10966NAT Certificate IV in End of Life Doula Services

This qualification can lead to a range of career opportunities across community, aged care, palliative care, and end-of-life support services. Possible job roles include:

End of Life Doula
Community End-of-Life Support Worker
Bereavement Support Worker
Advance Care Planning Facilitator

Many end-of-life doulas also run their own businesses or collaborate with organisations in aged care, disability, hospice, and funeral services to deliver personalised, non-clinical care.

Please note this list is intended as a general guide, as job titles and qualification requirements may differ across organisations and service settings.

To enrol in this course, you must meet ALL entry and study requirements, including having suitable technology access and digital skills to engage in online learning and complete assessments.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This qualification explores sensitive and emotionally confronting topics, including scenarios involving death, witnessing death, after-death care, and supporting individuals experiencing profound grief or trauma, which can be deeply personal and challenging. If you’ve had a recent bereavement or with providing physical care to those reaching the end of their lives, this may be triggering for you. We encourage you to prioritise your wellbeing and speak with your Trainer or our Student Support Team if you feel distressed or need support at any time during your course.

There are no formal entry requirements for 10966NAT Certificate IV in End of Life Doula Services.

• Be over 21 years of age
• Have a Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• Have the Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) skills sufficient to read and interpret complex written information such as policies, client documentation and care plans; write reflections, support plans, and observations clearly and accurately; communicate effectively in sensitive conversations with clients, families, and health professionals; and interpret basic numerical data such as timeframes, measurements (e.g. medication times or schedules), and financial aspects of service planning. This will be tested through a LLN assessment as part of the course entry process.
• Provide a current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) and Working with Children/Working with Vulnerable People Check (checks relevant to your state/territory).
• Have the emotional and professional maturity to deal with traumatic and complex situations.

• A desktop computer, laptop, or tablet capable of running modern applications and accessing the internet
• Reliable internet connection so you can join online classes, submit work online and study without interruptions
• A webcam and microphone to participate in the virtual classroom
• Zoom to participate in the virtual classroom . Free download here, or the App Store or Google Play
• An email account to receive course communications
• A mobile device or camera with video recording capability in case you are required to submit video evidence as part of your assessments
• It is recommended that you have the latest version of Google Chrome and Adobe PDF Reader for optimum compatibility with accessing course materials and assessments.

• Internet Skills such as navigating websites and using search engines (e.g. Google) to find reliable information, logging in to and using online web-based systems, and completing digital forms
• Computer Skills such as open, save, upload and download documents, as well as create and edit professional documents such as reports, meeting agendas, and performance plans using Microsoft Word or similar programs
• Email Skills such as accessing and reading emails, sending and replying to emails, attaching files to emails, and downloading or opening email attachments

The course is delivered in the following mode

Student Portal
On enrolment you will receive access to your Student Portal. This is where you will find all course information, links to virtual classroom workshops, learning and assessment materials, and where you will complete and submit your assessments.

Assessment Strategies
Each unit will comprise of a number of assessment tasks which may include short knowledge tests, projects, case studies, research, written reports and participating in practical activities such as observations, roleplays and presentations.

Training Plan
You will be issued with a personalised training plan that outlines your units of study and assessment due dates. This helps you stay organised and on track to complete your qualification within the expected timeframe.

Study Commitment
You should allow additional time outside of class to complete assessments. While the time needed may vary depending on your experience, learning style, and support needs, as a general guide, you should allow an extra (6) – (8) hours per week to stay on track with your coursework.

This qualification consists of (15) units in total, including (14) core units and (1) elective unit.

