Workforce Training

Our programs help organisations improve LGBTQIA+ inclusion, strengthen affirmative practice and build confidence in supporting diverse communities.

Thorne Harbour Health

200 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford, VIC

Online

Teams

Cost

TGDiCH programs are free for eligible Victorian organisations. Other training is priced according to the type of training, delivery method and level of customisation. Contact us to request a quote.
Email Us

We offer workforce training across two core streams: free trans and gender diverse health training for GPs and clinicians, and fee-for-service LGBTIQA+ affirmative practice courses for a broad range of health professionals.

Training can be delivered in person at your workplace, from our Melbourne office, or online. Sessions range from one-hour introductions through to full-day workshops and can be tailored to your organisation.

Trans and Gender Diverse in Community Health (TGDiCH) Training

TGDiCH is our flagship workforce development program for Victorian health services.

These free training sessions and courses help clinicians build the skills and confidence to provide affirming care for trans and gender diverse communities. Get in contact to book any of these courses.

For: GPs and Clinicians

Clinical Training

Three-session course over a month. Topics include:

  • The role of the GP in gender affirmation
  • Gender affirming hormone therapy prescription and management
  • Navigating surgical and options and referrals
  • Cultural sensitivty and affirming practice

This course qualifies for RAGCP CPD points.

GP observerships:

Shadow a GP at our Equinox Gender Diverse Healthcare Centre.

For: Whole GP Clinics

Whole Clinic Capacity Building

2-hour online training for GP Clinics in Victoria looking to improve practice. Session covers:

  • Deeping understanding of gender diversity beyond binary frameworks.
  • Legal and ethical considerations, including documentation, privacy, and anti-discrimination protections.
  • Using inclusive intake processes, service pathways, and facilities (e.g., non-gendered bathrooms).
  • Addressing specific barriers faced by TGD people in accessing healthcare and support services

Note: Clinics have to be based in Victoria and must have had at least one clinician who has completed the Clinical Training/ Primary Care Series.

For: GPs and Clinicians

Community of Practice

A free, live, online, and peer-based educational platform, creating a community of practice for GPs and Prescribing Clinicians providing TGD healthcare in Victoria.

Topics include:

  • Fertility Preservation & Planning, Pre and Post Natal Care
  • Cancer Screening
  • Interpreting Laboratory Pathology

Other workforce training courses

Discover a range of tailored training sessions.

For: All Health professionals

LGBTIQA+ Affirmative Practice

Designed for clinical and community health professionals, this module focuses on providing culturally safe and affirming care to LGBTIQA+ people across diverse healthcare environments.

  • Applying inclusive communication strategies during client assessments and consultations.
  • Addressing health disparities in areas such as HIV prevention, cancer screening, sexual health, and mental health.

For: All Health professionals

TGD Affirmative Practice

Participants will learn how to create affirming environments for trans and gender diverse people through respectful engagement, appropriate language, and adapting services to better support TGD clients.

  • Deepening understanding of gender diversity beyond binary frameworks.
  • Using inclusive intake processes, service pathways, and facilities (e.g., non-gendered bathrooms).
  • Addressing specific barriers faced by TGD people in accessing healthcare and support services.
For: all health professionals

Mental Health & AOD

This training explores the complex relationship between minority stress, mental health challenges, and substance use within LGBTIQA+ communities.

  • Exploring the prevalence of mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and suicidality among LGBTIQ+ people.
  • Addressing the impact of social exclusion and minority stress on mental health and coping behaviours.
For: all health professionals

Family Violence and LGBTIQA+ Communities

This training supports organisations to understand and appropriately respond to the dynamics of family violence as experienced by LGBTIQA+ communities.

  • Recognising that family violence in LGBTIQS+ relationships can include unique forms of abuse.
  • Understanding the additional barriers LGBTIQA+ people face when seeking help, including fear of discrimination from mainstream services.
  • Identifying safe referral pathways.
For: all health professionals

Reflective Practice Sessions

These sessions are designed to support practitioners to reflect on their own feelings, beliefs and experiences in a constructive way,

Sessions are customised according to organisational need and can include modules such as roleplaying, facilitated group discussion, group exercises and supported individual work.

For: all health professionals

Secondary Consultation

Thorne Harbour Health staff are available for one-off ‘case based’ discussions with staff from your organisation via phone, email, Teams or face to face.

FAQs

The session was really engaging and dynamic, providing a fantastic base to build our knowledge on trans and gender diverse inclusion in health.
Cancer Council Victoria
The session was really engaging and dynamic, providing a fantastic base to build our knowledge on trans and gender diverse inclusion in health.
Cancer Council Victoria

We can travel to your organisation or host your team in Abbotsford, Melbourne. We can travel to any location in Victoria and interstate. Some regional and rural areas may incur additional travel fees.

Training is also held online via Teams.

By participating in any of these training programs, you will:

  • Build your knowledge, skills and confidence in working with LGBTIQA+ communities.
  • Create a more inclusive and affirming workplace for LGBTIQA+ colleagues and clients.
  • Support best practice and meet relevant standards, guidelines and legal obligations for providing safe, inclusive care to LGBTIQA+ communities.

LGBTIQ+ communities often face significant barriers when accessing healthcare and support services. These barriers can include unconscious bias, lack of cultural understanding, and systemic exclusion. Without deliberate action, organisations risk perpetuating these challenges.

Our Partners

The Trans and Gender Diverse in Community Health (TGDiCH) Consortium brings together the expertise of Thorne Harbour Health, Your Community Health, Ballarat Community Health, and Austin Health.

Sign up to our newsletter.

Get the latest news from Thorne Harbour Health, including upcoming training sessions.