Open Space Login
Advanced Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine Hero

HLT60107 Advanced Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine

Enhance your knowledge of herbal medicine with a nationally recognised qualification designed to give you the foundations for a rewarding career.

Studied largely as an online course, the Advanced Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine HLT60107 is delivered by an award-winning, specialist partner of Open Colleges. It combines online lectures, downloadable classes, a work placement and other resources to give you an insight into 130 herbs as well as the skills required to operate a herbal dispensary.

Successful completion will give you a qualification that is recognised by the National Herbalist Association of Australia, one of the professional bodies whose members are able to access private health insurance rebates. Establish a career as a herbal medicine practitioner working for yourself or as part of an established practice, or use your qualification as an alternative pathway to degree studies.

Partnership with AIHM

Open Colleges, Australia’s leading online education provider, has partnered with Australian Institute of Holistic Medicine (National Provider Code 355) to promote and provide access to the Advanced Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine HLT60107 .

Potential career outcomes:

  • Botanical medicine practitioner
  • Herbalist
  • Herbal medicine practitioner
  • Phytotherapist
  • Western herbal medicine practitioner

2013 Intakes

  • Intake 1 29/01/2013 - 12/04/2013
  • Intake 2 29/04/2013 - 5/07/2013
  • Intake 3 22/07/2013 - 27/09/2013

VET FEE-HELP

What is VET FEE-HELP?

VET FEE-HELP is a loan that the Australian Government provides to eligible students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees for approved vocational education and training (VET) courses.

VET FEE-HELP quick facts

  • Just about every Australian citizen is eligible
  • You can begin your studies now and pay later
  • You repay only when your income reaches a certain threshold

How does VET FEE-HELP work?

If you are eligible, you won't need to pay for your course upfront. Instead, you can borrow up to the total tuition fee. The Australian Government pays the amount of the loan on your behalf and you start repaying through the tax system once your income reaches the minimum repayment threshold. For the 2012-13 income year, the threshold is A$49,095.

Who is eligible for VET FEE-HELP?

Just about every Australian citizen is eligible for VET FEE-HELP. Only those who have reached their VET FEE-HELP lifetime limits are ineligible.

Find out more about VET FEE-HELP

You can read more about VET FEE-HELP at www.deewr.gov.au/skills/programs/support/vetfeehelp/ or contact an Open Colleges course and careers adviser on 1300 853 033.

Included materials

  • Online PowerPoint slides
  • Recorded classrooms and lectures

  • Course Detail

    Course number
    AIHM3
    Course duration
    Max 36 months
    Course fees from
    Enquire for pricing
    Qualification
    Advanced Diploma
    Delivery mode
    Online with Work Placement
    Nationally recognised
    Yes
    Assessments

    Online, clinical assessments and assignments
    National Code
    HLT60107
    Awarded By
    Australian Institute of Holistic Medicine
    Associated With
    Nationally Recognised Training VET Fee Help

