Units / AHC5001
AHC5001 · Communication in health and disability
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 5School of Primary & Allied Health Care
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
Good communication builds a healthier Australia. This online unit is designed to develop an advanced level of understanding related to health, disability, and effective interdisciplinary healthcare communication. You will analyse, synthesise and reflect on develop an understanding of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework, and how communication can be an enabler to health and wellbeing. You will also be introduced to the different types and methods of communication across health and disability sectors. This unit will build on your knowledge of the Australian Healthcare system, how they align with other health care systems, and will explore the differences in communication strategies used by government, health services, and disability services.
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Peninsula | First semester | Teaching is all online (ONLINE) |
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Online quizzes (12 x 30 mins online) | Quiz / Test | 10% | — |
| 2 | Audit of accessible communication (1,500 wordsd) | Exercise | 25% | — |
| 3 | Critical analysis and Self-Reflection on communication styles (1,500 words) | Written | 25% | Competency |
| 4 | Communication Methods Presentation (2,400 words) | Presentation | 40% | Competency |
Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit.
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.
Learning outcomes
- Compare and contrast the communication styles that are used in the health care and disability sectors.
- Evaluate communication theory and its application in the health care system within Australia and reflect upon its interface with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.
- Critically analyse and apply the different tools which are used to illustrate and summarise communication styles.
- Critically reflect on the influence of your own communication experiences and the relationship to your development needs in providing person-centre care when working with people who have lived experience of disability.
- Critically appraise apply conceptual and technical skills in diverse communication styles.
- Appraise and apply the principles of cultural safety and inclusivity within written, verbal and social health communications.
Workload
The average time required for the dedicated online tasks and private study hours is equivalent of 12 hours per week during a regular semester. There will be six hours of directed online learning in this unit and 6 hours of self-directed learning per week.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 1 hours |
| Tutorials | 2 hours |
Ask about AHC5001
Answered from the Handbook fields above — no AI, no guessing. Every answer links back to the source.
Community discussions about AHC5001
CommunityStudent experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.