Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:41 AM AWST
22/07/2026 8:41 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.
Apply understanding of the Australian health care system
Apply understanding of the Australian health care system
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTEN516B
HLTEN516B
State Code
D8221
D8221
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
24/08/2012
Field of Education
061309 - Community Health
Original Release Date
24/08/2012
Nominal Hours
20
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes skills and knowledge required to function independently in developing strategies to practise within the current and future health care environment taking into account the Australian health care system
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Practise within the Australian health care system
- 1.1 Apply the principles of primary health care and wellness principles to own work role
- 1.2 Identify and access appropriate agencies to facilitate positive health outcomes for clients
- 1.3 Take into account the socio-cultural factors that may impact on the health of each client
- 1.4 Recognise and incorporate into practice the social influences that impact on health and illness
- 1.5 Work with an awareness of the political, economic and social impacts on health care delivery
- 1.6 Work with an awareness of non-western models of health care delivery and their place in contemporary practice
- 1.7 Apply strategies within own work role to maintain standards of care within the contemporary health care system
- 1.8 Apply knowledge of major considerations in the provision of health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- 1.9 Apply knowledge of multiculturalism, health issues and health care practices facing peoples from places other than Australia
- 1.10 Maintain awareness of current health issues impacting on clinical practice and the development of health policy
2. Apply an understanding of the funding sources for health in Australia
- 2.1 Work with an awareness of appropriate source(s) of funding for health care services
- 2.2 Provide information to clients as required, relating to health care service funding sources and health related insurances in consultation/collaboration with registered nurse
3. Take into account a range of factors affecting health
- 3.1 Identify the range of factors that may affect health for a range of client groups
- 3.2 Identify risk factors applying to the health of each client, taking into account the specific health and social circumstances of the client
- 3.3 Identify existing health services that address current health issues
- 3.4 Identify and refer situations of risk or potential risk to appropriate health professional
- 3.5 Identify and evaluate the effectiveness of available community health promotional strategies
- 3.6 Promote understanding of the client's emotional and social wellbeing
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.
Strategies to maintain standards of care within the health service industry may include:
Professional regulation
Accreditation of health care environments
The application of International and Australian standards to the manufacture and supply of medical products
Government health funding sources may include:
Federal Government budget allocation
State/Territory government budget allocation
Medicare
Residential classification schedule
Grants
Non-government health funding sources may include:
Church funded health care facilities
Charitable organisations
Health related insurances may include:
Private health insurance funds
Medicare
Workers compensation
Motor vehicle insurance
Travel insurance
Disease - specific insurance
Socio-cultural factors may include:
Gender
Culture and ethnicity
Low economic status
Poverty
Primary health care delivery includes:
Levels of health care in Australia
Models of primary health care
Principles of social justice
Community participation
Equity and access to health care
Responsiveness to needs of local populations
Philosophical frameworks for primary health care
Roles of health team members in primary health care
Current health issues may include:
Obesity
Cardiovascular disease
Cancer
Stress
Asthma
Alcohol abuse/Substance abuse
Diabetes mellitus
Accidents
Suicide
Mental illness
Child, spouse, elder abuse
Communicable diseases
Sexually transmitted infections
Hepatitis B, C
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Aging population
Factors affecting health may include:
Heredity
Environment
Lifestyle
Diet
Socio-economic status
Geographical location
Availability of health care
Cultural norms
Age
Legislative requirements
Pollution
Sanitation
Global patterns of disease
Immunisation
Public health
Impact of colonisation on Aboriginal people may include:
Terra nullius
Traditional lands versus settlers
Segregation
Assimilation
Health and illness
State/territory Acts - legislation
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.
Strategies to maintain standards of care within the health service industry may include:
Professional regulation
Accreditation of health care environments
The application of International and Australian standards to the manufacture and supply of medical products
Government health funding sources may include:
Federal Government budget allocation
State/Territory government budget allocation
Medicare
Residential classification schedule
Grants
Non-government health funding sources may include:
Church funded health care facilities
Charitable organisations
Health related insurances may include:
Private health insurance funds
Medicare
Workers compensation
Motor vehicle insurance
Travel insurance
Disease - specific insurance
Socio-cultural factors may include:
Gender
Culture and ethnicity
Low economic status
Poverty
Primary health care delivery includes:
Levels of health care in Australia
Models of primary health care
Principles of social justice
Community participation
Equity and access to health care
Responsiveness to needs of local populations
Philosophical frameworks for primary health care
Roles of health team members in primary health care
Current health issues may include:
Obesity
Cardiovascular disease
Cancer
Stress
Asthma
Alcohol abuse/Substance abuse
Diabetes mellitus
Accidents
Suicide
Mental illness
Child, spouse, elder abuse
Communicable diseases
Sexually transmitted infections
Hepatitis B, C
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Aging population
Factors affecting health may include:
Heredity
Environment
Lifestyle
Diet
Socio-economic status
Geographical location
Availability of health care
Cultural norms
Age
Legislative requirements
Pollution
Sanitation
Global patterns of disease
Immunisation
Public health
Impact of colonisation on Aboriginal people may include:
Terra nullius
Traditional lands versus settlers
Segregation
Assimilation
Health and illness
State/territory Acts - legislation
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
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace or in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning - verbal or written
Role play/simulation
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
Related units:
This unit is recommended to be assessed in conjunction with:
HLTHIR403C Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers
HLTHIR404D Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres strait Islander people
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
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace or in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning - verbal or written
Role play/simulation
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
Related units:
This unit is recommended to be assessed in conjunction with:
HLTHIR403C Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers
HLTHIR404D Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres strait Islander people
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9227 | HLTEN516A | Apply understanding of the Australian health care system | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWA16 | HLTENN001 | Practise nursing within the Australian health care system | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D096 | HLT51607 | Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing) | Qualification |
| J108 | HLT51612 | Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled-Division 2 nursing) | Qualification |