For allied health students

This page has information for current and prospective students, looking to start a career in allied health in the ACT.

For High School Students

Studying Allied Health in the ACT

There are several local education providers who provide entry level and post graduate training for allied health professionals.

A number of allied health study options are available in the ACT region. The table below maps local courses of study related to allied health professions and for support workers and assistants.

Some allied health professions will require further in house training.

Profession

Education Provider

 
 

University of Canberra

Australian National University

Australian Catholic University

Canberra Institute of Technology

Providers outside ACT (where no ACT course exists)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners        

Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice (NSW various)

Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice (Little Bay, NSW)

Aged Care Support Worker

     

Certificate III and IV in Ageing Support

 

Allied Health Assistant (AHA)

     

Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance

 
Audiologist  

 

    Master of Clinical Audiology (Sydney)

Dental Assistant

     

Certificate III in Dental Assisting

 

Mental Health Worker

     

Certificate IV in Mental Health

 

Biomedical Engineer

 

Specialisation in Biomedical Science

     
Cardiac Perfusionist         Bachelor of Science/equivalent degree plus Master traineeship and Certificate of Clinical Perfusion 
Cardiac Sonographer        

Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Sonography (Sydney)
 

Master of Cardiac Sonography (Sydney)

Chinese Medicine Practitioner        

Bachelor of Health Science-Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine or Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Sydney) 

Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Sydney)

Chiropractor        

Bachelor and Master of Chiropractic Science (Sydney)
 

Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Applied Science (Chiropractic) (Melbourne)

Clinical Measurement Science

 

Bachelor of Medical Science

   

Clinical Neurophysiology Scientists (Sydney, various)

Cardiac Scientists/Physiologists

Counsellor

Counselling Courses

       
Creative Art Therapist         Master of Art Therapy (Sydney)
Dental Assistant       Certificate III in Dental Assisting   
Dental Therapist/ Dental Hygienist/ Oral Health Therapist        

Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy and Hygiene) (Wagga)

Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy (Central Coast)

Bachelor of Oral Health (Sydney) 

Bachelor of Oral Health Science (Melbourne)

Dental Prosthetist         Advanced Diploma of Dental Prosthetics (Melbourne)
 
Dental Technician         Diploma of Dental Technology (NSW)

Dietitian

Nutrition and Dietetics Courses

       

Disability Support Worker

     

Certificate III and IV in Disability

 

Environmental Chemist

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science

     
Environmental Health Officer Master of Public Health      

Bachelor of Environmental Science (Armidale/Sydney/online)

Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management (Newcastle)

Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) (Wollongong)

Epidemiologist

Master of Public Health

Masters of Philosophy in Applied Epidemiology

     

Exercise Physiologist

Sport and Exercise Science Courses

       

Forensic Chemist/Toxicologist

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science

     

Genetic Counsellor

 

Bachelor of Genetics plus master

   

Master of Genetic Counselling (Sydney)

Master of Genetic Counselling (Melbourne)

Medical Physicist        

Master of Medical Physics (Sydney)

Master of Medical Physics (Melbourne)

Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics (Wollongong) plus Master

Mental Health Worker      

Certificate IV in Mental Health

 

Microbiologist

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science

     
Music Therapist         Master of Creative Music Therapy (Sydney)
 
Nuclear Medicine Technologist        

Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Nuclear Medicine) (Wagga) 

Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Nuclear Medicine) (Newcastle)
 

Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapy Courses

       

Optometrist

Vision Science and Optometry Courses

       
Orthoptist        

Master of Orthoptics (Sydney)

Orthotist/Prosthetist        

Bachelor of Prosthetics & Orthotics (Sunshine Coast)

Bachelor of Prosthetics & Orthotics (Honours) – (Melbourne)
 

Osteopath        

Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies) or Master of Osteopathic Medicine (Lismore/Gold Coast)

Bachelor of Health Science/ Bachelor of Applied Science (Osteopathy) (Melbourne)

Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy) /Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) (Melbourne)

Pharmacist

Pharmacy Courses

       

Physiotherapist

Physiotherapy Courses

       
Podiatrist        

Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (Albury)

Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (Honours) (Sydney)

Bachelor of Podiatry (Central Coast)
 

Psychologist

Psychology Courses

Psychology Courses

Master of Clinical Psychology

     

