Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services
Course Code HLT47015

Sterilisation Technicians clean, sterilise and package surgical instruments and other hospital equipment, soft goods and linen, in a sterilisation service facility. The tasks of a Sterilisation Technician includes:
- Identifying equipment to be sterilised
- Cleaning and sterilising surgical instructions and other hospital equipment
- Operating a variety of sterilisation machines
- Complying with infection control policies and procedures
- Preparing and packing medical items
The number of people working as Sterilisation Technicians (in their main job) grew very strongly over 5 years from 4,100 in 2016 to over 6,000 in 2020.
It is anticipated that the Sterilisation Technicians workforce will continue to see a very strongly growth, particular with the changing environment and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delivery Method
The Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services is delivered through a blended delivery method.
Students are provided with learner resources for each unit of competency. Theory assessment is submitted through our online assessment management system. Students will also complete any practical skills through work placement.
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 IV in Sterilisation Services.
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 enrolment in this qualification.
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 unpaid 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 placement can commence.
- National Criminal History Clearance
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
- Observation of practical skills
Recognition of Prior Learning
RPL considers previous formal study and work experience 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 credit transfer.
Entry Requirements
To enrol in the Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services 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.
Literacy, Language, 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 South Australia residents
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/
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 our trainers via phone and e-mail for assistance. Our trainers 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 our trainers, 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.
The Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services has been packaged to include:
15 units are required to be awarded the qualification including:
- 11 core units
- 4 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 right hand side of this page.
Choose your location




Funding for Queensland
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 |
---|---|---|
CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support | $150.00 | $300.00 |
HLT30113 Certificate III in A&TSI Primary Health Care | $680.00 | $850.00 |
HLT33015 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance | $220.00 | $660.00 |
CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services | $360.00 | $720.00 |
HLT37315 Certificate III in Health Administration | $260.00 | $780.00 |
HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services 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 |
---|---|---|
CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support | $540.00 | $1,050.00 |
CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health | $150.00 | $825.00 |
CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support | $200.00 | $600.00 |
CHC40413 Certificate IV in Youth Work | $340.00 | $950.00 |
CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services | $750.00 | $1,200.00 |
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 Services | $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 |
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.
Traineeships
Health Industry Training is working in partnership with Australian Apprenticeship Centers to increase the awareness of FUNDED training available to new and existing staff residing in Queensland, through the Australian Apprenticeships Scheme.
User Choice
The User Choice Program addresses skills needs by making government funding available to Health Industry Training to deliver training for particular qualifications to eligible trainees. Additional incentives for employers may also be available. Health Industry Training can offer the following qualifications under the User Choice Program:
- CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support
- HLT33015 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (new employees)
- HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (new employees)
- HLT30113 Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
- CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support
- CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services
- HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection
Traineeship
Under the Traineeship Program, employers may be eligible for funding to provide training to new or existing workers. The following qualifications can be delivered by Health Industry Training under the Traineeship Program:
- HLT33015 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
- HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- HLT30113 Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
- Certificate III in Health Support Services
- CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services
- HLT37315 Certificate III in Health Administration
- HLT47315 Certificate IV in Health Administration
- CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health
- HLT47715 Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting
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.
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.
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 | Traineeship Fees |
CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support | $ 300 | $ 300 |
CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services | $ 300 | $ 300 |
HLT37315 Certificate III in Health Administration | $ 500 | $ 500 |
HLT33015 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance | $ 300 | $ 300 |
HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance | $ 300 | $ 300 |
HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection | N/A | $ 300 |
HLT30113 Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | N/A | $ 500 |
HLT37121 Certificate III in Hospital/Health Services Pharmacy Support | N/A | N/A |
CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support | $ 300 | $ 300 |
CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health | $ 500 | $ 300 |
CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support | $ 300 | $ 300 |
CHC40413 Certificate IV in Youth Work | $ 300 | $ 300 |
CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services | $ 300 | N/A |
HLT47121 Certificate IV in Hospital/Health Services Pharmacy Support | N/A | N/A |
HLT47315 Certificate IV in Health Administration | $ 500 | $ 500 |
HLT43015 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance | $ 300 | $ 300 |
BSB40520 Certificate IV in Leadership and Management | $ 800 | $ 800 |
BSB40920 Certificate IV in Project Management Practice | $ 1,000 | $ 1,000 |
HLT47015 Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services | N/A | $ 300 |
HLT47515 Certificate IV in Operating Theatre Technical Support | $ 300 | N/A |
BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management | $ 1,500 | $ 1,500 |
BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management | $ 2,000 | $ 2,000 |
HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management | $ 1,500 | $ 1,000 |
CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services | $ 300 | $ 300 |
CHC52215 Diploma of Community Development | $ 300 | N/A |
User Choice funding now available in Tasmania. Please call our office on 07 3082 3960

Courses Duration
Maximum 24 months

Course Fees
South Australia
$300
Full Fee Paying
$5000

Delivery Method
Flexible
Individual needs approach to learning
Practical Placement
Prospective
Career Roles
Technicians
Sterilisation Technicians
Senior Technicians in Sterilisation
Team Leaders
Enrolment Method
Open enrolment