training organisations

Support to Aboriginal students is offered through training organisations such as TAFE and universities. This includes Aboriginal cultural support programs and study support like ITAS.

Definitions

  • SBAT: School based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) are available to all Year 10, 11, and 12 High School Students in NSW. 
    You can gain a nationally recognised qualification as part of your Higher School Certificate (HSC). This is achieved by combining part-time work with formal training at school, TAFE NSWS or another Registered Training Organisation.
    For more information, please refer to NSW Department of Education.
  • Adult Traineeship: You can gain a nationally recognised qualification whilst working part time and being paid.
    For more information please refer to NSW Government Education and Training
  • Cadetships: The NSW Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship Program provides financial support, paid work placements and mentoring opportunities to Aboriginal people studying an undergraduate nursing or midwifery degree at university.

Corroboration of Aboriginality

Aboriginal Identified pathways and may require you to cite your Aboriginality. For further information to the Stepping Up website.

Current as at: Wednesday 5 March 2025
Contact page owner: Aboriginal Workforce