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
My preference is success

Want to maximise your VTAC offers? Discover how to get more for your ATAR with Change of Preference tips and tools.

Find out more

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

VET in School students apply via their school.

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

One of the following:

  • successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
  • completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).

You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.

If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements. 

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

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne
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 is granted in recognition of previous study and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about credit

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

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 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
+
80
hours
Placement
=
Certificate
Indicative nominal course 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, 40.0 credit points
CHCDIV001
Recognise healthy body systems
Core unit, 70.0 credit points
HLTAAP001
Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
Core unit, 60.0 credit points
BSBMED301
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
Core unit, 35.0 credit points
HLTINF006
Participate in workplace health and safety
Core unit, 20.0 credit points
HLTWHS001
Organise personal work priorities and development
Core unit, 30.0 credit points
BSBWOR301
Elective units
Provide First Aid
Elective unit, 18.0 credit points
HLTAID011
Assist with movement
Elective unit, 25.0 credit points
CHCCCS002
Respond effectively to behaviours of concern
Elective unit, 20.0 credit points
CHCCCS020
Transport individuals
Elective unit, 20.0 credit points
CHCCCS026
Prepare and maintain beds
Elective unit, 15.0 credit points
CHCCCS012
Perform general cleaning tasks in a clinical setting
Elective unit
HLTHSS003
Provide individualised support
Elective unit, 30.0 credit points
CHCCCS015
Follow basic food safety practices
Elective unit, 30.0 credit points
HLTFSE001

2024 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$6,140

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$1,360

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 2023 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. 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 2023

    You could have your tuition fees covered in 2023 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 2023 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
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
24-January-2024
Start dates
29-January-2024
February intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
24-January-2024
Start dates
29-January-2024
July intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
10-July-2024
Start dates
15-July-2024
Start dates
Location
Start dates
February intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
29-January-2024
February intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
29-January-2024
July intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
15-July-2024
Upcoming events
Webinar | What Now? Your Change of Preference Gameplan
11-December-2023
Change of Preference Expo
12-December-2023