Details of fees for specific course enrolments will be published on the relevant course marketing material. If you are unsure of the fees associated with a training program or have any questions in relation to payment of fees, please contact a member of the Education, Training and Workforce Team on (08) 8273 7200.

• AHCSA Fee Schedule
• AHCSA Fees and Charges Policy
• AHCSA Refund Request Form

Year	refers to a calendar year, being 1 January to 31 December
Study Block	refers to a six-month period. Study Block 1 is January to June. Study Block 2 is July to December
Workshop	refers to a face-to-face training session, generally run in one-week/five day sessions

Prospective students must meet the minimum age requirement to be eligible to study with AHCSA. The minimum age for enrolment in an Aboriginal Primary Health Care qualification is 18 years or older.

Expression of Interest

AHCSA encourages anyone interested in undertaking study at AHCSA now or in the future to complete an Expression of Interest Form. An Expression of Interest Form should be submitted outside of the Application Period. Application Forms will only be accepted within the Application Open Period as outlined above. The reason for this is to ensure details provided on the Application Form are current and relevant at the time of application.
An Expression of Interest Form can be downloaded from here or can be obtained by contacting a member of the Education, Training and Workforce Team via email at student.enquiries@ahcsa.org.au or on (08) 8273 7200.
Once complete, the Expression of Interest Form can be submitted via email, fax , or hand delivery to the AHCSA office.
Once an Expression of Interest Form is received, the prospective student will be placed on the Expression of Interest register for the relevant course and will be contacted once Applications open for that course. Prospective students will also be informed of other upcoming training opportunities at AHCSA, unless they have chosen to opt out of this option.

How to Apply

Before applying to study at AHCSA, all prospective students should consider the courses available, course content, training delivery methods and schedules and any other information that would be useful in helping to determine whether training at AHCSA is right for them. Further information can be obtained by contacting a member of the Education, Training and Workforce Team by email at any time at student.enquiries@ahcsa.org.au, or by phone during office hours on (08) 8273 7200.

Application Periods

AHCSA offers set Application Periods each calendar year.
Applications will open on 1 October each year for Study Block 1 intake the following calendar-year.
AHCSA will occasionally offer a second intake, mid-year, dependent on training interest received. Should a mid-year intake be offered, Applications will open 1 April for a Study Block 2 intake.
Application periods will be advertised on AHCSA’s website and further information can be obtained at any time by contacting a member of the Education, Training and Workforce Team.
Once ready to apply for a course, prospective students will need to complete the relevant form.

Application Form

During Application Open periods, prospective students can submit a completed Application Form following the instructions on the top of the form. Applicants are reminded to ensure they attach all relevant supporting documentation with their application to inform the selection process, including a Resume, previous qualifications and a Job Description for their current role, if applicable.
Once AHCSA receives the Application Form, applicants will receive a notification of receipt via email advising of the expected timeframe for the outcome of their application.
AHCSA will identify if the Applicant meets the relevant selection criteria, including:

• Age restrictions;
• Availability of training course;
• Pre-entry requirements (if applicable) as stated in the course outline;
• Target Group requirements of course (if applicable);
• Employment Status (if applicable);
• Ability and willingness to complete work placement obligations if required.

AHCSA requests that all Applicants please ensure they advise of any special requirements to ensure that necessary adjustment can be made in the development of a class timetable or training strategy, including learning aids or needs to be supported by AHCSA Educators or support staff.

Successful and Unsuccessful Applicants

Following the close of the Application Period and once all applications have been assessed, Applicants will be notified via post and email on the outcome of their application.
Successful applicants will be sent an Offer Pack with their notification of their application outcome. This Offer Pack will include the following documentation:

• Letter of Offer
• Course Overview
• Student Handbook
• Class Schedule
• Recognition Information and Application Form
• Work Placement Information Sheet
• Immunisation Paperwork
• Unique Student Identifier Information
• Student Travel and Accommodation Information Sheet (if applicable)
• Student Travel Request Form (if applicable)

The letter of offer within the Offer Pack will include a request to contact AHCSA to confirm acceptance of the training place within a required timeframe. Successful applicants are encouraged to review all information provided in their Offer Pack prior to confirming acceptance of their training place.
The information provided in the Offer Pack will give Applicants an overview of AHCSA’s expectations of students when undertaking study, provide information guidelines for travel and accommodation, training terms and conditions and Student’s rights and obligations.
If you do not receive this information within the given timeframe, please contact one of the Education, Training and Workforce Team members via email at student.enquiries@ahcsa.org.au or by phone on (08) 8273 7200 to discuss.
Enrolment and Induction

On your first day you will be requested to complete a Student Enrolment Form, an Abstudy Application Form and to provide copies of your Driver’s Licence, Qualifications, Resume, current Job and Person Specification (if applicable), your Unique Student Identifier and any other associated documentation required. You will also have an induction session where you will be provided with a site induction for workplace health and safety requirements.

At the beginning of each training workshop you will be provided with the course workbooks and assessment requirements for the units of competency being delivered.

 

How does AHCSA make class selections?

Once AHCSA receives applications for a training program and the application period has closed, a Selection Panel will be formed. The role of the Selection Panel is to review applications against the RTOs selection criteria. This is a structured process and each application is considered carefully and fairly.

What does the selection criteria consist of?

Entry Requirements

The Selection Panel will consider the applicant against any Entry Requirements for the study program. Entry Requirements of a study program will be clearly listed on the marketing materials, such as the Training Program Information booklet or AHCSA website. Entry Requirements might include a minimum age requirement or a prerequisite qualification or experience.

Should an applicant not meet the Entry Requirements, they will be advised of this and will be unsuccessful in their application.

Employment Status

The Selection Panel will consider the applicants employment status when considering applications. The employment status of the applicant is relevant as AHCSA receives funding to support training of employees within its Member health services. For this reason, employees of an AHCSA Member health service will sometimes receive priority entry into qualifications.

Selection Interview

As part of the selection process the Selection Panel will conduct interviews with each applicant. These interviews may be face-to-face or over the phone. The aim of these selection interviews is to ensure the applicant is fully aware of the training program they have applied for, including the course work required, face-to-face training commitment, as well as any work place experience and evidence necessary to achieve competency. During these interviews a member of the selection panel will talk through these points with the applicant and answer any questions they may have in relation to AHCSAs training or the training program.

How long does it take to find out the outcome of my application?

Once your application has been submitted you will be contacted by a member of the Education, Training and Workforce Team to confirm receipt. This correspondence will also include an indicative timeframe in which we expect selection outcomes to be confirmed. The outcome of your application will be send to you via both email and post. Please ensure that you have provided current and accurate contact details.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process whereby the skills you have acquired from life, work experience; formal or informal training can be formally acknowledged and recognised. RPL can apply to one or more unit of competencies or even a whole course. What this will mean for you if it is granted is that you do not have to repeat material you already know and you may be able to progress quickly to other unit of competencies.

We are obligated to recognise the AQF Qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued to students by other registered training organisations. This means that if you achieve competency in unit of competencies of a course we are required to accept these as valid and reliable. You will need to provide the original certification obtained for verification from an RTO staff member or alternatively provide a certified copy.

Student’s wishing to apply for Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning for any of their training with AHCSA are encouraged to submit their Recognition Application as early as possible following acceptance into the course. Successful applicants will receive a Recognition Application form within their Offer Pack upon acceptance into the course, which details the process for applying for recognition.

Any enquiries relating to applying for recognition should be directed to the Education, Training and Workforce Team via email at student.enquiries@ahcsa.org.au or by phone on (08) 8273 7200.