Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
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.
Duration
14 weeks (plus Semester/Term Breaks)
Intakes
Wantirna (February, April, 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 low-fee or free in 2021
You could have some or all your tuition fees covered in 2021 thanks to government initiatives JobTrainer and Free TAFE for Priority Courses.
JobTrainer is available if you are 17-24 years or a job seeker of any age, impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19).
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
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Certificate III in Health Services AssistanceEstimated course fees for 2021* |
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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) | $5,670 | $1,140 | $228 | 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 course is delivered with state 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. Concession rates usually provide eligible students with a discount on Swinburne’s standard tuition fees for a range of vocational education (TAFE) qualifications.
Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available to Aboriginals or Torres Strait Islanders or Youth Concession students enrolled prior to 1 July 2012 and continuing the same course in 2013.
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.
If you are not granted a government-subsidised place, you will be eligible for the full course fee. Check your eligibility now.
Indicative nominal course hours: 453.
Entry requirements
Additional requirements
Please note that the duties of a Health Services Assistant can be quite physically demanding and should be considered and/or discussed before applying if there are any concerns.