Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
Course Code HLT33115

Health services assistance roles provide assistance to professional health staff with the care of clients.
Over the five years to November 2020, the number of job openings for nursing support and hospital support workers is expected to be high (greater than 50,000). Job openings can arise from employment growth and people leaving the occupation.
This is a very large occupation suggesting that opportunities for nursing support and hospital support workers should be available in most regions.
Delivery Method
The Certificate III in Health Services Assistance is delivered through a blended delivery method.
Students are provided with learner resources and assessment handbooks for each unit of competency. The assessment handbooks provide students with instructions on submitting assessments.
Practical Placement
Health Industry Training recognises that an important part of undertaking a qualification in health or community services is the practical component of the course. Practical placement provides students with an avenue to apply practical skills in a ‘real life’ environment where you can practice the skills and knowledge you have learnt during the course.
It is compulsory for students to undertake practical placement for the Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.
Securing Practical Placement
As a student it is important for you to discuss work placement opportunities with local organisations. Practical placement must be sourced prior to commencing the units of competency within the qualification that have a practical component.
Once you have sourced a relevant host employer, Health Industry Training will contact them on your behalf to discuss practical placement requirements.
Insurance
Health Industry Training provides insurance to all students undertaking work placement as part of their qualification.
Pre-requirements
As a student you must ensure you have completed the necessary ‘Prior to practical work placement’ activities listed below before practical work placement can commence.
- National Criminal History Clearance
- Immunisations and screening
Assessment Methods
Health Industry Training uses a range of assessment methods to ensure sufficient evidence can be gathered to demonstrate you can perform the tasks against the specified criteria. Assessment methods can include:
- Short answer questions
- Projects / Reports
- Case studies
- Scenarios
- Workplace portfolios
- Practical placement logbook
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL considers previous formal study and work experiences and then assesses this against the elements of competency to determine competency. Students seeking recognition can apply for RPL on enrolment or throughout the duration of their study.
Credit Transfer
If you have completed a unit of competency within your intended qualification with another Registered Training Organisation (RTO), you may be able to apply for a credit transfer or exemption. A copy of the original transcript must be provided when applying for a credit transfer.
Entry Requirements
To enrol in the Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, it is anticipated that you will have completed year 10 or equivalent.
In addition, students are required to provide Health Industry Training with their Unique Student Identifier number.
Minimum Age Requirements
The minimum age for this course is 16 years old. If you are under 18 years of age your enrolment form must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Requirements
Students must have an adequate level of Language, Literacy and Numeracy skills (LLN). Entry into the course requires English proficiency to Year 10 level or equivalent. Students are able to test their LLN skills by completing an LLN test by emailing info@healthindustrytraining.org.
Funding for Queensland Residents
Health Industry Training is proud to be a pre-qualified supplier for the Queensland Government, under the Certificate 3 Guarantee program. To be eligible for the Certificate 3 Guarantee funding, participants must not hold or be undertaking a Certificate III or higher qualification. Qualifications undertaken at school do not affect eligibility.
It is a requirement under the Queensland Government funding that all students contribute to the cost of training and assessment services. The fee may be paid on behalf of the student by a third party including an employer but cannot be paid or waived by Health Industry Training.
The contribution fee is different for students classed as concession and students classed as non-concession.
Concessional student status applies when:
- the student holds a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card issued under Commonwealth law, or is the partner or a dependant of a person who holds a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card and is named on the card;
- the student provides Health Industry Training with an official form under Commonwealth law confirming that the student, their partner or the person of whom the student is a dependant is entitled to concessions under a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card;
- the student is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander;
- the student is a school student and is enrolled in a VETiS program (may include young people in detention);
- the student has a disability; or
- the student is an adult prisoner.
Non-concessional student status applies if:
- none of the above relates to the student status at the time of enrolment; or
- the contribution fees are paid by a third-party including employer, or job network provider.
User Choice (Traineeship)
The Certificate III in Health Services Assistance is available through the Queensland User Choice program which funds Health Industry Training for the provision of services to eligible trainees.
Apprenticeships and traineeships combine training with working in a real job. Apprentices and trainees work towards the completion of a nationally recognised qualification while learning valuable skills at work and under the guidance of a training organisation.
Funding for South Australia Residents
Health Industry Training is proud to be a preferred supplier for the South Australia government’s WorkReady initiative. You may be eligible for government subsidised training if you live or work in South Australia and you are:
- an Australian or New Zealand citizen
- a permanent Australian resident, or
- an eligible visa holder
and you are:
- 16 years or over and not enrolled at school, or
- 16 years or over, enrolled in school and undertaking training through the Training Guarantee for SACE Students (TGSS), or
- undertaking training through a training contract as an apprentice or trainee in an identified course
Eligible participants can access:
- one foundation skills course (if assessed to need it)
- up to five bridging units at every qualification level (if assessed to need them)
- unlimited priority courses.
To check your eligibility for funding visit https://www.skills.sa.gov.au/subsidised-eligibility
Traineeships
Skilling South Australia provides subsidies towards the cost of training and assessment services for eligible Trainees and Apprentices. The program aims to assist people to get skills and qualifications to build careers and meet the workforce needs of industry through growth in Traineeships and Apprenticeships.
For more information on Skilling South Australia funding, please visit https://www.skilling.sa.gov.au/
Other States – This course is also available to be delivered as a traineeship in other states. Training is available for new and existing employees. Please contact your preferred apprenticeship centre to arrange sign up of your Traineeship.
Fee-paying
To assist students who are not eligible for funding, Health Industry Training offers financial assistance by allowing students to take advantage of our affordable payment plan options (weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments) (see enrolment form for additional information)
Throughout your course with Health Industry Training, you will be provided with a range of support services depending on your individual needs.
Trainer Support
You will be provided with a team of dedicated trainers who are there to support and guide you through. You may contact a trainer via phone and e-mail for assistance. Your main support trainer will also contact you on a regular basis to ensure you are on track to finish your qualification within your timeframe. Our professional trainers are there to ensure you have a successful learning journey.
In addition to your trainer, the administration team can provide you with support including your enrolment, changes to contact details or study plan, progress report and any issues you may encounter throughout your course.
Peer Support
Health Industry Training appreciates that distance/online learning can be an isolated experience for some students. To assist with isolation, all students have the option to be part of a Facebook peer support group. Peer support groups can be a positive experience where you can study with like-minded people, ask questions relating to your course and build friendships.
The Certificate III in Health Services Assistance has been packaged to include:
15 units are required to be awarded the qualification including:
- 7 core units
- 8 elective units
The course combines theoretical and practical work placement experience. The theoretical component of the course provides the student with the relevant knowledge required to work in the primary health care sector.
The practical placement experience provides students with the practical knowledge and skills for students to work in a practical setting on completion of the qualification.
To view the course outline, including the recommended order in which to complete your units, click on the ‘Download Course Outline’ button on the left hand side of this page.
Choose your location




