An introduction to Cultural Safety
Developed and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors.
Instructor
AIDA
6,878
Students
enrolled
- Description
- Curriculum
- FAQ
- Grade
Cultural safety is more than awareness—it’s about transforming the way we practise medicine. It is about shifting from knowledge about culture to relationships of respect, accountability, and care.
Developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors, this course introduces key concepts, explores historical context and supports self-reflection.
Introduction
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Acknowledgements and disclaimersDisclaimer
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander peoples should be warned that information in these learning materials can contain content and images that may be confronting and challenging.
The content may include voices and images of people who have passed away.
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People involved in the creation of this course
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About the artwork
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Artwork ConnectionsTest how well do you know the artwork. -
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Welcome to Cultural Safety
Module 1: Self, Culture and Worldview
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Module 1 Overview
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What is Culture?
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Culture in our day-to-day lives
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Othering
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Othering QuizHow do we prevent othering?
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Othering and health
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Two-way learning: A journey towards cultural humility
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Cultural awareness
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Check your understanding
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Module 1 Bibliography
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Self, Culture and Worldview Quiz
Module 2: History, Context and Knowledges
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Module 2 Introduction
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Module 2 Overview
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Diversity
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Social and emotional wellbeing
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Cultural determinants: 65,000 years and standing strong
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Aboriginal Culture
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Luther's Quiz
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Pause and reflect: Nations and language groups
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The Flags
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Torres Strait Islands
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Torres Strait Islander Culture
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Mareshah's Quiz
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Where do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live?
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Political and historical determinants
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History
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Pause and reflect: Colonisation
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Deficit discourse
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Narelle’s Story
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Narelle's Story Quiz
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The role of cultural humility
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Social determinants
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Health statistics and comparisons
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Levelling the playing field
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander worldview of health
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SEWB Quiz
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Identification
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Racism
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History, Context and Knowledges Quiz
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Module 2 Glossary
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Module 2 Bibliography
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Module 2 Summary
Module 3: Relationships and Communication
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Module 3 Introduction
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Module 3 Overview
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Equity and Equality Overview
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Equity and equality
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Accessing healthcare
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Developing meaningful relationships
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How to develop meaningful relationships
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Terminology: The power of words
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Strength-based approaches: Flipping the narative
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Strengths-based communication
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Brett's approach
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Becoming an anti-racist
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Pop Quiz!
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Journey towards cultural safety
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Your Organisation Quiz
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Pause and reflect: Living off Country
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References
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Course Summary
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An Introduction to Cultural Safety Course Feedback
How do I enrol in the Online Cultural Awareness Course?
You can enrol via the AIDA website by selecting the Cultural Awareness course, clicking “Enrol now”, and creating an account using your email address. Once registered, you can log in and begin the course.
I’ve registered but can’t log in — what should I do?
Make sure you are using the Cultural Awareness course login, not the AIDA member’s login. If you’ve forgotten your password, use the password reset function. If issues persist, please contact us for assistance.
Is the course self paced?
Yes. The course is fully self paced and can be completed in multiple sittings. Your progress is saved as you move through the modules.
How long does the course take to complete?
The course takes approximately 3.5–4 hours to complete in total, including readings, videos, and reflection activities.
Who is the course designed for?
The course is designed for a broad audience, including doctors, healthcare professionals, students, educators, government and non government organisations, corporate workplaces, universities, and anyone seeking foundational cultural awareness learning.
Is the Online Cultural Awareness Course a prerequisite for AIDA’s Cultural Safety Workshops?
Yes. Completion of the Online Cultural Awareness Course is required as pre learning for participants attending AIDA’s face to face Cultural Safety workshops. The online course is included in the workshop registration fee, and you do not need to purchase the online course separately if you intend to attend a workshop.
Will I receive a certificate after completing the course?
Yes. A certificate of completion is automatically generated once all modules are completed and all “mark complete” boxes are ticked.
I completed the course but didn’t receive a certificate — why?
This usually occurs if one or more modules have not been marked as complete. Please ensure every module is fully completed and marked before exiting the course. If you’re still unable to access your certificate, contact us.
Can you email me a copy of my certificate?
If you experience difficulty accessing your certificate, we can assist by generating and emailing a copy once course completion is confirmed.
Can organisations enrol multiple staff members?
Yes. Organisations can enrol multiple participants. Each participant must register individually using their own email address. To arrange access for multiple staff, please contact our team at culturalsafety@aida.org.au.
Does each participant need their own login?
Yes. Each participant must create their own account to complete the course and receive an individual certificate.
Can we be invoiced instead of paying online?
Yes. Organisations can request an invoice. Once payment is received, we provide a coupon code that participants can use to enrol.
How do coupon codes work?
Coupon codes allow participants to enrol in the course without making an individual payment. Each code is issued for a specific number of users.
Are discounts available for group purchases?
Yes. Discounted rates are available for large group purchases. Please contact us with your expected numbers for pricing details.
What should I do if the course platform isn’t working properly?
If you experience technical issues such as trouble registering, logging in, or accessing content, please let us know. We can provide support or manual access if required.