Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Our Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques will provide you with the scientific and technical knowledge and skills needed to successfully perform key duties within a laboratory or laboratory-related workplace.
You’ll learn how to use basic equipment, safely handle chemicals and follow procedures.
Upon completion of this course, you could go on to further study in laboratory techniques or pursue entry-level employment as a laboratory technician.Thinking about studying at Swinburne? Classes are still on!
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Duration
On-campus: 12 months full-time or equivalent part-time; Workplace Training (Traineeship): minimum of 12 months to maximum of 3 years.
Intakes
Hawthorn (March, August) - View application and start dates
Study modes
- Full-time,
- Part-time (day)
VTAC course code
- 3400211464
Hawthorn (fee type determined by provider)

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
Course structure
Units of study
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, however, 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

Graduate skills
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Certificate IV in Laboratory TechniquesEstimated course fees for 2021* |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Course fee options | Full course fee | Skills First Government-subsidised place | Concession rate |
Total Cost (GST Free) | $15,040 | $4,820 | $964 |
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: 990.
Entry requirements
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.
How to apply
Find out more
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE
Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059