View cart
Enrol
Better sleep Happier baby 1300 558 608 Enrol

Aboriginal Family Support Services

Adelaide 2017 1

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have unique healthcare needs that require a culturally sensitive approach. The use of baby massage can be a powerful tool for supporting the health and well-being of Aboriginal families, and there is a growing body of evidence to support its effectiveness. Certified Infant Massage Instructors and Paediatric Massage Consultants can play a valuable role in this process by providing expert guidance and support to parents and caregivers.

By incorporating massage into the care of newborns and young children, Aboriginal families can experience a range of benefits, including improved bonding, reduced stress and anxiety, enhanced sleep patterns, and improved digestion. Furthermore, incorporating traditional healing practices into massage sessions, such as the use of native plants and oils, can help to reconnect families with their cultural heritage and strengthen their sense of identity. 

Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People Pregnancy Care 

Antenatal care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women requires a woman-centred approach that takes into account cultural beliefs, practices and needs. Respect for the individual views and beliefs of women and local communities is needed, and the way health professionals talk to women is of utmost importance, particularly for younger women. For women experiencing adverse events in their pregnancies, the reasons are diverse and occur throughout the life course, ranging from socioeconomic and health factors to lifestyle factors. Achieving culturally safe maternity services is crucial in improving health outcomes for Indigenous mothers and babies. The provision of culturally safe care requires a willingness to gain knowledge, understanding and skills to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to acknowledge and respect cultural differences. Cultural safety is also relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals. 

Providing a comfortable and welcoming physical space, establishing rapport and trust, providing continuity of care, ensuring privacy and confidentiality, involving the partner or father of the baby, having knowledge about the woman's community, and having flexible scheduling of appointments can improve a woman's experience of antenatal care. Cultural awareness education programs and tools for evaluating individual and organisational cultural responsiveness have been developed. Successful models of antenatal care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women include midwifery group practice and continuity of midwifery care, with evidence showing improved cultural safety, experiences and outcomes related to Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People pregnancy and birth. Baby massage can be a beneficial addition to antenatal care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, with the support of Certified Infant Massage Instructors and Paediatric Massage Consultants.

It is important for support workers who work with Aboriginal families to understand the potential benefits of baby massage and to seek out appropriate training and support to provide this service in a culturally sensitive manner.

First Nations People Health Services NSW

Are you interested in working with new First Nations families and helping them care for their little ones? Our baby massage courses in Sydney are perfect for anyone wanting to support new parents in their physical interaction with their babies. Our courses cover everything you need to know to teach parents massage and touch therapy for infants.

With over 60,000 babies born every year in the Greater Sydney area over the last 5 years, learning how to teach safe and effective infant massage in Sydney is an excellent choice for those looking for flexible, rewarding work with babies and their families.

Our courses are held at 169 Castlereagh Street, Sydney from August 18-20, 2023, from 9am to 5pm each day. If you have any questions about our baby massage courses or how learning this therapeutic skill can help you work with First Nations families, please don"t hesitate to contact us.

Getting started with us is easy - we offer two pathways to becoming a certified infant massage instructor depending on whether you hold related qualifications or will study baby massage as something new. There are no prerequisites for the instructor-level qualification, and you can choose from an at-home, online self-paced course or face-to-face sessions with an experienced trainer.

For those who already work in health, allied health, natural therapies, or early childhood education, our Sydney infant massage classes can provide you with a qualification as a Paediatric Massage Consultant, allowing you to further expand your offering to new parents and their babies.

Course Fees

Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) qualification prices range from $1125 - $1650. This qualification has no prerequisite requirements.

Paediatric Massage Consultant (PMC) qualification prices range from $1485 to $2010. To apply for the paediatric level qualification, students must have a prior qualification in health, allied health, natural therapies, or early childhood education.

We offer various enrollment package options, and interest-free payment plans are available. Please refer to our Fee Structure for more information.

Learning Outcomes

By the conclusion of the course, you will be able to:

  • Prepare an appropriate environment to demonstrate touch therapy and massage techniques to First Nations parents.
  • Provide clear, easy-to-follow demonstrations for First Nations parents on touch therapy and massage strokes for infants and older children.
  • Understand potential stress signals displayed during massage in addition to massage contraindications for infants and children.
  • Answer common questions regarding infant massage and provide correct and current advice on topics directly related to massage with infants (for example, oil recommendations, massage timing etc).

