Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 12:16 AM AWST
23/07/2026 12:16 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Plan a population health project
Plan a population health project
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTPOP503C
HLTPOP503C
State Code
D8464
D8464
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/08/2014
Field of Education
080315 - Project Management
Original Release Date
12/08/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
DescriptorThis unit is concerned with planning the specifics of a population health projectIt covers the process of selecting an appropriate health issue, selecting specific intervention strategies, tailoring strategies to appropriate groups, developing goals(s) and objectives, defining ways of measuring these, identifying required and available resources, identifying appropriate stake holders, communicating with them and managing the project
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Develop a process for overseeing plan development
- 1.1 Establish an advisory group representing stakeholders
- 1.2 Timetable advisory group feedback on each stage of the planning process
- 1.3 Incorporate feedback where appropriate
2. Confirm appropriateness of health issue that is being planned for
- 2.1 Identify burden of illness related to the health issue
- 2.2 Determine appropriateness of health issues being planned for on the basis of the way it fits with relevant policies and guidelines
- 2.3 Identify current related activities in relation to the issue
3. Select appropriate strategies to achieve goal(s)/objectives
- 3.1 Clearly identify program goal(s) and objectives
- 3.2 Identify strategies most likely to fulfil project goal(s) and objectives on the basis of available literature and suitability, effectiveness, reach and acceptability to stakeholders and target group
- 3.3 Ensure strategy activities are logically sequenced and are consistent with time frame and resources available
4. Plan evaluation
- 4.1 Select an evaluation design that is appropriate to the goal and objectives and resources available
- 4.2 Identify measures of project goal and objectives and develop protocols for their collection
- 4.3 Identify methods of monitoring and recording aspects of strategy implementation such as reach/exposure, acceptability/satisfaction and quality of materials
- 4.4 Outline proposed evaluation report purpose, format and content on the basis of consultation with stakeholders
5. Plan project budget
- 5.1 Identify costs of implementing strategy and evaluation and monitoring
- 5.2 Investigate and assess sources of project funding
- 5.3 Identify sources of personnel to meet the human resource requirements, taking into consideration their skills and knowledge base
- 5.4 Identify sources of non-human resources such as meeting rooms, information resources and training materials
6. Ensure resources required are prepared/ready for use
- 6.1 Develop or source resources for strategy implementation (e.g. protocols, training packages, written materials) and test to ensure acceptability and suitability to the needs of the target group
- 6.2 Brief staff or individuals involved in the project on the programme rationale, procedures and the role they will play and ensuring they develop the skills required for the fulfilment of that role
7. Develop a dissemination plan
- 7.1 Develop a plan for documenting and disseminating results to relevant stakeholders
RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Population health projects may vary considerably in scope and content:
Population health projects may be developed in any population health field including:
health promotion
environment health
communicable diseases
health risk management and assessment
Population health projects may be developed at any level including:
local
regional
state
national
Population health projects may be developed for any population including:
general Australian population
any subgroups within that population identified based on age, sex, ethnicity, sexual identity, geographical location, physical environment, lifestyle choices, socio economic status, disability, health status etc.
any community defined as collective group of people identified by common values and mutual concern for the development and well-being of their group or geographical area
any setting/organization whose practices influence health behaviour (e.g. clinical services, general practice, schools, workplaces, etc.)
Population health projects can target individuals, groups or organizations
Population health projects may vary in duration and intensity
Population Health projects may relate to different health determinants (e.g. biological, economic, behavioural, social, etc.)
Communities or target populations in population health:
The community or population may vary considerably in character, size, needs and capacity to access information and services
Stakeholders may include:
Representatives of relevant health agencies operating in the local community
Community advocates or change agents
Representatives/leaders of the target population
Population health professionals/Supervisors
Federal, state or local health service and population health planners
Federal, state or local health service providers
Other health and/or non-government organisations
Sources of information for planning may include:
Literature from population health and related disciplines such as published book, peer-reviewed papers (especially systematic reviews) and reports
Literature outlining marketing and behaviour change strategies specific to the target population
Demographic data and information
Socio-economic data and information
Data and information from health research and health studies
Expert informants
Key representatives of the target population
National, State and local health policy documents and implementation guidelines
Planning models include:
PRECEDE-PROCEED
Model of rational planning (McCarthy)
Hawe, Degeling and Hall's Program Planning Model
Goal(s) refer/s to:
What the project aims to ultimately achieve
Objectives refer to:
What the project needs to attain to achieve project goal(s)
Strategy refers to:
A plan of action to achieve a project goal
Appropriate strategies should take into account:
Current Australian trends in health inequalities
Current evidence relating to health and its social determinants
Socioeconomic variables, and measures of health inequality at an area and individual level
Relevant personnel for consultation may include:
Individuals who have undertaken similar work or worked with a similar target population
Individuals who control access to any of the factors that may influence delivery of the project strategies (e.g. stakeholders, target population, etc.)