Certificate 3 Guarantee
Health Industry Training is proud to be a pre- qualified supplier for the Queensland Government, under the Certificate 3 Guarantee. The Certificate 3 Guarantee supports eligible individuals to complete their first post-school certificate III level qualification and increase their skills to move into employment, re-enter the workforce or advance their career. To be eligible for the Certificate 3 Guarantee, participants must not hold or be undertaking a Certificate III or higher qualification. Qualifications undertaken at school do not affect eligibility.
Qualifications offered by Health Industry Training under the Certificate 3 Guarantee funding
QUALIFICATION | CONCESSION PRICE |
NON-CONCESSION PRICE |
---|---|---|
HLT30113 Certificate III in A&TSI Primary Health Care | $340.00 | $850.00 |
HLT33015 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance | $220.00 | $660.00 |
CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Service | $360.00 | $720.00 |
HLT37315 Certificate III in Health Administration | $260.00 | $780.00 |
HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Service Assistance | $300.00 | $900.00 |
CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support | $130.00 | $260.00 |
HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection | $280.00 | $840.00 |
Concessional participants are defined as follows:
- the participant holds a Health Care concession card or Pensioner concession card issued under Commonwealth law, or is the partner or a dependent of a person who holds a Health Care concession card or Pensioner concession card, and is named on the card; or
- the participant can provide an official form under Commonwealth law confirming that the participant, his or her partner or the person of whom the participant is a dependent, is entitled to concessions under a Health Care or Pensioner concession card; or
- the participant is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
Higher Level Skills Funding
Health Industry Training is proud to be a pre- qualified supplier for the Queensland Government, under the Higher Level Skills Funding. To be eligible for the Higher Level Skills Funding, participants must not hold or be undertaking a Certificate IV or higher qualification. Qualifications undertaken at school do not effect eligibility.
Qualifications offered by Health Industry Training under the Higher Level Skills funding:
Qualification | Concession Price | Non-Concession Price |
---|---|---|
HLT47715 Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting | $345.00 | $690.00 |
HLT43015 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance | $160.00 | $320.00 |
CHC40413 Certificate IV in Youth Work | $360.00 | $900.00 |
CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support | $90.00 | $180.00 |
CHC43115 Certificate IV in Disability | $90.00 | $180.00 |
CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Service | $450.00 | $1,050.00 |
HLT40113 Certificate IV in A&TSI Primary Health Care | $315.00 | $630.00 |
HLT47315 Certificate IV Health Administration | $280.00 | $700.00 |
HLT50113 Diploma of A&TSI Primary Health Care | $300.00 | $1,500.00 |
HLT50213 Diploma of A&TSI Primary Health Care Practice | $310.00 | $1,550.00 |
CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health | $150.00 | $825.00 |
CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services | $800.00 | $1,600.00 |
HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management | $1,500.00 | $2,250.00 |
Funding for South Australia
WorkReady Funding
Health Industry Training is proud to be a preferred supplier for the South Australia government’s WorkReady initiative. You may be eligible for government subsidised training if you live or work in South Australia and you are:
- an Australian or New Zealand citizen
- a permanent Australian resident, or
- an eligible visa holder
and you are:
- 16 years or over and not enrolled at school, or
- 16 years or over, enrolled in school and undertaking training through the Training Guarantee for SACE Students (TGSS), or
- undertaking training through a training contract as an apprentice or trainee in an identified course
Eligible people may access:
- one foundation skills course (if assessed to need it)
- up to five bridging units at every qualification level (if assessed to need them)
- unlimited priority courses.
Based on your training and employment level, you may also access the following:
Highest accredited non-school qualification at first enrolment | Accessible courses |
---|---|