  • Subjects

    • Marketing your novel
      • Submitting a manuscript
      • Copyrighting
      • Writing a synopsis
      • A sample query letter
      • Pitfalls in writing for children
      • Writing in an outmoded style
      • Would I make a good children's writer?
      • Writing for teenagers
      • Should I have an agent? Partials v a full manuscript
      • Best-selling fiction for the juvenile market
      • What you should know about writing for children
      • Stories for children can be a variety of lengths
      • General tips for writing children's story books
      • Other ways to make money from being a children's writer
    • BION101: Intro to biomedical sciences
      • This is a core unit for all AIHM courses offered. It includes a broad overview of the anatomy and physiology of the various organ systems. Foundations of pathology and pharmacological principles will be discussed. Cellular and tissue structure and function will be also discussed in detail. Micro-organisms and their importance in understanding mechanisms of diseases will be elaborated. In addition the course will provide an exposure to research methods and statistical tools required to analyse and present data.
    • BHSN106: Communication skills
      • This unit is an introduction to understanding human behaviour and the relationship between basic behavioural influences and ill health, both physiologically and psychologically. Nature, Nurture and Need Factor influences are studied through a combination of theory and practical applications. Basic counselling knowledge and skills required for a therapist will be covered.
    • PRDN101: Professional development
      • This unit will cover issues like personality development, learning styles, enhancement of performance at workplace, goal-setting, agency guidelines in relation to professional development and working effectively with co-workers. It will also highlight the importance of professional associations and building professional networks to be current on the trends and developments in the industry.
    • HOMN116: Homeopathy
      • This is an introductory unit to homeopathy. This unit is divided into the study of the principle and philosophy of homeopathy and clinical first aid application of homeopathic Materia Medica. It is also an introduction to the Materia Medica of certain polycrests. In addition some common-use remedies in clinical practice will be explored.
    • NATN107: Foundations of nutrition
      • This unit covers basic concepts of nutrition and its role in maintaining health. Major areas covered include carbohydrates, lipids, protein, energy metabolism, vitamins and minerals and their influence on health and diseases.
    • HOMN216: Homeopathy
      • This unit covers: Materia Medica – polycrests; and homeopharmaceutics – basic introduction to homeopathic pharmacy and good manufacturing practice. Clinical homeopathy – case-taking and Repertory technique, treatment strategies and limitations related to the disorders of the integumentary and musculoskeletal system will also be discussed.
    • MASN109/HOMN116: Swedish massage/Homeopathy
      • MASN109: This unit provides the knowledge required to perform a full body massage (soft tissue) using the correct strokes. Topics covered include; history, physiological and emotional effects, indications and contraindications, appropriate behaviour for greeting clients, suitable properties of various massage media and basic stokes of massage. Students are also required to complete 50 supervised hours in the AIHM student clinic or another designated clinical school and a logbook is required to be maintained by students. In addition the unit will include clinical procedures, client history taking, use of computer software associated with natural medicine, laboratory tests relating to natural therapies and results, consultation demonstrations and treatment protocols and OH&S. HOMN116: This is an introductory unit to homeopathy. This course is divided into the study of the principle and philosophy of homeopathy and clinical first aid application of homeopathic Materia Medica. It is also an introduction to the Materia Medica of certain polycrests. In addition some common-use remedies in clinical practice will be explored.
    • NATN207: Naturopathic nutrition
      • NATN107 is the prerequisite for this unit. This unit will explore phyto-nutrients, zoo-nutrients, antioxidants, heavy metal toxicity, food and drug interaction, environmental food contaminants, organic and genetically modified food, prostaglandins and essential fatty acid imbalance, nutritional influences on methylation and homocysteine, anti-inflammatory nutrients and phytochemicals, nutritional influence on neurotransmitter production pathways and smart nutrients, food labelling and advertising, convenience and take-away foods, caffeine, water and nutrition, culture and nutritional intervention in relation to the disorders of the integumentary and musculo-skeletal systems.
    • CLIN129: Clinical procedures and first aid
      • This unit covers clinical procedures, client history-taking, general examination, instrument handling, use of computer software associated with natural medicine, clinical products, naturopathic laboratory tests and results, consultation demonstrations and treatment protocols and occupational health and safety issues. This unit provides a training program to achieve the standard required for the nationally recognised Senior First Aid Certificate. Areas covered include cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, management of an unconscious casualty, internal and external bleeding, fractures, burns, poisons, bites, stings, eye and ear injuries.
    • BHSN206: Communication skills
      • This unit takes the fundamentals of human behaviour discussed in unit BHSN106 and upgrades student’s knowledge and application skills to the next level by adding lateral thinking skills, non-verbal and verbal communication techniques, dealing with difficult behaviours, counselling skills and situational analysis procedures. As in unit BHSN106, this unit is taught experientially with each lecture being a combination of theory and application exercises.
    • BION301: Biomedical sciences
      • BION201 is a prerequisite for this core unit. Students will learn about the anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology related to the cardiovascular and digestive systems. In addition, patient history-taking, physical examination, and differential diagnosis procedures relevant to these systems will be covered.
