Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
Overview
Learn to safely manage chemicals, follow procedures, and operate basic equipment with our Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques. You’ll gain scientific and technical knowledge, along with the skills to perform duties in widespread lab environments. Emerge ready to pursue entry-level employment as a laboratory technician.
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
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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.
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Skills you’ll learn
- Intermediate lab techniques
- Prepare samples for testing
- Prepare cell cultures
- Calibrate instruments
- WHS requirements
- Use of lab tools and instruments
- Laboratory information management systems (LIMS)
Your career opportunities
- Laboratory assistant
- Instrument operator
- Technical assistant
- Laboratory technician
- Pathology lab assistant
- Pharmaceutical lab assistant
- Commercial Lab 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.
Course prerequisites
Successful completion of Australian Year 12 or overseas equivalent. Minimum GPA score required, check your specific requirements via the link below.
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.
Admissions
Minimum of completion of Year 11, or, completion of Certificate III in Laboratory Skills.
Applicants will need to demonstrate literacy and numeracy competencies.
To apply for workplace training (Traineeship), applicants must be working in a relevant workplace and have employer and other necessary approvals to enrol.
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 5.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 5.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 4 Upper Intermediate level) with overall 65%, all skills 60%
- TOEFL iBT (internet-based) minimum score of 65 with no band less than 15
- Pearson (PTE) minimum score of 42 (no communicative skills less than 36)
- 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 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.
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.
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 Laboratory Skills
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Diploma of Laboratory Technology
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Certificate IV in Science
Course structure
To be awarded a Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques, competency must be achieved in a total of 15 units consisting of five core and ten elective units. Workplace electives (for students undertaking a Traineeship) will be chosen based on employee workplace role/s and experience
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Maintain laboratory or field workplace safety
Core unit |
MSL944002 |
|
Maintain and calibrate instruments and equipment
Core unit |
MSL934004 |
|
Receive and prepare samples for testing
Core unit |
MSL953003 |
|
Process and interpret data
Core unit |
MSL924003 |
|
Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes
Core unit |
MSL934006 |
| Elective units | |
|
Perform aseptic techniques
Elective unit |
MSL973016 |
|
Perform microscopic examination
Elective unit |
MSL973019 |
|
Prepare, standardise and use solutions
Elective unit |
MSL974017 |
|
Use laboratory application software
Elective unit |
MSL924004 |
|
Perform food tests
Elective unit |
MSL974020 |
|
Prepare practical science classes and demonstrations
Elective unit |
MSL974023 |
|
Perform histological procedures
Elective unit |
MSL973020 |
|
Perform chemical tests and procedures
Elective unit |
MSL974019 |
|
Perform biological procedures
Elective unit |
MSL974021 |
|
Prepare tissue and cell cultures
Elective unit |
MSL974025 |
2023 fees
Full fee* ($AUD)
$15,930
Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)
$5,150
Concession rate* ($AUD)
$1,030
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$18,170
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.