We provide onsite baby massage training for First Nations staff, or we can arrange a venue if needed. Staff training is provided for First Nations organisations, charities, government bodies, and area health services. Our training for your team is usually completed as a 2-day program; however, individual needs and outcomes are reviewed so that a tailored program and quote can be formulated for each staff training request.

We are committed to providing accessible and culturally safe baby massage courses for professionals who work to support First Nations People in NSW. Please contact us at 1300 558 608 or email 

hello@babymassage.net.au to learn more about our first people pregnancy resources that can help new parents begin learning about baby massage during their pregnancy.

First Nations People Support Services SA

If you"re interested in working with new First Nations families and aiding them with their new baby, then our baby massage courses in Adelaide are perfect for you. Whether you already work in a related field or have a genuine passion for helping new parents and their babies, our courses are open to everyone.

With an average of about 20,000 births consistently recorded in South Australia, the demand for infant massage for First Nations families in Adelaide is steadily growing. Gain a professionally recognised qualification with our baby massage courses and begin working as a certified infant massage instructor in South Australia.

We offer two types of courses: the Certified Infant Massage Instructor course and the Paediatric Massage Consultant certification. To apply, simply fill out an application form via post or email, or enrol online.

Our courses are held at 55 Frome St, Adelaide from June 23 to 25, 2023, from 9am to 5pm each day. If you have any questions about our baby massage courses or how learning this therapeutic skill can help you work with First Nations families, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Course Fees

Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) qualification prices range from $1125 - $1650. This qualification has no prerequisite requirements.

Paediatric Massage Consultant (PMC) qualification prices range from $1485 - $2010. To apply for the paediatric level qualification, students must have a prior qualification in health, allied health, natural therapies or early childhood education.

Interest-free payment plans are available. Please refer to the course fee table for more information.

Learning Outcomes

By the conclusion of the course, you will be able to:

  • Prepare an appropriate environment to demonstrate touch therapy and massage techniques to First Nations parents.
  • Provide clear, easy-to-follow demonstrations for First Nations parents on touch therapy and massage strokes for infants and older children.
  • Understand potential stress signals displayed during massage in addition to massage contraindications for infants and children.
  • Answer common questions regarding infant massage and provide correct and current advice on topics directly related to massage with infants (for example, oil recommendations, massage timing etc).

We provide onsite baby massage training for staff who provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support services SA-wide to First Nations families, or we can arrange a venue for off-site training upon request.

Staff training is provided for First Nations organisations, charities, government bodies, and area health services. Our training for your team is usually completed as a 2-day program; however, individual needs and outcomes are reviewed so that a personalised program and quote can be formulated for each staff training request.

We also offer our 3-day intensive baby massage courses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, and Perth. If you can't attend our training sessions in person, we offer correspondence study with practical tasks completed via video submissions assessed by the IMIS training team.

At Infant Massage Information Service (IMIS), we are committed to providing accessible and culturally safe baby massage courses for professionals who work to support First Nations People in South Australia. Please contact us at 1300 558 608 or email hello@babymassage.net.au to learn more about our first people pregnancy resources that can help new parents begin learning about baby massage during their pregnancy.

First Nations People Health Services VIC

If you are passionate about your role in working with infants, children and their families in a First Nations community, the Infant Massage Information Service (IMIS) can assist you in expanding the support services you offer through onsite baby massage training for your staff. Staff training can be provided onside at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services Vic-wide or a venue can be arranged if needed.

We provide training for First Nations organisations, area health services, government bodies, charities and teams who work with infants and/or older children and their families in Melbourne.

Our staff training programs can be tailored to meet the specific needs of First Nations communities in Melbourne. We understand the importance of cultural safety and our trainers are able to work with staff to ensure training is culturally appropriate and respectful of local customs, values, and beliefs.

Our staff training programs are usually completed over a two-day period, but we review individual needs and outcomes to develop a personalised program and quote for each staff training request. Email hello@babymassage.net.au or call 1300 558 608 to enquire.

Course Fees

The cost of the Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) qualification ranges from $1125 to $1650. This qualification has no prerequisite requirements and is ideal for those who want to become a qualified baby massage instructor.

The Paediatric Massage Consultant (PMC) qualification is ideal for healthcare professionals or professionals working in related fields such as allied health, natural therapies, or early childhood education. The cost for this qualification ranges from $1485 to $2010. To apply for this paediatric-level qualification, students must have a prior qualification in health, allied health, natural therapies, or early childhood education.