Individuals who may potentially provide resources
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Population health projects may vary considerably in scope and content:
Population health projects may be developed in any population health field including:
health promotion
environment health
communicable diseases
health risk management and assessment
Population health projects may be developed at any level including:
local
regional
state
national
Population health projects may be developed for any population including:
general Australian population
any subgroups within that population identified based on age, sex, ethnicity, sexual identity, geographical location, physical environment, lifestyle choices, socio economic status, disability, health status etc.
any community defined as collective group of people identified by common values and mutual concern for the development and well-being of their group or geographical area
any setting/organization whose practices influence health behaviour (e.g. clinical services, general practice, schools, workplaces, etc.)
Population health projects can target individuals, groups or organizations
Population health projects may vary in duration and intensity
Population Health projects may relate to different health determinants (e.g. biological, economic, behavioural, social, etc.)
Communities or target populations in population health:
The community or population may vary considerably in character, size, needs and capacity to access information and services
Stakeholders may include:
Representatives of relevant health agencies operating in the local community
Community advocates or change agents
Representatives/leaders of the target population
Population health professionals/Supervisors
Federal, state or local health service and population health planners
Federal, state or local health service providers
Other health and/or non-government organisations
Sources of information for planning may include:
Literature from population health and related disciplines such as published book, peer-reviewed papers (especially systematic reviews) and reports
Literature outlining marketing and behaviour change strategies specific to the target population
Demographic data and information
Socio-economic data and information
Data and information from health research and health studies
Expert informants
Key representatives of the target population
National, State and local health policy documents and implementation guidelines
Planning models include:
PRECEDE-PROCEED
Model of rational planning (McCarthy)
Hawe, Degeling and Hall's Program Planning Model
Goal(s) refer/s to:
What the project aims to ultimately achieve
Objectives refer to:
What the project needs to attain to achieve project goal(s)
Strategy refers to:
A plan of action to achieve a project goal
Appropriate strategies should take into account:
Current Australian trends in health inequalities
Current evidence relating to health and its social determinants
Socioeconomic variables, and measures of health inequality at an area and individual level
Relevant personnel for consultation may include:
Individuals who have undertaken similar work or worked with a similar target population
Individuals who control access to any of the factors that may influence delivery of the project strategies (e.g. stakeholders, target population, etc.)
Individuals who may potentially provide resources
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Consistent satisfactory performance of all elements of this unit must be demonstrated
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit may be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace under normal conditions
The unit may be assessed in the classroom
Access to:
a range of government and non-government policy documents and reports and statistics
journals, books and external expertise
documents and other materials (charters, declarations, discussion papers, etc.) from international conferences on population health
a range of government and non government policy documents and reports and statistics
organisation policies and procedures
Method of assessment
Observation of performance
Written tasks
Interviewing and questioning
Formal appraisal systems
Staff client feedback
Portfolio/CV
Supporting statement of supervisors
Evidence of relevant work experience/formal or informal learning
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for the discussion of issues in population health project planning
Project, exercise or investigation with relaxed time restraints requiring a significant part of the work to be carried out without close supervision and requiring the completion of a project report
Related units:
This unit should be undertaken and assessed in conjunction with the following units:
HLTPOP502C Work with the community to identify health needs
HLTPOP504C Evaluate a population health project
It is recommended that this unit is undertaken in conjunction with the following unit to obtain a more holistic view of program planning, management and evaluation processes:
PSPPM402B Manage simple projects
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Consistent satisfactory performance of all elements of this unit must be demonstrated
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit may be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace under normal conditions
The unit may be assessed in the classroom
Access to:
a range of government and non-government policy documents and reports and statistics
journals, books and external expertise
documents and other materials (charters, declarations, discussion papers, etc.) from international conferences on population health
a range of government and non government policy documents and reports and statistics
organisation policies and procedures
Method of assessment
Observation of performance
Written tasks
Interviewing and questioning
Formal appraisal systems
Staff client feedback
Portfolio/CV
Supporting statement of supervisors
Evidence of relevant work experience/formal or informal learning
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for the discussion of issues in population health project planning
Project, exercise or investigation with relaxed time restraints requiring a significant part of the work to be carried out without close supervision and requiring the completion of a project report
Related units:
This unit should be undertaken and assessed in conjunction with the following units:
HLTPOP502C Work with the community to identify health needs
HLTPOP504C Evaluate a population health project
It is recommended that this unit is undertaken in conjunction with the following unit to obtain a more holistic view of program planning, management and evaluation processes:
PSPPM402B Manage simple projects
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9468 | HLTPOP503B | Plan a population health project | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVZ43 | HLTPOP021 | Plan a population health project | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J586 | HLT60113 | Advanced Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Care | Qualification |
| J582 | HLT40113 | Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | Qualification |
| J584 | HLT50113 | Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | Qualification |
| J583 | HLT40213 | Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice | Qualification |
| J585 | HLT50213 | Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice | Qualification |
| J045 | CHC52312 | Diploma of Community Services (Development and or Humanitarian Assistance) | Qualification |
| J087 | HLT42412 | Certificate IV in Indigenous Environmental Health | Qualification |
| J107 | HLT51112 | Diploma of Indigenous Environmental Health | Qualification |
| J106 | HLT51012 | Diploma of Population Health | Qualification |
| J086 | HLT42312 | Certificate IV in Population Health | Qualification |