This skills group provides pathways to work as an independent End of Life Doula or enhance your existing role within the health, aged care, disability, palliative care or community services sectors.

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.

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 death and dying, witnessing death, after-death care and supporting people experiencing profound grief or trauma. These topics can feel deeply personal and may be challenging for some learners.

If you have experienced a recent bereavement, have personal experience of trauma or may find providing physical care to a person approaching the end of life distressing, we encourage you to consider whether now is the right time to undertake this study.

Please prioritise your wellbeing throughout the course. Speak with your Trainer or our Student Support Team if you feel distressed or need support at any time.

There are no formal entry requirements for End of Life Doula Services Skills Group.

• Be over 21 years of age
• Have a Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• Have the Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) skills sufficient to interpret complex documents, prepare written reports and communicate effectively with health professionals. This will be tested through a LLN assessment as part of the course entry process.
• Provide a current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC)
• Provide a current Working with Children/Working with Vulnerable People Check (or equivalent)
• Have the emotional and professional maturity to support people through complex and emotionally challenging situations.
• Be prepared to participate in practical assessment activities, including role plays and scenarios involving real or simulated clients.

• 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.

Practical Assessment Requirements
This qualification includes practical assessment activities designed to reflect real-world End of Life Doula practice. As part of your assessments, you will be required to participate in role plays and simulated scenarios, and complete some activities with real or simulated clients.

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 Skills Group consists of (4) units

NAT11440001 Explore end of life care options and the role of the end of life doula
NAT11440002 Provide holistic support through the end of life phase in preferred environment
NAT11440003 Undertake holistic after death care
NAT11440004 Provide holistic funeral and bereavement support

The units within the End of Life Doula Services Skills Group are from the 11440NAT Certificate IV in End of Life Doula Services. If you’re interested in pursuing the full qualification, these units may count toward its completion. For more information about the full course, including the units covered and cost please click here.

Outlined below is the approximate fee range for this Skills Group:

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.

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.

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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.

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There are four main steps in our enrolment process. These help us make sure the course is suitable for you and understand any support you may need.

1. Complete your Enrolment Application
Complete your online application and provide the information and documents we need to assess your enrolment.

2. Complete your Course Readiness Check
After submitting your application, we’ll send you a link to complete a short online activity that helps us understand your current language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills. Please set aside around 15–20 minutes to complete it.

3. Complete your Course Suitability Check-in
If you haven’t already spoken with our team, we’ll contact you for a short phone conversation about the course, its suitability for you and any support you may need.

4. Accept your Course Fee Quote
Once the required steps are complete, we’ll send you a quote confirming your course fees. You’ll need to review and accept your quote before we can finalise your enrolment.

All steps must be completed before we can confirm your enrolment.

If we’re unable to offer you a place, we’ll contact you to discuss the outcome and any other suitable options that may be available.

We are unable to enrol International students at this time.

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

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 End of Life Doula Services Skills Group 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:

• 11440NAT Certificate IV in End of Life Doula Services
• 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.

Explore our Student Information Page for more helpful details about studying with us.