Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Families and Communities (INDH2107)

Course overview

Gain knowledge of the contemporary, historical, social, political, and environmental contexts relevant to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families, and communities to inform your practice as an emerging nurse/midwife/social work practitioner. Through participation in the course, you will begin to develop an insight into your own culture, values, and beliefs, personally and professionally and how these impact practice. The purpose of this course is to develop knowledge and skills for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families, and communities in a culturally safe and responsive way.

 This is a core course in the BSocWk(Hons), BN, BMid & BN/BMid. These programs are accredited respectively by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (2020) and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council's Registered Nurse Accreditation Standards 2019 and the Midwife Accreditation Standards 2021. 

 These education and accreditation standards stipulate that accredited social work, nursing and midwifery programs are required to include content that addresses the following core curriculum areas:

1. Constructions of the professions' purpose, place, and practice
2. Power, oppression, and exploitation
3. The history and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
4. Culture, identity, and discrimination
5. Psychosocial health and wellbeing across the lifecycle
6. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' history, culture and health 

 This content is developed, updated and delivered by, and in collaboration with, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses, midwives, social workers, community leaders, Elders, consumers, carers, students and other stakeholders. This course is developed based on the Nursing and Midwifery Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islande

Embarking on a Transformative Journey: Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families, and communities

This course invites you to embark on a transformative journey towards culturally safe and responsive practice in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families, and communities. We acknowledge the complex history of health and human services professions, including their involvement in shaping discriminatory policies and practices that have had lasting and ongoing impacts. To prevent the perpetuation of these harms, we will critically examine our professional and personal values, exploring how they influence our interactions.

Throughout this course, you will:

• Develop critical self-awareness and reflexivity: Through reflection, self-examination, and open dialogue, you'll engage with concepts of colonisation, dispossession, and institutionalised racism, recognising their ongoing impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Embrace a decolonising approach: We will learn from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems and ways of knowing, being, and doing, challenging conventional Western frameworks and embracing new learning paradigms.
• Strengthen your skills in critical reflection and engagement: Through small group discussions, interactive activities, and analysis of audio-visual resources, you will develop skills in critical thinking, reflection, and culturally safe communication.
• Empower yourself as an advocate: We will explore your role as an advocate and/or ally, actively supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination and agency, and advocating for culturally safe practices in your chosen profession.

Unveiling the Richness and Resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

While acknowledging the challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, this course also celebrates the richness, resilience, and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. You will encounter diverse perspectives, knowledge systems, and lived experiences, recognising the power of cultural connection and identity in shaping individual and community wellbeing.

Learning Strategies and Assessment

This course provides diverse learning opportunities, including engaging lectures, interactive tutorials, collaborative group activities, and reflective sessions. You'll be continuously challenged to think critically, apply new knowledge, and engage in open dialogue, all designed to deepen your understanding and foster meaningful learning.

Walking Together

Our learning journey is guided by respect, collaboration, and open communication. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, community members, and strong allies will share their knowledge and experiences, creating a safe and inclusive space for collective learning and growth.

This course reflects the NMBA Code of Conduct for Nurses, the Code of Conduct for Midwives, and AASW Code of Ethics and Practice Standards for Social Workers, that require these professions to provide care that is holistic, free of bias and racism, challenges belief based upon assumption and is culturally safe and respectful for Aboriginal &/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Codes advocate for culturally safe and respectful practice and require nurses and midwives to have knowledge of how their own culture, values, attitudes, assumptions and beliefs influence their interactions with people and families, the community and colleagues.

Join us on this transformative journey as we work together to build a future of equity, respect, and culturally safe practice for all.

Course requirements

Restrictions

Restricted to students enrolled in Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Midwifery, Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), Bachelor of Nursing/Midwifery.

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Lectures : Weeks 1 -9 and 11-13. No lecture Week 10.

Tutorials : Weeks 1 -5 and 7-13. No tutorials Week 6.

Aims and outcomes

The course aims to develop students as culturally safe and responsive practitioners with the knowledge and ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families, and communities, in accordance with Professional and Practice Standards. This will be achieved by developing your knowledge and understanding of the complexity and depth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, history and the ongoing impacts of European invasion, colonisation and subsequent government policies enforced on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families, and communities. The course aims to develop your practice skills by providing you with the opportunity to engage with the teaching team and guest lecturers to gain insight into best practice when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families, and communities..

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Appraisal Tool

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

30%

Due date

30/03/2026 1:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L04

Task description

Submission guidelines

All courses require students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via blackboard. A link will be made available in the Assessment area of Blackboard to allow you to submit your assignment electronically.