    • HERN219: Herbal medicine
      • This unit is designed to provide the participant with knowledge of the pharmacological and phytochemical basis of medicinal plants and their actions, interactions, indications and contra-indications. Areas covered include principles of phyto-therapy, active constituents and chemistry of herbs, dispensing procedures and TGA requirements. Co-herbs as recommended by the National Herbalists Association of Australia in relation to the formulation of herbal preparations and management of integumentary and musculoskeletal disorders will also be discussed.
    • HOMN316: Homeopathy
      • This unit covers Materia Medica – polycrests; and homeopharmaceutics – basic introduction to homeopathic pharmacy and good manufacturing practice. Clinical homeopathy – case-taking and Repertory technique, treatment strategies and limitations related to the disorders of the cardiovascular and digestive systems will also be discussed.
    • NUTN307: Nutritional recipes
      • This unit covers the principles of nutrition and the culinary arts with menus and food technologies in the prevention and management of various disorders. The unit will discuss various cultivation methods and the impact of these methods on the nutrient’s availability in plants. Various cooking methods will be discussed.
    • Elective 1: Elective
      • Choose one from the following: 116 Homeopathy, 117 Flower essences, 121 Kinesiology, 122 Reflexology, 123 Aromatherapy, 125 Meditation, 126 Yoga, 127 Energy healing and tai chi, 130 Ayurveda, 228 Intuition in healing, 330 Ayurvedic nutrition I, 709 Trigger point therapy, 809 Principles of Accupressure, 1009 Bowen techniques, 1030 Vedic astrology, 507 Mineral therapy, 307 Nutritional recipes, 100 Environment and nutritional toxicology, 205 Biochemistry of nutrition
    • BION401: Biomedical sciences
      • BION301 is a prerequisite for this core unit. Students will learn about the anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology related to the immune, lymphatic, endocrine and respiratory systems. In addition patient history-taking, physical examination, and differential diagnosis procedures relevant to these systems will be covered.
    • IRIN111: Iridology
      • Iridology is the study of signs of the iris, which reflects the health of the body and its organs. Although the exact mechanism of Iridology is not well-established as yet, it is believed that thousands of nerve fibres that connect organs to the brain convey and register their status on the iris as early as the development stage of a human embryo. This is one of the most popular diagnostic tools in naturopathy. The unit provides necessary knowledge to analyse genetic and functional weaknesses, the fibre patterns, colour changes and abnormal marking in the iris.
    • HOMN416: Homeopathy
      • This unit covers Materia Medica – polycrests; and homeopharmaceutics – basic introduction to homeopathic pharmacy and good manufacturing practice. Miasms will studied in depth together with nosode. Application of tissue salts, organotherapies, tautopathy and drainage remedies will be explored. Clinical homeopathy – case-taking and Repertory technique, treatment strategies and limitations related to the disorders of the lymphatic, immune, endocrine and respiratory system will also be discussed.
    • CLIN229: Clinic
      • Dealing with members of the public, case studies and clinical applications.
    • Elective 2: Elective
      • Choose one from the following: 116 Homeopathy, 117 Flower essences, 121 Kinesiology, 122 Reflexology, 123 Aromatherapy, 125 Meditation, 126 Yoga, 127 Energy healing and tai chi, 130 Ayurveda, 228 Intuition in healing, 330 Ayurvedic nutrition I, 709 Trigger point therapy, 809 Principles of Accupressure, 1009 Bowen techniques, 1030 Vedic astrology, 507 Mineral therapy, 307 Nutritional recipes, 100 Environment and nutritional toxicology, 205 Biochemistry of nutrition
    • BION501: Biomedical sciences
      • BION401 is a prerequisite for this core unit. Students will learn about the anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology related to the urinary, reproductive and some aspects of the nervous systems. In addition patient history-taking, physical examination and differential diagnosis procedures relevant to these systems will be covered.
    • IRIN211: Iridology
      • Areas covered in this unit include: body systems, study of signs, colours and pigments, contraction rings, the state of health and constitution, and the comparison of various methods of iris analysis such as Angeres and Jensen methods.
    • HERN519: Herbal medicine therapeutics
      • This unit is designed to provide the participant with knowledge of the pharmacological and phytochemical basis of medicinal plants and their actions, interactions, indications and contra-indications. Areas covered include principles of phyto-therapy, active constituents and chemistry of herbs, dispensing procedures and TGA requirements. Co-herbs as recommended by the National Herbalists Association of Australia in relation to the formulation of herbal preparations and management of urinary, reproductive and nervous system disorders will also be discussed.
    • CLIN429: Clinic
      • Dealing with members of the public, case studies and clinical applications.
    • RESN120: Project literature review
      • This unit will provide students with the skills and techniques of reviewing the current literature and critically analysing the data presented in peer-reviewed journals relevant to their field of expertise.
    • CLIN329/429: Clinic
      • Dealing with members of the public, case studies and clinical applications.
    • HOMN616: Homeopathy
      • This unit covers the extensive element of homeopathy in nervous system and mental constitutions.
    • MANN120: Business management and ethics
      • This unit is designed to develop your knowledge of Acts of Parliament and regulations in relation to the practice of natural medicine, professional indemnity and liability insurance, accounting and taxation requirements, advertising and promotion, business planning and other issues related to the establishment of your own practice. Students will be required to complete their own business plan by the completion of this unit.
    • CLIN529: Clinic
      • Dealing with members of the public, case studies and clinical applications.
    • CLIN629: Clinic
      • Dealing with members of the public, case studies and clinical applications.

