Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
The Certificate III in Laboratory Skills offers entry level technical training in laboratory operations across a range of industries.
Students will develop the skills and knowledge to safely handle chemicals, use basic laboratory equipment, follow procedures, and perform various other laboratory duties.
The course is often taken to develop the skills of existing workers in laboratory assistant or instrument operator roles.
Upon completion, students will have the potential to work in various entry level positions, including: laboratory assistant, instrument operator, technical assistant, chemical process operator, and more.Duration
12 months minimum to 2 years (depending on employment fraction)
Study mode
- Workplace Training
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
This course is for those seeking to change career, return to work or those who wish to gain entry level employment in laboratory related workplaces. Roles such as technical assistant, laboratory attendant and chemical process operators are possible outcomes. It is also suitable for applicants already working in such roles seeking to gain accredited workplace training.
The Certificate III in Laboratory Skills is only offered as a VET in Schools course or for workplace training.
Course structure
To be awarded a Certificate III in Laboratory Skills, competency must be achieved in a total of 13 units, consisting of six core units and seven elective units.
This course is only offered as a VET in Schools course (units pre-selected) or for workplace training (units selected as per work requirements).
Workplace electives will be chosen based on employee workplace roles, employer and trainer / assessor arrangements.
Workplace electives will be chosen based on employee workplace roles, employer and trainer / assessor arrangements.
Units of study
Core units (all core units are VET in Schools pre-selected units):
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices (MSMENV272)
Communicate with other people (MSL913003)
Plan and conduct laboratory/field work (MSL913004)
Record and present data (MSL922001)
Contribute to the achievement of quality objectives (MSL933006)
Participate in laboratory/field workplace safety (MSL943004)
Elective units
Group A - four units must be selected from the list below (VET in Schools pre-selected units are indicated with *):
Maintain the laboratory/field workplace fit for purpose (MSL933005) *
Apply critical control point requirements (MSL933007)
Perform calibration checks on equipment and assist with its maintenance (MSL933008)
Work safely with instruments that emit ionising radiation (MSL943003)
Receive and prepare samples for testing (MSL953003) *
Operate a robotic sample preparation system (MSL953004)
Perform basic tests (MSL973013) *
Prepare working solutions (MSL973014) *
Prepare culture media (MSL973015) *
Perform aseptic techniques (MSL973016) *
Assist with fieldwork (MSL973017)
Prepare trial batches for evaluation (MSL973018)
Perform microscopic examination (MSL973019) *
Perform histological procedures (MSL973020)
Conduct field-based acceptance tests for construction (MSL973021)
Conduct laboratory-based acceptance tests for construction materials (MSL973022)
Provide work skill instruction (TAEDEL301)
Group B - an additional three units may be drawn in any combination from units above or below:
Work within a laboratory/field workplace (induction) (MSL912001)
Collect routine site samples (MSL952001)
Handle and transport samples or equipment (MSL952002)
Conduct routine site measurements (MSL972001)
Perform standard calibrations (MSL904002)
Prepare practical science classes and demonstrations (MSL914002)
Process and interpret data (MSL924003)
Use laboratory application software (MSL924004)
Contribute to the ongoing development of HACCP plans (MSL934005)
Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes (MSL934006)
Maintain and control stocks (MSL934007)
Maintain laboratory/field workplace safety (MSL944002)
Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan (MSL954004)
Prepare mineral samples for analysis (MSL954005)
Prepare, standardise and use solutions (MSL974017)
Conduct geotechnical site investigations (MSL974018)
Perform chemical tests and procedures (MSL974019)
Perform food tests (MSL974020)
Perform biological procedures (MSL974021)
Undertake environmental field-based monitoring (MSL974022)
Capture and manage scientific images (MSL974023)
Undertake field-based, remote-sensing monitoring (MSL974024)
Perform mechanical tests (MSL974010)
Prepare tissue and cell cultures (MSL974025)
Perform tests to determine the properties of construction materials (MSL974026)
Monitor performance of structures (MSL974027)
Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices (MSMENV472)
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and graduate skills.
Career opportunities
Possible employment outcomes include laboratory assistants, instrument operators and similar positions. Laboratory assistants perform straightforward sampling and testing. They follow set procedures and recipes and apply well developed technical skills and basic scientific knowledge. Work will usually be inside a laboratory, but laboratory assistants may also perform technical tasks in the field or within production plants, as well as a range of laboratory maintenance and office tasks. The majority of their work involves a predictable flow of parallel or similar tasks within one scientific discipline.
Aims and objectives
Students will develop the skills and the underpinning knowledge to safely handle chemicals, use basic laboratory equipment, follow procedures and perform other duties within laboratory industry sectors such as:
- construction materials testing
- environmental monitoring
- food testing
- pathology testing
- mineral assay
- wine testing
Graduate skills
On completion of this course, students will have the skills and knowledge to be able to gain entry level employment in laboratory related workplaces in roles such as technical assistant, laboratory attendant and chemical process operators. It is also suitable for applicants already working in such roles seeking to gain accredited workplace training.
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Certificate III in Laboratory SkillsEstimated course fees for 2023* |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Course fee options | Full course fee | Skills First Government-subsidised place | Concession rate |
| Total Cost (GST Free) | $8,350 | $2,280 | $456 |
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.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.
Skills First Government-subsidised place
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
Concession rates for vocational students
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.
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.
Full course fee
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.
Indicative nominal course hours: 500.
Find out more about fees.
Entry requirements
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.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply for apprenticeships and traineeships.
Find out more about how to apply for VET in Schools.
Find out more
Submit an online enquiry
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE
Email: study@swinburne.edu.au
Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059