For the first time in Victoria, people will be able to obtain a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Theory and Practice.
Developed in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and the Lowitja Institute, the qualification will be delivered by VACCHO's Registered Training Organisation, Yagilaith Djerring.
The qualification has already been delivered in New South Wales, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in building research skills and pursuing research careers. The skills and knowledge gained will help to benefit the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations sector, Aboriginal communities and mainstream research organisations.
VACCHO chief executive Jill Gallagher said the message from community is research needs to be "by us, marking the end of Aboriginal people being subjects rather than drivers of research".
Dr Gallagher noted that while Aboriginal people are among the most researched people in the world, "for far too long research has been done on us, rather than with us".
"We know that research that is led by Aboriginal people leads to research that is more accurate and relevant to the realities faced by our Communities," she said.
"Having more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers will ensure that critical Cultural knowledge and lived experience is captured, strengthening both the quality of research and its overall impact."
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Lowitja Institute CEO Paul Stewart said the Cert IV will offer a pathway for Indigenous students to gain a qualification that can help them pursue a research career.
"We are proud to be supporting Aboriginal community-controlled RTOs such as VACCHO to be delivering this course to make a difference in building our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research workforce," he said.
Mr Stewart noted a recent graduate of the course had gone on to undertake a higher degree by research with the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at the The University of Queensland.
"This graduate, and others like them, are a testament to the importance of supporting early career researchers in developing their skills across Indigenous research methodologies, data analysis, ethical practices, and working in culturally safe ways with community to co-design research that matters to our mob," he said.
Victoria's Minister for Medical Research and Education, Ben Carroll, said the new qualification will help ensure more Indigenous people are in the "drivers' seat, enhancing health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, while also leading the way in ethical Aboriginal research in Victoria".
