Overview

Want to help rehabilitate clients by working alongside physios and occupational therapists? The Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance teaches you the core skills to work alongside and independently under the guidance of allied health professionals. Gain knowledge and practical skills enabling you to develop and manage therapeutic programs to deliver quality care in a hospital or community rehabilitation setting.

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

  • Nationally recognised training
    Nationally recognised training
Course currently in transition

The course code, title, units, and content may change. Further information will become available on our website, upon enrolment or during your studies.

Interested in this course?

Find out more about this course and other TAFE courses at one of our on-campus Try TAFE events. Get all the information you need to kickstart your career.

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Skills you’ll learn

  • Communicate effectively
  • Build therapeutic relationships
  • Deliver holistic care

Your career opportunities

  • Physiotherapist assistant
  • Allied health assistant
  • Occupational therapy 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.

Location options

All In A Day’s Study

VR, Mixed Reality and Simulated Scenarios

Ever imagined yourself holding up an augmented reality heart in class? Or using virtual reality to learn about the human skeleton? What about practising your skills on actors mimicking clients with mental health issues? It’s all in a day’s study when you choose a diploma or certificate in nursing, health or community services at Swinburne!

Admissions

Please note that the duties of an Allied Health Assistant are quite physically demanding and should be considered and/or discussed before applying if there are any concerns.

Applicants require a minimum of completion of Year 12 or equivalent.

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

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

Other requirements

The following additional criteria for entry apply for this course:

  • All applicants must be a minimum of 18 years old at the commencement of the placement
  • A Police Check, with no disclosable offences, is to be obtained at least 10 weeks prior to clinical placement commencement. *If a candidate believes there would be a disclosable issue on their Police Check, a confidential conversation will be required prior to enrolment to determine suitability for work within the healthcare environment.
  • All students must hold a current Victorian Working with Children Check (Volunteer or Employee) for the duration of the program.
  • All applicants will need to demonstrate literacy and numeracy competencies
  • It is the student’s responsibility to check the current COVID-19 mask mandate and whether it will affect their ability to undertake placement.

Immunisations are a requirement to work within health, and up-to-date evidence of immunisations are required to complete assessment requirements within the workplace. If you are not willing to provide up-to-date evidence, you will not be eligible to complete this program.

Immunisation requirements include the following:

  • Measles/Mumps/Rubella
  • Diphtheria/Tetanus/ Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
  • Tuberculosis
  • Varicella (Chickenpox)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Influenza
  • COVID-19
     

For more information about the minimum immunisation requirements please download the:

Additional immunisations may be required in response to any changes in Government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your clinical placement. Further information will be provided at the commencement of the course.

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.

Book your Pearson Test of English

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. 

Learn more about credit

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.

Learn more about RPL

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 will complete 16 units (seven core and nine electives) and successfully complete a practical placement of 120 hours.

Please note: Whilst all attempts are made to make this three-week full-time placement available immediately at the end of the course work completion, you will be advised during the course what health provider and date has been allocated to you. While significant effort is made to match students geographically to placements, students do need to be prepared to travel to placements in the event that this is required.

7
Core units
+
9
Elective units
+
120
hours
Placement
=
Certificate IV
Indicative nominal course hours: 1050

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Communicate and work in health or community services
Core unit, 30.0 credit points
CHCCOM005
Work with diverse people
Core unit, 40.0 credit points
CHCDIV001
Manage legal and ethical compliance
Core unit, 80.0 credit points
CHCLEG003
Recognise healthy body systems
Core unit, 70.0 credit points
HLTAAP001
Confirm physical health status
Core unit, 90.0 credit points
HLTAAP002
Follow safe work practices for direct client care
Core unit, 25.0 credit points
HLTWHS002
Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
Core unit, 60.0 credit points
BSBMED301
Elective units
Deliver and monitor a client-specific physiotherapy program
Elective unit, 85.0 credit points
HLTAHA003
Support the delivery and monitoring of physiotherapy programs for mobility
Elective unit, 70.0 credit points
HLTAHA005
Assist with the development and maintenance of client functional status
Elective unit, 90.0 credit points
HLTAHA010
Support the fitting of assistive equipment
Elective unit, 70.0 credit points
HLTAHA016
Assist with an allied health program
Elective unit, 65.0 credit points
HLTAHA001
Assist in the rehabilitation of clients
Elective unit, 90.0 credit points
HLTAHA009
Support group activities
Elective unit, 30.0 credit points
CHCGRP001
Work with people with mental health issues
Elective unit, 80.0 credit points
CHCMHS001
Provide First Aid
Elective unit, 18.0 credit points
HLTAID011

2024 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$18,740

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$5,140

Concession rate* ($AUD)

$993

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

2024 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 2024 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 only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

Skills first government-subsidised place

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.

Learn more about Skills first government subsidies

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.

Find out more about fees

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.
Learn more about paying your fees

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.

Learn more about concession rates
  • 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 2024 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.

Learn more about scholarships

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.

Learn more about scholarships

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
HLT43015
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.

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.

Wantirna VTAC code
3401011214
Apply through VTAC
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Swinburne Innovation Challenge
26-June-2024