11386NAT Certificate III in Learning an Australian First Nation's Language
Course essentials
Qualification Code
Entry requirements
Fees
Duration
Locations
SMB (on campus)
Course overview
The 11386NAT – Certificate III in Learning an Australian First Nation’s Language is designed to enhance language learning opportunities within schools, community settings and education pathways, supporting the revitalisation, maintenance and transmission of Australian First Nation’s languages.
The qualification provides learners with foundational language skills in an Australian First Nation’s language while strengthening cultural identity, community connection and language ownership. It supports progression into further education, training, and vocational pathways, particularly in areas such as education, community development, and cultural work.
Course Focus
The Certificate III focuses on:
- developing foundational descriptive and communicative skills in an Australian First Nation’s language
- building cultural knowledge and understanding in language specific contexts
- strengthening community engagement and respectful language use
- supporting learners to contribute to language continuation and revitalisation within their communities
Learning emphasises culturally appropriate approaches grounded in community authority, cultural governance and local language context.
Delivery Model
Delivery of the 11386NAT Certificate III is multimodal and designed to support both on campus and off campus learners, while prioritising culturally informed, place based learning.
Delivery methods include:
- On Country learning experiences, led or supported by Elders and recognised language custodians
- Residential workshops, providing immersive language and cultural learning
- Guest speakers, including Elders and respected community members
- Face to face sessions for collaborative learning and language practice
- Online delivery, including tutorials, learning tasks, breakout rooms and facilitated group work
Learning activities may include:
- hands on language practice
- group discussions and collaborative tasks
- presentations and reflective activities
- culturally informed experiential learning
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
Got questions?
Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.
Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Federation TAFE
Career paths
- Language Teachers
- Cultural Educators
- Tour Guides
- Cultural Experience Coordinators
- Environmental Educators
- Conserviation Officers
- Cultural Heritage Officers
- Museum and gallery Guides
- Community development Officers
- Language Program Coordinators
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
2026 indicative fees
The fees you pay will depend on your eligibility for a Victorian Government subsidised place under the Skills First Program. The indicative fees displayed below are estimates for the total course and may change depending on individual circumstances at enrolment.
Fees are subject to change annually.
| Concession Government Subsidised Place | Standard Government Subsidised Place | Full Fee Place (Not eligible for government subsidy) |
|---|---|---|
| $620 | $3,101 | $7,196 |
Material fees
This covers things like tools, stationery, uniforms, textbooks, excursions and so on. Expect the cost to be around $0.
Other important information
If you need help managing your fee payments, you might be eligible for a direct debit payment plan. Students doing certificate-level TAFE courses can access payment plans for both tuition and materials fees. Diploma and advanced diploma students can access payment plans for materials fees only.
If you’re accessing government-subsidised training under the Skills First Program, doing this course might affect your ability to access future government-subsidised training.
If you’re eligible to enrol in a course under the Victorian Government Free TAFE initiative, the tuition would be free but you’d still have to pay the materials fee (if applicable).
Find out more about fees, payments and refunds.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Semester 2, 2026
Locations
Remote via Teams
SMB (on campus)
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat.
- Online learning is only an option if you’re not studying on an international student visa.
Contact hours
Delivery of the Certificate III is broken in various methods of delivery;
- Course introduction - 1 week face-to-face Residential Workshop
- General blocks - 2 x weekends - face-to-face (2x 7hr days)
- Regular classes - 32 weeks. 5hrs online delivery. 4hrs additional support sessions
- Course conclusion - 1 week face-to-face Residential Workshop
Learners should plan for around 21 hours of additional study across the to help reinforce their learning and complete assesment tasks at a comfortable pace.
Sample course structure
This is a list of units available in this course. Which units you enrol in will depend on the course and stream available.
- Undertake language identification activitiesNAT11385001
- Apply correct language pronunciation and spellingNAT11385002
- Source available language resourcesNAT11385003
- Express First Nation concepts of Country through languageNAT11385004
- Use grammatical features to compose phrases and sentencesNAT11386001
- Produce written and oral text in the specified languageNAT11386003
- Communicate basic oral and written conversationsNAT11386004
- Develop understanding of own Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identityCUAATS111
- Apply translation skillsNAT11386002
- Conduct basic oral communication in a language other than EnglishSITXLAN007
Entry requirements
For all TAFE applications, pre-training review questions and a literacy and numeracy review are part of the application process.
As Certificate III in Learning an Australian First Nation’s Language focuses on cultural identity through a specified language. Eligible applicants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander to complete this accredited course and must have permission from traditional owners
How you apply will depend on your current situation. Visit our how to apply page for options and instructions.
After you submit your application, we’ll get you to do an online literacy and numeracy review to help us understand where you’re at (and if the course you’re applying for is a good fit). We’ll give you feedback and offer you support if needed.
For information about students’ rights and responsibilities, please refer to the VET Information Guide.
- Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- LDS
- National course code
- 11386NAT
Participants who successfully complete any units in this program will be able to gain credit into other qualifications containing these units in any future studies.
Hear from our students
Hi, my name is Maddie and I'm studying a Bachelor of Education. I'm specialising in inclusive Ed and I'm in my third year of studies. I chose to study at Fed Uni because it is close to home and because I had a few friends who were studying here as well. I would recommend federation to those considering studying because of the placement opportunities they have here. This year as part of my diversity placement I was given the opportunity to travel to the NT to a remote indigenous community. This option was available to all students in my degree in the third year and it was made even more accessible as the majority of the accommodation and flights were funded by the Uni Arunga. The community I was placed in was the most beautiful little community with wonderful students and incredible classroom facilities. I'm so glad and proud of myself for taking that leap of faith because now I have so many more skills and experiences under my belt. This opportunity will be something I'll happily share with anyone and we'll think about forever. I really couldn't recommend this programme more.