We offer various enrolment package options to suit different needs and budgets, and interest-free payment plans are available. For more information on our course fees and enrollment options, please refer to our Fee Structure page.

Learning outcomes

By the conclusion of training, participants will be able to:

  • Prepare an appropriate environment to demonstrate touch therapy and massage techniques to parents in First Nations communities in Victoria.
  • Provide clear, easy-to-follow demonstrations for parents on touch therapy and massage strokes for infants and older children, respecting cultural protocols and sensitivities specific to Victoria’s First Nations communities.
  • Understand potential stress signals displayed during massage in addition to massage contraindications for infants and children in First Nations communities in Victoria.
  • Answer common questions regarding infant massage and provide correct and current advice on topics directly related to massage with infants (for example, oil recommendations and massage timing, etc.) in the context of First Nations communities in Victoria.

If a personalised program or onsite training isn"t suitable for your team, staff members are able to attend one of our 3-day intensive baby massage courses in Melbourne.

If training dates and locations are not suitable, training can be completed via correspondence study. For correspondence study, practical tasks are completed via video submissions assessed by the IMIS training team.

Please contact us at 1300 558 608 or email hello@babymassage.net.au to learn more about our first people pregnancy resources that can help new parents begin learning about baby massage during their pregnancy.

Our staff members are passionate about helping staff who support First Nations communities in VIC to develop skills and knowledge in infant massage. We understand the cultural significance of touch in First Nations communities and are committed to providing respectful and culturally appropriate training to meet the specific needs of each community we work with in Victoria.

Enquire today to learn how we can work with your team to provide safe and effective infant massage services to families you support in First Nations communities in VIC.

Eligibility and Course Prerequisites

No prior training or qualifications are required for the Certified Infant Massage Instructor(CIMI) qualification.

Wanting the Paediatric Massage Consultant (PMC) qualification and wondering if you meet the prerequisite requirements?

If your qualifications fall under the categories of health, allied health, natural therapies or education, you are guaranteed to meet the prerequisite requirements for the paediatric level qualification.

Some examples of qualifications that meet the prerequisite requirements for the PMC qualification are included below (please note, this is not a full list). 

Examples of health qualifications approved for PMC:

Nurse, midwife, aboriginal health worker, community health worker, retired nurse, child & family practitioner, paediatric nurse, maternal/child health nurse, neonatal nurse, paediatrician, medical doctor.

Examples of allied health qualifications approved for PMC:

Chiropractor, doula, childbirth educator, lactation consultant/educator, science degrees, mental health professional, social worker, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist. 

Examples of natural therapy qualifications approved for PMC:

Massage therapist, yoga instructor, nutritionist, Chinese medicine, kinesiology, myotherapist, naturopath.

Examples of educator qualifications approved for PMC:

Early childhood educator, early childhood teacher, other educator (e.g. B. ED Studies, diploma in primary teaching)

PMC students receive both qualifications, the Certificate in Infant Massage Instruction and the Paediatric Massage Consultant qualification. To obtain the paediatric qualification you need to meet the prerequisite requirements, complete your baby massage training through the Infant Massage Information Service and successfully complete 4 competency tasks. In addition to working with parents, and teaching them how to massage their babies, PMCs can provide theory presentations to other professionals, educating them on the researched benefits of massage for infants and children and ensuring they are aware of services available to families in this field. 

Course Fees and Variations

Course fees are the same regardless of your method of study (face-to-face or online).

Fees for the Certificate in Infant Massage Instruction range from $1125 - $1650, depending on the enrolment package (inclusions) selected. Interest-free payment plans are available and these are personalised for each student. 

Fees for the Paediatric Massage Consultant qualification range from $1485 - $2010, depending on the enrolment package (inclusions) selected. Interest-free payment plans are available and these are personalised for each student. 

The course fee table outlining the enrolment packages (inclusions) can be accessed here: Fee Structure | Baby Massage

Please note, the table automatically displays the fees for the Certified Infant Massage Instructor qualification. To view the fees and inclusions for the Paediatric Massage Consultant (PMC) qualification, be sure to click on the 'Paediatric Massage Consultant' box. 

