Course Outline

This qualification consists of 12 units of competency. 8 Core units and 4 NAT units . 

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Course Content

The program is made up of 17 modules:​

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• Module 1: Welcome. Course expectations. Your core beliefs and attitudes towards birth. Clarifying the Doula role.

• Module 2: First trimester of pregnancy - mum, partner and baby. Relief of early discomforts. Pre Natal testing. Sexual and reproductive health rights. Journal keeping. Creating your own relaxation space.

• Module 3: Second trimester – mum, partner and baby. Nutrition and exercise in pregnancy. Natural remedies. Relaxation tools. Homebirth. Consent in pregnancy and labour. Third trimester and complications.

• Module 4: Positions of the baby, Optimum birthing positions. Birth preparation. Effective communication. The Doula Heart Network charity arm. The Groundwork Program.

• Module 5:  Pre-labour. Medical inductions. Fear in birth. Fears of the Doula. Childbirth complications.

• Module 6: Early vs Established labour. Endorphins. Dads/partners. Doulas and support people.

• Module 7: Transitions in life. Transitions in birth. 2nd stage of labour. Indigenous birthing culture. Understanding the LGBTQI+ community.

• Module 8: Reassessment of the Doula role. Doula research and statistics. Your doula bag. Birth plans and preferences. Positive affirmations. Maternal decision making.

• Module 9: Pain and its contributors. Methods of pain relief, natural and medical.

• Module 10: Caesareans. VBAC. Understanding the microbiome and vaginal seeding.

• Module 11: Unexpected outcomes. Grieving and healing. Miscarriage, termination and stillbirth laws. End of Life Doulas.

• Module 12: Self-awareness. Self-care. Personal supervision – why and who? De-briefing.

• Module 13: Siblings at birth. Introducing older children. 3rd Stage. Placenta encapsulation. Lotus birth.

• Student Experience Readiness: What you need for your Student Birth Experiences

• Module 14: Breastfeeding. Bottle-feeding. Working with mums for the best outcome. Resources.

• Module 15: Baby growth and development. Vitamin K and Hep B. Routine newborn checks. Procedures and screening.

• Module 16: Understanding sleep and settling for babies. New parents support. 24 hr clock. Baby massage and bathing.

• Module 17:  The role of the postnatal doula. 4th trimester. Working with complex needs clients. Professional boundaries

• Getting Started: Starting your Doula business. Working under agreements. ADC Community and ongoing support. Welcome to your Doula-hood!

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Students have the support of their trainer as well as the wider ADC training team and members of the Professional Development Centre. Our on call phone is available to students 24/7. Students can sign up for an ADC Community student membership for $50 (12 month membership) which will provide access to the masterclasses and resource centre to assist with your studies and closed Community Facebook group among other benefits. 

  

Student Experiences 

All student Doulas will need to meet the following requirements: 

  

• Complete pre-course information sheet and made payment in full 

• Have a current First Aid, CPR and WWCC before taking on your 3 birth experiences 

• Support 3 births experiences as a Student Doula (a small fee is charged to the client) 

• Develop a resources list for pregnant women and new parents 

• Demonstrate openness and an ability to integrate knowledge and feelings 

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Enrolment

PDC accepts applications from all students who meet the entry requirements published in the course information.  Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis but if a course is full, you will be offered a place in a course starting at a later date.   

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To apply to enrol in a course, you must complete an Enrolment Form/Application Form.  If you are applying for a course that has entry requirements you will also need to provide the necessary evidence (as indicated on the Course Outline) such as verified copies of qualifications, CV or other evidence.  

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If you are applying for Credit you should indicate this on your enrolment and supply certified copies of your transcripts so we can assess your application for Credit. See the section on Credits in this Handbook below.  

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Upon approval of your application/enrolment, you will be sent further information about the next steps, payment arrangements and how you can get started in your course. 

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Unique Student Identifier (USI)

 

A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a reference number made up of numbers and letters that creates a lifetime record for an individual of all the nationally recognized training that has been completed.  Under the Unique Student Identifiers Act 2014, all RTOs must ensure they have a valid USI for any student that enrolls in nationally recognised training from 2015.  This means (unless you have an exemption issued by the USI registrar) that as a student you must either: 

• Provide us with your USI, or  

• Provide us with permission to access or create your USI on your behalf. 

For information about exemptions for individuals please review this webpage: https://www.usi.gov.au/training-organisations/training-organisation-requirements/exemptions-individuals/how-apply 

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If you are providing us with permission to access or create your USI we will need a valid form of identification. The ID that you provide for this purpose will be destroyed once we have used it for this purpose. 

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If you would like to create your own USI, please visit: http://www.usi.gov.au/Students/Pages/default.aspx  

We are unable to issue a qualification or a statement of attainment unless we have a valid USI or a notice of exemption from the registrar. 