  • Requirements

    Entry requirements

    Minimum education

    Higher School Certificate (with biology and chemistry) OR completion of AIHM preliminary bridging course OR mature-aged entry with prerequisite experience. Phone or web interview may be required.

    Minimum age

    Minimum age of 16 years. If you are under 18 your application must be signed by a parent or guardian.

    Enrolment requirements

    Please ensure the following are submitted with your application:

    • Two recent passport-size photographs (one for the applicant´s student file and one for the student card)
    • A certified copy of valid Driver´s Licence and/or identification pages of your Australian passport
    • If you do not hold an Australian passport you will need to provide a certified copy of your Australian Citizenship Certificate or your Permanent Resident Visa in your passport
    • Certified copies of any relevant educational certificates
    • Any other substantial evidence that will be helpful for your selection, including evidence to substantiate your claim for exemptions (if you are applying for any exemptions)
    • Before commencement of clinical practice you must provide AIHM with two character references (obtained from the head of a school, teacher, priest, doctor or your health professional, lawyer, responsible officer of a recognised volunteer organisation or head of your organisation/workplace).

    Computer requirements

    To take advantage of our live online delivery option you will need access to a computer and the internet. Minimum specifications for your computer are:

    • Pentium 4 operating system
    • Internet Explorer 6
    • 256KB broadband internet connection
    • Speakers and microphone
    • Webcam

    You will also need access to a printer and the following applications: Adobe Acrobat Reader and Macromedia Flash player.

    English language requirements

    If English is not your first language and you did not complete the last two years of secondary education in English, you are required to provide evidence of English language competency before enrolling into the course. Examples of appropriate evidence are listed below:

    Evidence

    Example
    IELTS Overall score of 5.5
    TOEFL 530 (paper), 197 (computer) or 71 (internet)
    12 months in English-speaking employment Testimonial, statutory declaration

    Workplace requirements

    You will be required to undertake 300 hours of paid clinical training starting from the fourth term.

    Additional requirements

    You will be required to purchase textbooks at your own cost.

  • Pathways

    Students who successfully complete the Advanced Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine HLT60107 may go on to study for a Bachelor of Complementary Medicine with Charles Sturt University or a number of private providers.

  • Extra Benefits

    Included materials

    • Online PowerPoint slides
    • Recorded classrooms and lectures