Face-to-Face Course Details

Face-to-face training dates and locations can be found on our course dates and locations page: Locations | Baby Massage

The face-to-face training is completed over 3 days and courses are always held on a Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

Career and Qualification Pathways

Infant Massage Information Service 3-day face-to-face courses have a mixture of both Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) and Paediatric Massage Consultant (PMC) students.

All students cover the same content/units of study.

The differences are:

- Our CIMI students are usually going into the industry as something new i.e. with no prior related background. There are no pre-requisite requirements they need to meet.

- CIMI students complete the 3-day course successfully and are then able to work with parents, teaching infant massage. All assessment work is completed within the 3 days of the course.

- Our PMC students have prior, related training and/or experience in health, allied health, natural therapies or early childhood education and care.

- After the 3 days in class, there is one additional assignment completed. The additional PMC task takes approximately 2 days to complete and does not need to be done in the 2 days directly following the course. PMC students can complete their additional assessment when convenient and follow the instructions provided to upload their submission for marking when they're ready. 

- Our PMC students receive both qualifications – the CIMI qualification and the PMC qualification. The CIMI level qualification is provided immediately after the 3-day face-to-face course and the PMC qualification is issued after the additional PMC assessment has been completed. 

- PMCs can work with parents, teaching infant massage in the same way that CIMIs can. What PMCs are also able to do is provide theory presentations to professional groups on infant massage. The presentations are fairly straightforward and usually follow the same format e.g. – Self-introduction, benefits of infant massage, research reviews, dispelling common myths relating to infant massage and information on services available to parents in this field. 

Various industry bodies request these types of presentations and PMCs are paid a presentation fee for this work directly by the organisation or body who has requested them. PMC presentations offer a unique opportunity to network with other professionals and potentially receive additional referrals for your infant massage work with parents.  
 

What if I'm completing the course via correspondence study?

Each correspondence intake period has a mix of both Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) and Paediatric Massage Consultant (PMC) students.

All students cover the same content/units of study.

The differences are:

- Our CIMI students are usually going into the industry as something new i.e. with no prior related background. There are no pre-requisite requirements they need to meet.

- CIMI students successfully complete 3 competency tasks at their own pace and are then able to work with parents, teaching infant massage. 

- Our PMC students have prior, related training and/or experience in health, allied health, natural therapies or early childhood education and care.

- There is one additional assignment completed for the PMC qualification.

- Our PMC students receive both qualifications – the CIMI qualification and the PMC qualification.

- PMCs can work with parents, teaching infant massage in the same way that CIMIs can. What PMCs are also able to do is provide theory presentations to professional groups on infant massage. The presentations are fairly straightforward and usually follow the same format e.g. – Self-introduction, benefits of infant massage, research reviews, dispelling common myths relating to infant massage and information on services available to parents in this field. 

Various industry bodies request these types of presentations and PMCs are paid a presentation fee for this work directly by the organisation or body who has requested them. PMC presentations offer a unique opportunity to network with other professionals and potentially receive additional referrals for your infant massage work with parents. 

Online Study

The correspondence program is thorough, easy to work through and offers a convenient way to study. 100% of the course requirements are completed from home, including all practical work meaning no travel or onsite attendance is needed.

Once your enrollment is complete and the course fees are paid, you will receive a welcome email providing you with full access to the course content. Your welcome email includes your pdf training manual with all of the course theory work and assessment instructions as well as links to the practical video files you need to watch. A training pack containing your demonstration doll and any other resources in your enrolment pack is sent via post.

There's no need to wait for your training pack to arrive via post before you begin studying. As soon as you receive your welcome email you can get started with the course theory work, then move on to the practical techniques once your demonstration doll arrives. 

You're welcome to study at your own pace to complete the course. Most students complete everything within the space of a few weeks. If students have a lot of other commitments and limited time, they might finish the course over a few months instead. Whatever study period you need is ok, there are no enforced deadlines you need to meet. 

There are 3 or 4 assessment tasks to complete depending on the qualification level you enrol in. The tasks are easy to complete and personalised assistance is available throughout the course if you need help with questions or clarifications. 

Your theory assessment is an open book, multiple-choice exam which ensures you've worked through the training manual. You're provided with an answer sheet to complete which can be emailed as an attachment or uploaded for marking. Practical tasks are recorded using any device (most students use their phone). The recordings are uploaded for the trainers to view and report on. Practical reports are extremely detailed to ensure you're confident in practical techniques prior to certification. 

Enrol Now