CHCCCS017 Provide loss and grief support
CHCCCS025 Support relationships with carers and families
CHCCOM006 Establish and manage client relationships
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCINM002 Meet community information needs
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
CHCPAL002 Plan for and provide care services using a palliative approach
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
CHCPRP005 Engage with health professionals and the health system
HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care
NAT10966001 Explore end of life care options and the role of the end of life doula
NAT10966002 Provide holistic support through the active dying stage and at the time of death
NAT10966003 Undertake holistic after death care
NAT10966004 Provide holistic funeral and bereavement support

You will pick one (1) of the following electives

BSBESB401 Research and develop business plan OR
CHCADV001 Facilitate the interests and rights of clients

If you don’t want to commit to the length, cost and demands of the full qualification, we also offer the End of Life Doula Skills Group, which is comprised of the (4) nationally accredited, end of life doula specific units. For more information click here.

Your fees are always protected, and we have safeguards in place to keep your payments secure. All transactions are processed in Australian Dollars (AUD) through trusted gateways like eWAY and Stripe, with your card details encrypted and never stored by us.

For extra convenience, you can also pay quickly and securely using Link, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Eligible students may be able to access government-funded training support through the following program:

NSW Smart and Skilled – For NSW residents, this program may cover part or all of your course fees, depending on your eligibility.

Funding availability is subject to eligibility criteria and government guidelines. We’ll assess your eligibility during the enrolment application process and provide you with a course fee quote based on your circumstances. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office for more information.

We offer flexible payment plans to make it easier to manage your course fees. You can choose to pay in weekly or fortnightly instalments, helping to spread the cost over time. Our team is here to support you in setting up a plan that works for your budget.

Click here for more information.

We understand that circumstances can change. Our refunds policy outlines your rights and options if you need to withdraw from your course. It includes details about eligibility, notice periods, and how to request a refund.

Click here for more information.

There are (5) steps involved in our enrolment process. This process helps us ensure the course is suitable for your learning needs, check your eligibility for any available Government subsidies, and identify if any additional support is needed, so we can assist you right from the start.

The steps are:

1. Preparing the Way will conduct an initial interview on application to the course. This interview assesses whether providing support services to those with life-limiting conditions is a good option, as this course may expose you to complex and challenging care situations.
2. Complete an Online Enrolment Application. This form captures your personal details and helps us begin preparing for your enrolment.
3. Complete an Online Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Assessment. This is an important part of the process as it helps us understand how best to support you during your training and ensures the course is the best fit for you. You will need about (30) minutes to (1) hour of quiet, uninterrupted time to complete the assessment. It must be done on a computer or tablet—not on a mobile phone.
4. Complete a Pre-Training Interview. One of our friendly Customer Relationships Officers will contact you for a quick chat to discuss any support you may need and gather final enrolment details.
5. Accept Your Course Fees Quote. Once your enrolment application has been reviewed and accepted, you’ll receive a course fee quote. Simply review and accept the quote to finalise your enrolment and secure your place.

To secure your place in the course, all (5) steps of the enrolment process must be fully completed. We encourage you to complete these steps as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your training and to help ensure a smooth enrolment experience.

Government subsidised places are limited and not guaranteed. If you don’t complete your enrolment application promptly, you may miss out on securing a place. 

If your enrolment is not accepted, we’ll contact you to explain the reasons and explore other course or support options that may be more suitable for you.

Complete the enquiry form below and we will be in touch shortly.

Can I apply for this course outside Australia?

This course can be delivered to international students based in New Zealand and the USA only.

Please note: You will not be charged any fees until we have been able to assess your eligibility for funding. A $0 amount will be shown in the online application. The Customer Relationships Officer will provide you with a quote for your course fee as part of the Pre-Training Review process. On acceptance of the quote, a deposit will be required to finalise your enrolment.

Graduates of the 10966NAT Certificate IV in End-of-Life Doula Services may choose to further their studies in complementary fields to expand their scope of practice, manage their own business, enhance employment opportunities, or deepen their understanding of person-centred care. Depending on your career goals you may choose to continue your education with:

• BSB50120 Diploma of Business
• CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling
• Further professional development in areas such as grief and bereavement care, advance care planning, death literacy, and trauma-informed practice.

Note: Essential Skills Training and Recruitment does not offer all qualifications listed above.

Click here for answers to some frequently asked questions.