Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
Overview
Learn to safely manage chemicals, follow procedures, and operate basic equipment with our Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques. You’ll gain scientific and technical knowledge, along with the skills to perform duties in widespread lab environments. Emerge ready to pursue entry-level employment as a laboratory technician.
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
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Skills you’ll learn
- Intermediate lab techniques
- Prepare samples for testing
- Prepare cell cultures
- Calibrate instruments
- WHS requirements
- Use of lab tools and instruments
- Laboratory information management systems (LIMS)
Your career opportunities
- Laboratory assistant
- Instrument operator
- Technical assistant
- Laboratory technician
- Pathology lab assistant
- Pharmaceutical lab assistant
- Commercial Lab assistant
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Course prerequisites
Successful completion of Australian Year 12 or overseas equivalent. Minimum GPA score required, check your specific requirements via the link below.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
Admissions
Minimum of completion of Year 11, or, completion of Certificate III in Laboratory Skills.
Applicants will need to demonstrate literacy and numeracy competencies.
To apply for workplace training (Traineeship), applicants must be working in a relevant workplace and have employer and other necessary approvals to enrol.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 5.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 5.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 4 Upper Intermediate level) with overall 65%, all skills 60%
- TOEFL iBT (internet-based) minimum score of 65 with no band less than 15
- Pearson (PTE) minimum score of 42 (no communicative skills less than 36)
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit transfer is the recognition of academic credits gained through formal study (i.e. units of competency) completed either at another institute or in another qualification. The total amount of credit will vary from individual to individual, based on the unit/s that have been successfully completed.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of transferring the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime (irrespective of how they were obtained) against the requirements of the unit.
RPL is an assessment process that requires you to provide evidence that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the unit/s. The amount and types of evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit requirements.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
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Certificate IV in Science
Course structure
To be awarded a Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques, competency must be achieved in a total of 16 units consisting of 4 core and 12 elective units.
Workplace electives (for students undertaking a Traineeship) will be chosen based on employee workplace role/s and experience.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Process and interpret data
Core unit |
MSL924005 |
|
Maintain instruments and equipment
Core unit |
MSL934008 |
|
Maintain laboratory or field workplace safety
Core unit |
MSL944002 |
|
Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes
Core unit |
MSL934009 |
| Elective units | |
|
Prepare, standardise and use solutions
Elective unit |
MSL974031 |
|
Use laboratory application software
Elective unit |
MSL924006 |
|
Perform techniques that prevent cross-contamination
Elective unit |
MSL973027 |
|
Perform microscopic examination
Elective unit |
MSL973028 |
|
Perform food tests
Elective unit |
MSL974033 |
|
Receive and prepare samples for testing
Elective unit |
MSL953005 |
|
Perform chemical tests and procedures
Elective unit |
MSL974032 |
|
Assist in the maintenance of reference materials
Elective unit |
MSL935006 |
|
Prepare practical science classes and demonstrations
Elective unit |
MSL914002 |
|
Perform histological procedures
Elective unit |
MSL973029 |
|
Perform biological procedures
Elective unit |
MSL974034 |
|
Prepare tissue or cell cultures
Elective unit |
MSL974035 |
2025 fees
Full fee* ($AUD)
$16,570
Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)
$5,360
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$19,990.00
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$19,990.00
Fees are estimates only
Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Skills first government-subsidised place
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.
How do I pay my fees?
You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Concessions rates for vocational students
If you’re enrolling in a Certificate IV-level program or below, are eligible for a government-subsidised training place and hold a valid concession card, you may be eligible for a concession of 80 per cent off the published fee of your unit(s) tuition – which means you’ll only be charged 20 per cent of the published fee.
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.
Apply through VTAC
International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.