CCCA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competence CourseThis 2025–26 course is the latest edition of the flagship CCCA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competence course, replacing all previous versions.
Developed by the Centre for Cultural Competence Australia (CCCA) and aligned with the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Framework, the course builds both foundational knowledge and practical capability to support respectful, informed, and culturally safe engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations.
The first part of the course introduces learners to core concepts such as cultural identity, kinship, Country, language, and worldview, alongside the historical and social context of colonisation, dispossession, and cultural diversity. It encourages reflection on how our own cultural lens shapes the way we see and relate to others, strengthening the self-awareness needed for genuine, inclusive relationships.
The second part focuses on translating knowledge into action. Learners explore practical strategies, behaviours, and communication approaches that support cultural competence in everyday work and service delivery. They examine how racism, unconscious bias, and exclusion affect outcomes, and develop the skills to create more culturally responsive, inclusive, and accountable systems and environments.
Participants are supported to recognise their individual and professional influence, challenge culturally unsafe practices, and take responsibility for contributing to change - regardless of role, sector, or level of experience.
By integrating cultural understanding with practical application, this course moves learners beyond just awareness and ensures that they are equipped not only to recognise and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, but also to apply that knowledge in ways that make a genuine difference. It lays the foundation for more effective, culturally capable practice and prepares participants to take the next step towards cultural safety, leadership, and long-term change.
Three-part Cultural Capability Learning Pathway:
This course combines Course One (Understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures) and Course Two (Delivering Stronger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Outcomes) from our new three-part online training series, which supports a progressive learning journey from cultural awareness to cultural competence, and ultimately, to cultural safety.
For organisations seeking a more flexible or lower-cost entry point, each of these two curricula can also be purchased and completed separately as standalone courses. The third and final stage in the pathway, Embedding Cultural Safety: Trauma-Informed Leadership and Practice, is available as a follow-on course for learners and organisations ready to embed cultural capability into leadership, systems, and sustained practice.
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