Public Health Officer

Public Health Courses

Master of Public Health

  Certificate IV in Population Health   
Radiation Therapist        

Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Wagga /Port Macquarie)

Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Honours) Radiation Therapy (Newcastle)
 

Radiographer

Medical Radiation Science Courses

       

Respiratory Scientist

 

Bachelor of Medical Science

     

Sleep Scientist

 

Bachelor of Medical Science

     

Social Worker

 

 

Bachelor of Social Work

   

Sonographer

Grad Dip Medical Ultrasound

Grad Cert in Ultrasound Studies

       

Speech Pathologist

Speech Pathology Courses

       

Not all allied health professions have training options available in the ACT region. However, students training from a range of universities across Australia may visit the ACT region to undertake student placements. For more information on student placements in the ACT see the Clinical Placement Office

You can also find out more about a variety of allied health professions and NSW study options at Map My Career

See approved programs of study for AHPRA nationally regulated allied health professions 

Please contact training providers directly with any queries regarding courses.

Scholarships and other opportunities may be available. Contact the education provider for further information and support options.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy in the ACT

Indigenous Allied Health Australia runs the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Academy program in the ACT.

The program aims to create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students in Years 10, 11 and 12 through their culturally safe community program. They also help students find work placement opportunities in culturally supportive workplaces and organisations.

With the right foundations, students are supported to build a lasting career in allied health.

Indigenous Allied Health Australia welcomes interest from host employers.

If you are a student, or a health or community service organisation and want to find out more, contact:

ACT Project Support Officer
Indigenous Allied Health Australia 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

For Tertiary Students

Graduate programs

There are several programs available to allied health graduates and students.

The ACT Public Service Graduate Program is a 10-month non-clinical program for new graduates to help kickstart careers. For more information, see ACTPS Graduate Program.

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care Graduate program is a full-time, 10-month introduction to Health, Ageing and the Australian Public Service. It is offered to university graduates.

The program starts in February each year and is based in Canberra. For more information, see the Department of Health Graduate Program.

The Early Career Connect: Interprofessional Allied Health Graduate program is run by Canberra Health Services.

Enrolments in 2023 have opened to all Allied Health Professionals and Allied Health Assistants in their first 3 years of practice in the public system across all of the ACT Government Directorates. Previously this program was only available to Canberra Health Services staff and staff at the former Calvary Public Hospital Bruce (now North Canberra Hospital).

For more information, contact:

Allied Health Clinical Education Unit
Email: AHCEU@act.gov.au
Phone: 02 5124 7098

Research opportunities for current students

The ACT Health Vacation Study program offers university students the opportunity to gain experience in ACT Government-based health research.

Students will develop valuable research skills through delivery of a project over a 6-week period.

See the ACT Health Vacation Study Program for more information.

Student placements

The ACT Health Clinical Placement Office coordinates all clinical and non-clinical placements for allied health students and trainees at ACT public health services. These include Canberra Health Services and ACT Health.

The Clinical Placement Office does not take placement applications directly from students. If you are currently studying, speak with your education provider about how to apply.

For more information about clinical placements in ACT public health services, visit the Clinical Placement Office (CPO).

Other placements within other the ACT Public Service can be found at:

  • Community Services Directorate
  • Justice and Community Safety
  • Education Directorate

You can speak with your education provider for further information.

For New Graduates

Where are allied health jobs in the ACT?

There are a range of allied health opportunities within the ACT health system.

Find out more about allied health in the ACT.

Allied health professionals work across the ACT region in public, private and non-government organisations. Clinical and non-clinical roles for allied health professionals are available within:

  • ACT Health
  • Canberra Health Services (includes The Canberra Hospital, North Canberra Hospital, University of Canberra Hospital, Clare Holland House and community health centres)
  • Community Services Directorate
  • Education Directorate
  • Justice and Community Safety
  • Private hospitals
  • Federal public service
  • Non-government organisations
  • Education providers
  • Private sector (this may include allied health practices, General Practices)

Current opportunities and vacancies

For current vacancies within public health services in the ACT, visit:

Employment opportunities are also available in the private sector. Professional associations often have lists of job opportunities in the private sector.

Events

Students interested in local health research can attend the Canberra Health Annual Research Meeting.

If you wish to report any issues or suggested changes for this webpage please contact the Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer via chiefalliedhealthoffice@act.gov.au

Page last updated on: 8 Aug 2023