End of life doula training
Preparing the Way provides the most comprehensive end of life doula training in Australia and New Zealand, with different courses to suit everyone.
Who is end of life doula training for?
Our end of life doula training is for you if:
- you want to be more informed about your end of life options
- you want to prepare yourself to care for someone close to you
- you are considering becoming a professional end of life doula
- you work in health care and want to broaden your skills around end of life
- you work as an end of life doula and want to refine your skills and join a doula community
Preparing the Way offers free information sessions, workshops, intensives, master classes, and a 10966NAT Certificate IV in End of Life Doula Services, Australia’s only end of life doula accreditation.
Where to begin end of life doula training?
We offer flexible end of life doula training that lets you start wherever you’re most comfortable.
- End of Life Doula Training 101 – This is a free hour-long information session where you can bring all your questions about end of life doulas and the training we provide at Preparing the Way.
- Our nine-hour Foundation Workshop is where many of our end of life doulas begin.
- Foundation graduates often go on to our comprehensive four-day Intensive Course.
- End of Life Doula Skill Set are four nationally accredited end of life doula-specific units. This is a way of embarking on nationally accredited training without committing to the length, cost and demands of the 15-unit Certificate IV.
- Some end of life doulas are ready to apply for the Certificate IV in End of Life Doula Services, which takes 18 months to complete.
Our infographic below shows various pathways available in our end of life doula training. Explore our offerings further down, submit an enquiry, or register for a class.
Wherever you are in your journey, our experienced team will help guide you towards your end of life doula goals.
Why train with Preparing the Way?
Preparing the Way is one of the few organisations in Australasia dedicated solely to end of life doula training. It was established in 2015 by Helen Callanan in response to growing requests for education and services in end of life doula care.
Since then, Preparing the Way has quickly grown to become the leading end of life doula training provider in Australia and New Zealand. We have trained over 590 end of life doulas to provide end of life care that is transforming how people support those approaching end of life.
In 2022, Preparing the Way launched the world’s first and only nationally accredited 10966NAT Certificate IV in End of Life Services. This professional course establishes an industry benchmark for quality of service. It also legitimises the crucial role end of life doulas play.
We also care about our doulas. When you train with Preparing the Way, you join our community. You’ll make connections and friends, access resources just for you, and get support at every step of your journey as an end of life doula.
We offer a range of education options, whether you’re looking to learn more about your end of life options, support one person close to you, or many people. We also support our community of end of life doulas and continue working to develop resources to take end of life doula services into the future.
End of Life Doula Training
End of Life Doula Training 101
Find out about all our end of life doula training options in this free session with Preparing the Way’s founder, director and lead educator, Helen Callanan.
Helen will tell you about all offerings–our Foundation Workshop, Intensive Course, and our world’s first nationally accredited 10966NAT Certificate IV in End of Life Doula Services. She’ll also talk about the ways and opportunities you can apply the knowledge you gain after each course.
This is a live event, and you can bring your questions. Click below to register for our next session.
End of Life Doula Foundation Workshop
Learn the basics. Our Foundation Workshop will give you a solid basic understanding of the stages of living and how to support someone approaching their end of life.
More than 1,100 people have completed the Foundation Workshop. This workshop is for anyone who wants to prepare to care for someone else approaching end of life, whether that’s a close person or people in the community. The Foundation Workshop is often the first step to becoming an end of life doula.
The Foundation Workshop is delivered live online and in person over a day or two half-days.
End of Life Doula Intensive Course
Our Intensive Course is a four-day comprehensive look at what an end of life doula does, how we do it, where, and why.
This course is live online and led by our most experienced educators. There are at most eight people per class to ensure a safe, guided space for deep exploration and sharing.
The Intensive Course is a flagship end of life doula training, and more than 500 doulas have completed it. This course is ideal for anyone who wants to become an end of life doula and health professionals who wish to expand their end of life skills.
End of Life Doula Skill Set
Starts 5 March
Our End of Life Doula Skill is comprised of four nationally accredited end of life doula-specific units, which are unique and exclusive to Preparing the Way. This is a way of embarking on nationally accredited training without needing to commit to the length, cost, and demands of the 15-unit Certificate IV.
Doulas may take one or more of the four units.
10966NAT Certificate IV in End of Life Services
Commencing in March
Our 10966NAT Certificate IV in End of Life Doula Services is a world-first and Australia’s only national accreditation.
This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to provide first-class holistic care for someone throughout their end of life journey. It’s ideal for people who want to take their professional end of life work to the next level.
The 10966NAT Certificate IV in End of Life Doula Services is an 18-month-long course with entry requirements. You will enrol with Essential Skills Training and Recruitment (RTO ID 92719) if accepted. Training is delivered in partnership with Preparing the Way.
Want to know more? Get in touch!
If you need help figuring out where to start or would like more information about our end of life doula training, please complete and submit the form below.
We’re always available to chat through all our doula training options to help you decide what’s best for you, depending on your goals and dreams.
Testimonials
I am so pleased to be a part of the first cohort of doulas doing the Certificate IV. It is a game changer, a world first, and this qualification will open doors and raise the profile of doulas in Australia. I would love to see institutions and care providers adding Doula to their allied services. With the Cert IV, this is possible.
Preparing the Way are exceptional in their training, and the ongoing support and mentoring are invaluable. I highly recommend the Intensive Course, which is thought-provoking, inclusive, well planned and delivered with abundant knowledge, passion, and compassion.
If you are interested in exploring the possibilities of a supported, informed, and personal experience, this Foundation Workshop is the beginning of a world of new and dignified choices. Indeed the best workshop I have taken.