The anti-plagiarism software TURNITIN is being used at UQ. The electronic version of your assignment will be submitted via Blackboard using the TURNITIN software. Work submitted may be subjected to a plagiarism detection process. If the process is used then copies of this work would be retained and used as source material for conducting future plagiarism checks. Please refer to ITS Help if you experience difficulties with submitting your assignments in Blackboard or using TURNITIN as instructed on the companion website.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Applying for an extension:

Extension requests are submitted online via My UQ. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved.

Information about applying for an extension can be found on my UQ

Extension guidelines:

• Extension requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline. 
• Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date may not be approved. Late requests must include evidence of the reasons for the late request as per the guidelines in my.UQ.  
• The extension granted should be in proportion to the period of illness or disruption caused by the exceptional circumstances and will typically be no more than the specified maximum extension length for each assessment.  
• A maximum of three assessment requests can be submitted for each assessment, and the third request must include an Assessment Management Plan. 
• Students who have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks in a semester are advised to carefully consider whether they are capable of successfully completing their courses and may need to consider applying for removal of course.  
• Students who have a disability or a chronic medical condition (including a mental health condition) are encouraged to meet with a Disability Advisor within Student Services to request a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests. Students who have an SAP can apply for a 7-day extension.  

Outcome of Application:

Extension requests are usually processed within 2 working days. Students can see the outcome of their application by logging into my UQ.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Critical Reflection Essay

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique

Weight

30%

Due date

15/05/2026 1:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

All courses require students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via blackboard. A link will be made available in the Assessment area of Blackboard to allow you to submit your assignment electronically.

The anti-plagiarism software TURNITIN is being used at UQ. The electronic version of your assignment will be submitted via Blackboard using the TURNITIN software. Work submitted may be subjected to a plagiarism detection process. If the process is used then copies of this work would be retained and used as source material for conducting future plagiarism checks. Please refer to ITS Help if you experience difficulties with submitting your assignments in Blackboard or using TURNITIN as instructed on the companion website.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Applying for an extension:

Extension requests are submitted online via My UQ. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved.

Information about applying for an extension can be found on my UQ

Extension guidelines:

• Extensions requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline
• Extensions requests must state the due date and the due time of the assessment
• Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date may not be approved. Late requests must include evidence of the reasons for the late request.
• The extension granted should be in proportion to the period of illness or disruption caused by the exceptional circumstances and will typically be no more than the specified maximum extension length.
• Students on a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests must still adhere to the extension request policy outlined, Students need to attach the SAP and a note outlining their current situation with the online extension application. A maximum of 7 days will be granted on the basis of a SAP. An extension request beyond 7 days will require additional supporting information as this request will not be considered on the basis of the SAP, but rather additional events (whether they relate to the circumstances of the SAP or not).

Outcome of Application:

Extension requests are usually processed within 2 working days. Students can see the outcome of their application by logging into my UQ.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

End of Semester Exam

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

40%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026

Date will be available when exam dates are released.

Other conditions

Time limited, Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Inspera Assessment is an online assessment tool used in courses at UQ. Inspera has a wide range of question types and accessibility provisions, Inspera is cloud-based, works with a device with an up-to-date browser, and caches your responses so that you will not lose your assessment if you experience internet instability. If you have any concerns with Inspera during the exam please alert the exam supervisor.

Steps to follow:

1. Go to UQ Inspera Assessment and log in using your Single Sign On.
2. Bring your nominated device for Multi-Factor Authorisation when you log in.
3. Your centrally scheduled exams will be listed in the My Tests tab of your Dashboard approximately one week prior to your exam.
4. Check that your Inspera test matches the date, time and duration of your exam provided in your Personal Timetable.

Please check the Inspera UQ Site for further guidance.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

All items of assessment must be submitted for students to be eligible to pass the course.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Penalty for word count outside required length

A word count that is + - 10% of the set length (word limit) is acceptable. A word count that is outside this 10% will be penalised with a reduction of 10% of the total mark available for the assessment.

Artificial Intelligenceﾠ

This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.

A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Other learning resources are available via UQ Learn (Blackboard)ﾠ

Students are provided with a UQ email account and must monitor the account whilst enrolled at UQ. Please see the Information Communication Technology Policy and the Personal use of UQ email section in the Acceptable use of ICT Resources guideline for information regarding the appropriate use of email.

Students must use their UQ email account for all correspondence with academic staff.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
• AI for Assessment Guide

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

Course guidelines

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Assessment Guidelines

• School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work website for information about assessment and Assessment Guidelines
• my.UQ, Examinations and Assessment: https://my.uq.edu.au/services/exams-and-assessment. https://my.uq.edu.au/services/exams-and-assessment