Orientation to Medical Administration 

Through this self-paced micro-credential, learners will develop a foundational understanding of the medical administration profession and the critical role administration teams play in supporting patient care, compliance and practice operations.

Participants will explore the patient journey within the Australian healthcare system, gain an understanding of medical records, privacy and confidentiality obligations, and learn how accurate administrative processes contribute to patient safety and risk management.

The course also introduces key practice systems and digital tools, Medicare and billing fundamentals, funded patient schemes, recalls and follow-up processes, and professional communication and escalation pathways.

Using real-world healthcare scenarios, learners will build the knowledge and confidence required to perform administrative responsibilities accurately, professionally and in accordance with industry expectations, helping them contribute effectively to a safe, efficient and patient-centred practice environment

In this micro credential, you will study 10 modules. These modules include:

Module 1: Introduction to Australia's healthcare system

• Understand how patients move through a healthcare practice and the critical role administration staff play at every stage of the patient journey. 

Module 2: Not just patient files - legal medical records

• This module explores privacy, confidentiality, documentation standards and the importance of record integrity.

Module 3: Practice systems and digital tools

• Explore how systems interact, why data integrity matters and how administrative processes can impact patient safety, privacy and business operations. 

Module 4: Privacy, consent and information release

• Examine common scenarios involving third-party requests and provides practical guidance on when to disclose information and when to escalate concerns. 

Module 5: Medicare fundamentals

• Gain knowledge into Medicare eligibility, Individual Reference Numbers (IRNs), bulk billing, private billing, assignment of benefits and the role administration staff play in supporting compliance billing processes 

Module 6: Medicare billing and claiming workflows 

• Learn how claims are created, transmitted, and managed, common causes of rejections and the shared responsibilities of administration staff, clinicians and practice managers in maintaining compliant billing workflows 

Module 7: DVA and funded patient schemes 

• Develop an understanding of eligibility requirements, card types, billing pathways and the additional compliance obligations associated with funded programs 

Module 8: PBS and prescription management

• Learn key information on authority prescriptions, concession entitlements, safety nets and the professional boundaries administration staff must maintain when responding to patient enquiries. 

Module 9: Recalls, results and follow up processes 

• Explore responsibilities across the healthcare team, documentation requirements and best-practice processes for managing patient contact and escalation. 

Module 10: Professionalism, accountability and escalation

• Understand role boundaries, escalation pathways, incident reporting, workplace accountability and the importance of knowing when to seek support, ask questions and escalate concerns. 

Visit our fees page here for more information on the course fees and payment options

• Outcome: what will I be able to do after this? 

After completing this microcredential, you will have a practical foundation in medical administration for private general practice. You will understand how patients move through a practice, how administration supports clinical care and business operations, why accurate records matter, how to work safely with practice systems, how to support Medicare/PBS-related processes within scope, how to manage results, recalls and follow-ups, and when to escalate concerns rather than make clinical decisions.

• Relevance: why does this matter in medical administration

This matters because administration is part of patient safety, privacy, compliance and the overall patient experience. The microcredential is designed to help new or inexperienced general practice administration staff understand the terminology, systems and processes used in private practice so they can support safer, smoother and more efficient care

• Recognition: Who issues the certificate?
  

The micro-credential is issued by AMA Queensland Education and Training Institute. It has been designed for private practice administration staff and has been and continues to be reviewed with input from general practice stakeholders, including committee members, doctors and administration staff, to ensure it is practical and relevant to the sector

• Time: how long does it take and how many hours per week?

This is a short online micro-credential that can be completed at your own pace. The expected time commitment will be determined by you and your employer. 

• Flexibility: can i do it around work and family? 

Yes. The microcredential is structured as an online course that learners complete with full autonomy, making it suitable for people balancing work, family or other commitments.

• Delivery: how is this learning delivered? 

The micro-credential is delivered online. The learning platform supports interactive content, scenario-based learning, assessments, mobile responsiveness and professional-quality online learning modules to keep you engaged throughout your learning

• Practicality: will you practice real skills or just read content 

The course is designed to be practical rather than just reading-based. It includes scenarios, reflection questions and planned interactive activities, such as deciding what administration staff should and should not do in real workplace situations, documenting follow-up attempts, and responding safely when a patient asks for medical advice.

• Support: can you ask questions or get feedback? 

• Cost: what is included in the fee?