11391NAT Certificate IV in Teaching an Australian First Nation's Language
This course is designed for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander language speakers who want to teach their First Nations language in schools, early learning settings, community programs, or other education environments.
Course essentials
Course overview
You will develop the knowledge and skills needed to plan, deliver and assess language teaching in a way that is culturally respectful and community¿focused. The course supports the teaching, maintenance and revitalisation of First Nations languages.
What you will learn
In this course, you will learn how to:
- teach your language in a culturally safe and respectful way, guided by Elders and community protocols
- plan and deliver lessons using school and community education frameworks
- create engaging learning experiences for children, young people and adults
- design lesson plans and use a variety of teaching strategies and resources
- explain language features such as grammar, structure and pronunciation
- use your language confidently in both planned and everyday communication
Skills you will develop
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- confidently teach and share your language and culture
- develop and deliver language programs and learning activities
- research and use language resources and community knowledge
- work with schools, communities and organisations to support language programs
- create learning materials that are relevant to your community
- follow workplace requirements, including child safety and professional standards
Why this course is important
There is a strong need for qualified First Nations language teachers across Australia. This course helps build a skilled workforce to support language teaching and revitalisation in communities.
It supports national priorities, including:
- increasing the use and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages
- supporting community-led language teaching and knowledge sharing
- growing opportunities for First Nations people to teach their language
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
- First Nations language teacher
- Language tutor or instructor
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education worker
- Language revival / maintenance worker
- Cultural educator
- Community language program facilitator
- Language resource development assistant
- Curriculum support worker
- Language project officer (entry-level)
- Research / documentation assistant
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) |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
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
Contact hours
Delivery of the Certificate IV is broken in various methods of delivery - 42 weeks delivery including:
- Course introduction - Weekend - face-to-face (2 x 6.5hr days = 13hrs)
- Regular classes - 40 weeks. (2 x 3hr classes - online delivery = 240hrs)
- Face to face intensive #1 - 1 week face-to-face Residential Workshop during term break (5x 6.5hr days = 32.5hrs)
- Face to face intensive #2 - 1 week face-to-face Residential Workshop during term break (5x 6.5hr days = 32.5hrs)
- Course Conclusion - Weekend - face-to-face (2 x 6.5hr days = 13hrs)
- Placement - 100hrs of placement in a curriculum based setting
Work integrated learning
100 hrs placement is required and aligns to units CHCEDS060, CHCEDS033, NAT11391005, NAT11391006, NAT11391007
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.
- Make presentationsBSBCMM411
- Apply teaching approaches to language learningNAT11391001
- Develop and apply techniques for teaching the specified languageNAT11391002
- Apply protocols and ethics for teaching languagesNAT11391004
- Apply effective teaching as a First Nation language teacherNAT11391005
- Meet legal and ethical obligations in an education support environmentCHCEDS033
- Work effectively with students and colleaguesCHCEDS060
- Use terminology and metalanguage in languageNAT11391003
- Use a curriculum to develop long term language teaching plansNAT11391006
- Plan for effective language teaching and learningNAT11391007
Entry requirements
For all TAFE applications, pre-training review questions and a literacy and numeracy review are part of the application process.
The 11391NAT Certificate IV in Teaching an Australian First Nations Language supports the teaching, revitalisation, continuation, and maintenance of First Nations languages, strengthening cultural identity and community connection.
Essential Entry Requirements
To enrol in this qualification, applicants must:
- Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- Have completed Certificate III in Learning an Australian First Nations Language or equivalent
- Participate in a pre enrolment interview to assess:
- readiness to apply professional and ethical teaching practices
- suitability to work as a language educator
- understanding of course expectations and responsibilities
- Demonstrate willingness and capacity to:
- engage in culturally sensitive and potentially emotionally confronting learning contexts
- plan, prepare, and deliver language lessons
- follow organisational, regulatory, and professional teaching requirements
- Provide a letter of community endorsement from Traditional Owners, language custodians, or recognised community representatives confirming:
- community connection
- relationship to the language
- support to teach and participate in the course
Recommended Entry Requirements
It is recommended that applicants have:
- Literacy and numeracy skills at AQF Level 4
- (to interpret procedures, communicate ideas, and apply basic problem-solving)
- Digital literacy skills, including:
- word processing
- file management
- email communication
Purpose of Entry Requirements
These requirements are designed to:
- protect the cultural integrity of First Nations languages
- ensure teaching is community-supported and culturally authorised
- promote culturally safe and respectful learning environments
- support learners to successfully complete the qualification and teach within their communities
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
- LEB
- National course code
- 11391NAT
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.
