How to become a Health Promotion Practitioner
Health promotion practitioners plan projects to improve the health of individuals and the community.
Personal requirements for a Health Promotion Practitioner
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Good negotiation skills
- Able to relate to people from varied backgrounds
- Able to work independently or as part of a team
Education & Training for a Health Promotion Practitioner
To become a health promotion practitioner you usually have to study health promotion or public health at university. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Duties & Tasks of a Health Promotion Practitioner
Health promotion practitioners:
- Plan and coordinate health promotion programs for community groups
- Provide health education and teach skills to help people make informed health decisions
- Plan and advocate for environmental changes to support healthy lifestyle choices
- Support organisations to develop policies that build healthier communities, workplaces and environments
- Supervise and coordinate community workers and volunteers
- Develop local and national campaigns covering issues such as nutrition, exercise, drugs and sexual health, and implement these within the community
- Evaluate projects and initiatives to measure their success and potential for improvement.
Tasks
- Designs, builds, fits and repairs splints, braces, callipers, artificial limbs and related appliances to restore function or compensate for muscular and skeletal disabilities
- Assists health and community groups to improve the health of individuals and the community by raising awareness of healthy lifestyles, disease and disability, and other health-related issues
Working conditions for a Health Promotion Practitioner
Health promotion practitioners are often required to work outside of normal business hours, and may need to travel.
Employment Opportunities for a Health Promotion Practitioner
Health promotion practitioners are employed by local, state and federal government departments; health agencies; community services; tertiary institutions; not-for-profit organisations; businesses; and peak bodies.With experience, health promotion practitioners may progress to team leader, coordinator and managerial roles. Employment opportunities are affected by the level of government funding allocated to health promotion and may be offered on a contract basis.
Specializations
Health Promotion Practitioner
Health promotion practitioners plan projects to improve the health of individuals and the community.
Average age
44
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
82% female
Average full-time
41 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
54%
Employment Size
5,100
Employment by state
ACT: 1.8%
NSW: 30.1%
NT: 2.1%
QLD: 14.4%
SA: 6.4%
TAS: 2.2%
VIC: 32.0%
WA: 10.9%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.2%
20-24: 2.9%
25-34: 23.3%
35-44: 24.3%
45-54: 26.4%
55-59: 12.1%
60-64: 7.2%
65 and Over: 3.8%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 12.6%
Bachelor degree: 38.5%
Certificate III/IV: 5.7%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 37.4%
Year 10 and below: 1.9%
Year 11: 0.9%
Year 12: 3%
