Certificate III in Health Services Assistance

Please note that the fees displayed are for 2025 and may change for 2026 commencements

Overview

The Certificate III in Health Services Assistance is a great introduction to the healthcare and community services sector. You will learn the skills required for work in a hospital setting or a healthcare facility, and become qualified to work as a compassionate healthcare assistant. Whether you are a school leaver, or returning to study, the Certificate III in Health Services Assistance will provide you with a pathway and possible credits into other courses in health and community services. Note: Although this training is at an introductory level in providing direct patient assistance, this provides a great building block for further study to build your career in this rewarding sector.

Delivery Methods

• Blended – Teaching and assessment will be conducted on-campus and online.
• Traineeship – Teaching and assessment will be required to be conducted as part of a traineeship

Locations

• McKoy Street, Wodonga Vic (Main campus)

When You Can Enrol

• On Campus/Blended: Apply via the ‘Apply now’ button. Note: If the course is not yet available for online application, register your details via the ‘Enquire Now’ form to be notified when future dates are scheduled.
• Traineeship: You will enrol with Wodonga TAFE as part of your traineeship with your employer. The Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) is your first point of contact for queries about a traineeship or apprenticeship, www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/about-aasn.

Duration

6 months

Schedule

• On-campus/Blended: Start February 2026, Wednesday & Thursday (2 days), 9.15am-3pm on campus
• Traineeship: Individual training plans will be developed in consultation with your employer, as part of your traineeship.

Requirements

• Physical requirements: It is a requirement for the course that students are fit for the role. This includes during participation of practical class sessions and manual workplace requirements. The physical demands can include standing for long periods of time, bending, supporting patients while moving, manual handling of equipment, lifting up to approx. 10kg, kneeling on the floor and pushing a wheelchair.
• Students should allow for approx. 10 hours per week outside of formal classes for directed study and assessment tasks.
• COVID-19 vaccination evidence may be asked for at health-related employment venues or at placement venues if you choose to continue with further studies in a health-related field. If you do not have evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, you may have limited employment opportunities in the health sector. Please speak with your Course Coordinator to discuss your options if necessary.

Assessment

The assessments will include the validation of underpinning knowledge, skills and attributes required to meet the course outcomes. A range of assessment strategies to meet different learner needs will be selected. Assessment strategies may include:

• Assignments
• Research projects
• Observations
• Self/peer assessment
• Written questions
• Simulation
• Oral presentations
• Case study
• Demonstrations
• Group discussion
• Interviews
• Log Book
• Work related projects.

Skills developed

- Communicate and work in health or community services
- Work with diverse people
- Recognise healthy body systems
- Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
- Participate in work health and safety
- Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
- Organise personal work priorities and development
- Assist with movement
- Follow basic food safety practices
- Engage with health professionals and the health system
- Provide first aid
- Work with people with mental health issues
- Manage personal computer.

Compulsory Units

CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
HLTAAP001 Recognise healthy body systems
HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety
BSBMED301 Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
BSBWOR301 Organise personal work priorities and development
CHCCCS010 Maintain a high standard of service
CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
CHCPRP005 Engage with health professionals and the health system
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
HLTFSE001 Follow basic food safety practices
CHCCCS002 Assist with movement
CHCCCS038 Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
BSBTEC201 Use business software applications

Selectable Units

Additional selectable units may apply.

Certification

By successfully completing this course you will receive a nationally recognised AQF Qualification.

Fees

From 1 January 2019, Free TAFE for Priority Courses is a Victorian Government program that will pay your tuition fees to study in this selected course at Wodonga TAFE, if you’re eligible, subject to minimum numbers.

Government Funded $1,906.00 (Tuition $1,892.00, Materials $14.00)
Concession $392.40 (Tuition $378.40, Materials $14.00)
Fee For Service $3,110.00 (Tuition $3,096.00, Materials $14.00)

Fees Additional Information

Please note that the fees displayed are for 2025 and may change for 2026 commencements.

Materials Fees

• Work books
  

Careers

This qualification may lead to a range of job opportunities in the health and community services sector, including the following:

• orderly
• wards person or ward assistant
• assistant in a community care setting
• domestic care worker
• environmental services attendant
• food services assistant.

Pathways

On successful completion of this course you may be interested in completing further study in the following areas. This may include other health and community services-related courses such as:

• Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing or Disability specialisation)
• Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
• Certificate IV in Community Services
• Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
• Certificate IV in Massage Therapy Study pathways with Wodonga TAFE

How to apply

Register your details via the ‘Enquire Now’ form to be notified when future dates are scheduled, or to chat to our friendly Customer Experience team.

Once you submit an application for this course you will receive a separate email from LLN Robot to complete both a Digital Assessment and a Learning, Reading, Writing, Oral and Numeracy Assessment (LLN Assessment) online.

Please check your junk mail if this does not come to your inbox. All students are asked to complete the Digital and LLN assessments to determine any support requirements and to ensure the course and mode of delivery is suitable for the student.

Please allow one hour to complete the Digital and LLN assessments. You will need a computer with speakers or headphones as there is an audio section in the LLN assessment.

Your LLN and Digital assessments will need to be completed one week after receiving it to progress your application to the next stage, or your application may be withdrawn due to inactivity.

If you are unable to access the LLN assessment or the Digital assessment links please contact our Customer Experience team as soon possible.

Note: Completion of the LLN and Digital assessments does not guarantee a place in the course at Wodonga TAFE. Numbers are limited and selected applicants will be contacted to attend an interview. If an applicant is not accepted into their preferred course they will be contacted and provided information on alternate pathways and/or courses.

For traineeship information and enrolments, the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) is your first point of contact for queries about a traineeship or apprenticeship, www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/about-aasn.

Please note: We reserve the right to close course intakes early. Many courses have limited places and high demand. Early applications are recommended. We reserve the right to cancel intakes and courses if there are insufficient student numbers.