No qualification or an unemployed job seeker who is registered with an Employment Service Provider |
|
Qualification up to certificate II level |
|
Completed a certificate III or above (including university qualifications) |
|
You can enrol in a maximum of two subsidised courses at a time.
FEES: The fees under the WorkReady Funding are listed in the table below.
JobTrainer Funding
The JobTrainer Funding is an initiative of the South Australian Government to provide additional support for young people to help them to successfully transition from JobTrainer into work, further training or education. Low fee training will be available for eligible students in courses.
To be eligible for JobTrainer funding you need to be:
- an Australian or New Zealand citizen
- a permanent Australian resident, or
- an eligible visa holder
In addition, you must be:
- unemployed; or
- aged between 17 and 24 years and not enrolled in secondary school or
- hold a Health Care, Pensioner or Veteran Affairs concession card
For more information on the JobTrainer Funding and to check your eligibility please visit: https://providers.skills.sa.gov.au/deliver/jobtrainer
If eligible and would like to find out more about courses available through JobTrainer Funding with Health Industry Training please contact Student Administration on 07 3082 3960.
Traineeships
Skilling South Australia provides subsidies towards the cost of training and assessment services for eligible Trainees and Apprentices. The program aims to assist people to get skills and qualifications to build careers and meet the workforce needs of industry through growth in Traineeships and Apprenticeships.
For more information on Skilling South Australia funding, please visit https://www.skilling.sa.gov.au/
Qualification |
WorkReady Fees |
JobTrainer Fees |
Traineeship Fees |
CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support | $ 300 | $ 180 | $ 300 |
CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services | $ 300 | $ 180 | $ 300 |
HLT37315 Certificate III in Health Administration | $ 500 | $ 180 | $ 500 |
HLT33015 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance | $ 300 | $ 180 | $ 300 |
HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance | $ 300 | $ 180 | $ 300 |
HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection | N/A | N/A | $ 300 |
HLT30113 Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | N/A | N/A | N/A |
HLT Certificate III in Hospital/Health Services Pharmacy Support | N/A | N/A | N/A |
HLT47115 Certificate IV in Hospital/Health Services Pharmacy Support | N/A | N/A | $ 500 |
CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support | $ 300 | $ 180 | $ 300 |
CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services | $ 300 | $ 180 | N/A |
CHC43115 Certificate IV in Disability | $ 300 | $ 180 | $ 300 |
HLT47315 Certificate IV in Health Administration | $ 700 | $ 180 | $ 700 |
HLT43015 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance | $ 300 | $ 180 | $ 300 |
HLT40113 Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | N/A | N/A | $ 500 |
CHC40413 Certificate IV in Youth Work | $ 300 | $ 180 | $ 300 |
BSB40520 Certificate IV in Leadership and Management | $ 800 | $ 180 | $ 800 |
BSB40920 Certificate IV in Project Management Practice | $ 1,000 | $ 180 | $ 1,000 |
BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management | $ 1,500 | $ 180 | $ 1,500 |
BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management | $ 2,000 | $ 180 | $ 2,000 |
HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management | $ 1,500 | $ 180 | $ 1,500 |
CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services | $ 300 | $ 180 | $ 300 |
CHC50413 Diploma of Youth Work | N/A | N/A | $ 500 |
CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling | N/A | N/A | $ 500 |
CHC52215 Diploma of Community Development | $ 300 | $ 180 | N/A |
* The fees listed above are for non-concession students. Students with a concession card will be charged a lower fee for units of competency commenced before the expiry date of the concession card.
User Choice funding now available in Tasmania. Please call our office on 07 3082 3960

Courses Duration
Maximum 18 months

Course Fees
Queensland
Certificate 3 Guarantee:
Concession - $300
Non concession - $900
South Australia
$300
Full Fee Paying
$3000

Delivery Method
Flexible
Individual needs approach to learning
Practical placement
Prospective
Career Roles
Assistant in Nursing
Orderly
Operating theatre technician
Ward assistant
Patient support assistant
Enrolment Method
Open enrolmentTalk to one of our
friendly advisors today