Overview

A Certificate III in Health Services Assistance will provide you with the skills and knowledge to work in our health care system in integral support roles. Ensure quality care, safety and infection control is maintained at the highest level. Learn practical skills to assist in future employment such as helping with patient care and movement, patient transport, bed making, clinical cleaning and more.

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

  • Nationally recognised training
    Nationally recognised training
  • TAFE Victoria
    TAFE Victoria
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Skills you’ll learn

  • Quality of care
  • Quality of safety
  • Practical skills in patient care
  • Clinical cleaning

Your career opportunities

  • Health services assistant
  • Food services assistant
  • Personal care assistant
  • Patient services assistant
  • Ward assistant

Location options

Admissions

To apply for workplace training (traineeship), applicants must be working in a relevant workplace and have employer approval to enrol.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

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.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

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.

Course structure

To be awarded this qualification, students need to complete 15 units, including 7 core and 8 electives. These have been selected to incorporate a number of key support skills of a Health Services Assistant such as transporting patients, individual support and food service.

7
Core units
+
8
Elective units
=
Certificate
Course hours are estimated and may change based on study mode, unit choice, credits, or enrolment adjustments, total indicative nominal hours: 625

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Communicate and work in health or community services
Core unit
CHCOM005
Work with diverse people
Core unit
CHCDIV001
Recognise healthy body systems
Core unit
HLTAAP001
Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
Core unit
BSBMED301
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
Core unit
HLTINF006
Participate in workplace health and safety
Core unit
HLTWHS001
Organise personal work priorities and development
Core unit
BSBWOR301
Elective units
Provide First Aid
Elective unit
HLTAID011
Assist with movement
Elective unit
CHCCCS002
Respond effectively to behaviours of concern
Elective unit
CHCCCS020
Transport individuals
Elective unit
CHCCCS026
Prepare and maintain beds
Elective unit
CHCCCS012
Perform general cleaning tasks in a clinical setting
Elective unit
HLTHSS003
Provide individualised support
Elective unit
CHCCCS015
Follow basic food safety practices
Elective unit
HLTFSE001

2025 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$6,390

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$1,420

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

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.

  • Portrait   Female Nurse  Scrubs  Hospital Work  Smiling  Happy  Clipboard

    Study this course for free in 2024

    You could have your tuition fees covered in 2024 thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative. 

    Free TAFE for Priority Courses is available to any Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen.

    There are other factors, too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply!

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.

Representatives and agents
HLT33115
Search for agents

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.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
February intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
29-January-2025
Start dates
03-February-2025
April intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
16-April-2025
Start dates
21-April-2025
July intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
16-July-2025
Start dates
21-July-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
February intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
03-February-2025
April intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
21-April-2025
July intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
21-July-2025
Upcoming events
Course and Career One-on-ones
25-November-2024
Change of Preference Expo 2024
13-December-2024