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Credits 

A credit is formal recognition of the previous studies you have completed for the purpose of reducing the units or modules that you are required to complete in the course you are enrolled in with us. 

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PDC can grant you credit towards your course for units of competency or modules that you have already completed with another RTO or authorised issuing organisation. We can also grant you Credit for subjects or units you have completed where equivalence can be established between the unit/ module in your course, and the subject or unit you have completed. 

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There is no charge to apply for Credit.  

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To apply, fill in the Credit Application Form and submit it as part of your enrolment/application. You can apply for Credit at any time however it is best you do this as part of your enrolment so that Credits are known upfront and you are not required to do any work that you otherwise may not have needed to do. 

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Make sure you attach certified copies of transcripts from your previous study. In some cases we may ask for additional information about the subject or unit you previously studied so we can determine equivalence. Your Credit Application may be returned to you if you don’t provide the required information.  

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In some cases, Credits may lead to a reduction in the course fees as there is less work involved in offering your course. This will be advised to you in writing. 

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You will be advised in writing of the outcome of your Credit Application.  

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Recognition of Prior Learning  

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where skills and knowledge that you have gained through work and life experience and other unrecognised training can be formally recognised. 

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PDC has a process that has been structured to minimise the time and cost to applicants and provides a supportive approach to students wishing to take up this option.  You should ideally apply for RPL at the time of enrolment but you may also apply up to 2 weeks into your course.  

If you think RPL is a suitable option for you, the first step is to contact your trainer/assessor or our office and have a conversation about whether or not RPL might be suitable for you. Suitability is often determined on how much experience you have in a certain area, your work history and previous training. If RPL is determined as a possibility for you, you will be provided with a kit that will guide you in working through each unit to determine relevant skills and experience and identify whether you would be able to provide the required evidence. 

A trainer/assessor will be available to assist you throughout this process.  

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To apply for RPL, you will need to fill in a part of the kit and return it with an RPL Application Form. Your application will then be assessed for suitability and you will then be contacted by an assessor to progress the RPL process.  

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From here, usually the RPL process involves gathering evidence to demonstrate skills, knowledge and experience, responding to questions, completing tasks and depending on the area, observation of your work skills in your workplace. 

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Fees are applicable for Recognition of Prior Learning and you will be advised of these fees upon contacting us. Alternatively  - you may wish to insert details here regarding the application fee and any other fees and charges involved in RPL (or not if these vary from course to course). 

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For more information about submitting an application for RPL, contact the head office. 

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Assessment arrangements 

Submitting your assessments 

You must submit written assessment tasks via the Australian Doula College CANVAS site. 

You must keep a copy of all tasks that you submit as we are not able to return copies because we must keep them as evidence in your file.  Additionally, we will not be held responsible for any items that go missing in the post. If this occurs, you will be asked to re-submit the work.  

Written work will be marked within 30 days of receipt. Your assessor will provide you with written feedback. 

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Reasonable adjustment in assessment 

Some students may need modifications to assessments due to disability, illness or special considerations – this is called reasonable adjustment.  

Reasonable adjustment can involve: 

• Making training and assessment resources and methods more accessible e.g. providing learner workbooks in an audio format or on different coloured paper. 

• Adapting physical facilities, environment and/or equipment e.g. setting up hearing loops. 

• Making changes to the assessment arrangements e.g. more time allowed for assessments. 

• Making changes to the way evidence for assessment is gathered e.g. written questions asked orally 

Please speak to your assessor if you think that you may need an adjustment made. Note these adjustments are made at the discretion of your assessor based on your identified needs. 

  

Appealing assessment decisions 

If you do not agree with any assessment decision, you can lodge an assessment appeal.  Please refer to the Complaints and Appeals section in this handbook for information about how to lodge an appeal. 

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Support services 

We are committed to ensuring that you get all the support you need to be successful in your studies.  You may not have studied for a while and or you might need help with study skills.  You may also need assistance with skills such as reading, writing and maths. 

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The enrolment form you complete will help us to identify any support you need and depending on the course you are enrolling in, you may also be required to complete a test that assesses your language, literacy and numeracy skills.  Based on the information you provide in your enrolment and/or the results of your language, literacy and numeracy test, we will contact you to discuss your support needs.  

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Your support needs can also be discussed during the induction to your course.  

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Services that we can offer to you include: 

• One to one support from our trainers/assessors including providing you with their phone and email contact details 

• Classes to assist with study skills.  

• Study groups where you can work with your fellow students.  

• Referral to relevant external services.  

• Specialist support services for students with a disability. 

Contact us to discuss your support needs. 

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Fees, Charges and Refunds  

For our fees, charges and refunds policy please head to https://www.acdcs.edu.au/policy 

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Complaints and Appeals 

For information on complaints and appeals please head to https://www.PDC.edu.au/policy