Certificate IV in Allied Health and Assistance
Overview
Want to help rehabilitate clients? 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.
Change of Preference Expo
Looking for your #1 VTAC preference? Explore your options and get personalised advice from course experts, based on your Year 12 results. Friday 13 December, Hawthorn campus.
Your industry experience
Bolster your CV with real industry experience. This course has 120 hours of mandatory practical placement.
Skills you’ll learn
- Communicate effectively
- Deliver holistic care
- Build therapeutic relationships
- Work with diverse people
Your career opportunities
- Physiotherapist assistant
- Occupational therapy assistant
- Allied health assistant
Admissions
Applicants require a minimum of completion of Year 12 or equivalent.
Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.
Other requirements
Please note that the duties of an Allied Health Assistant are quite physically demanding and if there are any concerns, should be considered and/or discussed before applying.
Students must be able to perform the physical activities required to be deemed competent in placement, some examples are:
- Pushing and pulling of equipment and/or patients
- Lifting and carrying of equipment and/or patients
- Day to day activities including prolonged standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, and bending over
- Manual handing of equipment and/or patients
- Hydrotherapy
- Exercise demonstration and facilitation with patients
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
- All students must hold a National Police Check, with no disclosable offences, for the duration of the program, including placement*
* If a candidate believes there would be a disclosable issue on their National 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
- Students may be required to obtain an NDIS worker screening check prior to placement
- It is the student’s responsibility to check the current COVID-19 mask mandate and whether it will affect their ability to undertake placement.
- All applicants will need to demonstrate literacy and numeracy competencies
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:
- IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
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.
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Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
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Certificate III in Pathology Assistance
Course structure
To be awarded this Qualification, students will complete 18 units (ten core and eight electives) and successfully complete a clinical 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.
The placement requirments are consecutive three week placement block Monday through to Friday.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
Core unit |
BSBMED301 |
|
Respond effectively to behaviours of concern
Core unit |
CHCCCS020 |
|
Support relationships with carer and family
Core unit |
CHCCCS036 |
|
Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
Core unit |
CHCCCS038 |
|
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
Core unit |
HLTINF006 |
|
Follow safe work practices for direct client care
Core unit |
HLTWHS002 |
|
Assist with an allied health program
Core unit |
HLTAHA027 |
|
Recognise impact of health conditions
Core unit |
HLTAHA049 |
|
Facilitate the interests and rights of clients
Core unit |
CHCADV001 |
|
Engage with clinical supervision and delegation
Core unit |
HLTAHA047 |
| Elective units | |
|
Communicate and work in health or community services
Elective unit |
CHCCOM005 |
|
Provide First Aid
Elective unit |
HLTAID011 |
|
Work with people with mental health issues
Elective unit |
CHCMHS001 |
|
Assist with movement
Elective unit |
CHCCCS002 |
|
Deliver and monitor physical or manual therapy programs
Elective unit |
HLTAHA028 |
|
Support maintenance of functional status
Elective unit |
HLTAHA032 |
|
Assist in rehabilitation programs
Elective unit |
HLTAHA031 |
|
Conduct group sessions for individual outcomes
Elective unit |
HLTAHA033 |
2025 fees
Full fee* ($AUD)
$22,540
Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)
$6,180
2025 fees
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.
Eligibility for VET student loans (VSL)
If you apply for a VET Student Loan, Swinburne must first verify your identity. If you are eligible, we will provide your enrolment information to the government so you can complete the application within their eCAF system.
The VET Student Loan amount for this course is capped. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.
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.
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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!
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
From 1 January 2024, all Diploma level and above courses will contribute to the Student Services and Amenities fee. Below is the capped amount for 2025 as a guide ahead of fees for 2024 being announced.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
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.
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.