Alcohol and other drugs (AOD) career pathways for Aboriginal people

​​​​​​​​​​​​ On this page

  1. Aboriginal health​​ worker workforce 
    1. ​Aboriginal health wo​rkers
    2. Aboriginal health practitioners
    3. Senior Aboriginal health workers
    4. ​Principal Aboriginal health workers
  2. Where you'll work
  3. ​ Pathways for a career in AOD
  4. Links to relevant qualifications
  5. Tips for applying for roles
  6. Get help while you study and train​
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​​​​​​​​​Aboriginal workers within the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector play a vital role in providing culturally responsive support to people who use alcohol and other drugs. Aboriginal AOD workers work to achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal people and help bridge the gap between the community and the services they need, ensuring better access and improved outcomes for those who need help with their alcohol and drug use.

Discover how you can make a real difference in the lives of individuals and communities through a career in the AOD sector. Whether you're passionate about counselling, healthcare and advocacy, or supporting others through lived experience, there's a pathway that's right for you. 


Ready to start your journey?​

A mature-aged woman. it is AOD worker Lynette from Orange NSW ​

Apply for training, scholarships and programs to enhance your skills and build a rewarding career within the AOD sector.

​Apply for AOD training programs

​Take the next step in your career and search for AOD roles at NSW Health.

​Search for AOD roles at NSW Health​

Aboriginal health worker workforce​

There are four Aboriginal health worker categories. While these are generalist roles, they can specialise in alcohol and other drugs through work placements or training courses.  

  • All four positions help Aboriginal people and communities improve their health and focus on providing care that is culturally safe and appropriate. 
  • These roles require leadership, training, and the ability to work with a range of different people especially in relation to Aboriginal health and the AOD sector. 

As the roles get more senior, you’ll take on more responsibilities and work closely with others, including training or guiding your colleagues.

Note: The definition of an Aboriginal health worker (AHW) was updated after significant consultation, in line with recent national and state activity regarding training, qualifications and professional activities. 

Aboriginal health workers (AHW)

​Aboriginal health workers provide non-clinical services such as health education, cultural support, advocacy, community outreach and assistance in navigating the healthcare system. They also provide flexible, holistic and culturally sensitive support to Aboriginal clients and communities. 

As an AHW working in the AOD sector, you will: 

  • ​Provide advocacy, support, and health promotion in community and hospital settings. ​
  • Build relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders in order to provide care that meets the physical, social, emotional and cultural needs of Aboriginal people. 
  • Help to improve access to services and health outcomes for Aboriginal people with harmful drug and alcohol use.

​​Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHP) 

​Aboriginal Health Practitioners (AHP) provide direct clinical services to local Aboriginal communities and hold a Certificate IV in Aboriginal Primary Health Care Practice. AHP's are AHPRA registered with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board. 

As an AHP working in the AOD sector, you will: 

  • Connect Aboriginal people to culturally safe clinical care. 
  • Help with the prevention, assessment and treatment of diseases and health conditions. 
  • Perform clinical and primary healthcare duties which, depending on your training, can include measuring and record vital signs like blood pressure, doing health assessments and taking blood. 

Senior Aboriginal health workers

Senior Aboriginal health workers are cultural navigators with extensive experience working in the NSW health system that ensure the provision of holistic and culturally appropriate care through collaborating with a range stakeholders and services. 

As a Senior Aboriginal health worker in the AOD sector, you will: 

  • Provide support for Aboriginal clients and their families who are experiencing issues related to alcohol and drug use. 
  • Lead and manage resources for health services and programs relating to AOD. 
  • Supervise and train Aboriginal Health Workers. 

​Principal Aboriginal health workers

​Principal Aboriginal health workers hold a university degree and are leaders responsible for providing culturally safe health services that improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people. 

As a Principal Aboriginal health worker in the AOD sector, you will: 

  • Create and review primary health care strategies and policies for Aboriginal communities. 
  • Ensure drug and alcohol services are culturally safe 
  • Work with other health professionals to provide a coordinated and holistic approach to care.  
  • Lead community development and health promotion programs relating to AOD that engage Aboriginal people 
  • Supervise and train Aboriginal Health Workers.

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Where you'll work

In the AOD sector, you can work in many different settings. These include both public and private sectors as well as non-government organisations.

Some of the settings include:

  • Drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation facilities (“Rehab”) -  live-in facilities where people get help for their alcohol and drug use.  
  • Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations - healthcare services operated by local Aboriginal communities. Also known as Aboriginal Medical Services or Aboriginal Health Services.
  • Outreach services - programs that provide AOD services and information to communities with limited access, through community events, home visits and mobile clinics.
  • Day programs - flexible, non- residential AOD services. People can attend for individual and group activities, counselling, support and education during the day or evening but continue to live at home. 
  • Withdrawal services (detox) - short-term care for people experiencing withdrawal symptoms after reducing or stopping AOD use.  This may occur in hospitals, some residential rehab facilities, or at home with support from medical, nursing and AOD support workers.
  • Hospitals – including inpatient wards for people experiencing withdrawal from AOD and AOD hospital consultation liaison services, which provide nursing AOD support for people who are in hospital. 
  • Community Health Centre – run by NSW Health providing free AOD services such as counselling and opioid dependence treatment.
  • Opioid Treatment Programs - provide pharmacotherapy and support services to people with an opioid dependence. Treatment may be provided as a short-term measure to assist people to stop using other opioids, or for long-term maintenance. 
  • Needle and syringe programs - provide safe and clean injecting equipment to stop the spread of blood borne viruses among people who inject drugs.

Pathways for a career in AOD

This flowchart shows the different ways Aboriginal people can start a career in AOD, the options to move through education pathways and opportunities for employment during further study. Three education pathways can lead to a Principal Aboriginal Health Worker: 

  • Through a Certificate III, you can work as an Aboriginal Health Worker or a Senior AHW if you have the skills, knowledge and experience.
  • Through a Certificate IV, you can work as an Aboriginal Health Practitioner or a Senior AHW if you have the extra skills and knowledge. 
  • Through an undergraduate degree relevant to the role (such as Bachelor in Health Science, Bachelor in Community Health or a related field), a Principal AHW position is in reach.

All pathways can lead to valuable and rewarding employment and careers in the AOD sector.​

Aboriginal AOD Pathways Flowchart.png  

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Links to relevant qualifications

  • Certificate III in Aboriginal Primary Healthcare  - provides a pathway to work in a range of health care settings including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisations, and the public or private health sector, as an Aboriginal Health Worker (non-clinical or para-clinical)
  • Certificate IV in Aboriginal Primary Healthcare​   - provides a broader knowledge base and skillset to work in a range of health care settings, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisations, and the public or private health sector, as an Aboriginal Health Worker (non-clinical or para-clinical)​​
  • ​Certificate IV in Aboriginal Primary Healthcare Practice​- suitable to become and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Practitioner upon attainment of national registration through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Board of Australia​

In addition to Aboriginal specific qualifications, there are a range of other options in the health sector that could prepare you for work in the AOD sector. Some are listed below:

Tips on applying for roles​

There are guides and resources available to support you when applying for jobs. A few of these are listed below: 

For more information on how to apply for roles within NSW Health, you can also visit: 


Get help while you study and train

There are a range of services and programs available for Aboriginal people completing vocational education and training. These initiatives can provide support through mentorship, fee-free training and local networks. 

Learn more about: 

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Current as at: Wednesday 9 April 2025
Contact page owner: Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs