Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
You’ll develop the foundational skills required to work directly with patients under the supervision of professional health staff. This is essential work in a highly functioning health system. Your understanding of how to assist and support these staff is critical to the care of patients and clients.
You’ll learn to ensure quality of care, safety, infection control, empathy and respect. You’ll also develop practical skills in patient care and movement, transport, bed making, clinical cleaning and food service.
Graduates of this course go on to work as health services assistants, orderlies, personal care assistants, patient service assistants and more.
This Free TAFE course is in high demand. Apply early for a better chance of securing your place in it. Otherwise, you may have to wait for the next intake.
This course is 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. To discuss your study options, please get in touch with us today.
Duration
6 months
Intakes
Wantirna (July, October) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Full-time

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


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 if you are under 20 years old, or enrolling in a course at a higher level than you have completed before.
If you don't tick either of these boxes, you could still have a chance! There are other factors, too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to work in our health care system in integral support roles - ensuring quality of care, safety, infection control, empathy and respect is maintained at the highest level. You will learn many practical skills to assist in future employment such as assisting with patient care and movement, patient transport, bed making, clinical cleaning and food service.
Course structure
Units of study
Elective Units:
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and graduate skills.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives

Graduate skills
You’ll develop the foundational skills required to work directly with patients under the supervision of professional health staff. This is essential work in a highly functioning health system. Your understanding of how to assist and support these staff is critical to the care of patients and clients.
You’ll learn to ensure quality of care, safety, infection control, empathy and respect. You’ll also develop practical skills in patient care and movement, transport, bed making, clinical cleaning and food service.
Graduates of this course go on to work as health services assistants, orderlies, personal care assistants, patient service assistants and more.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Certificate III in Health Services AssistanceEstimated course fees for 2023* |
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---|---|---|---|---|
Course fee options | Full course fee | Skills First Government-subsidised place | Concession rate | Is this a Free TAFE course? |
Total Cost (GST Free) | $6,140 | $1,300 | $260 | Yes |
You could have your tuition fees covered thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession if you meet the eligibility criteria.
The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.
Find out if you're eligible for a fee concession here.
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.
Indicative nominal course hours: 453.
Entry requirements
- All applicants must be a minimum of 18 years old at the commencement of the course
- 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.
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella
- Diphtheria/Tetanus/ Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Tuberculosis
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- COVID-19