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  4. Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
SCHOOL STUDENTS

Certificate III in Health Services Assistance


 National Code: HLT33115
 TAFE SA Code: TP00868


Course Type: School Students

2026 start

Description

TAFE SA's courses for school students are designed for students in Year 11 to Year 12. They provide the opportunity to learn specific industry skills and gain credit towards a nationally recognised qualification, all while students undertake their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

Students will gain the skills to provide safe, high-quality care to clients, under supervision in a range of settings, including hospitals and aged care facilities. This course provides an excellent foundation for studies in allied health, aged care, disability and nursing. Further study pathways include: Certificate III in Individual Support - Ageing/Disability (CHC33021), Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (HLT43021), Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121).
Duration
SACE Credits
Example Career Profile
Print Course Page
18 month

Part Time

Up to 55-80 Stage 2 Credits
Patient Care Assistant
Patient Care Assistant
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Campus / Location
Study Mode
Study Load
Commences
Scheduled
Application
Adelaide City
On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Part Time Part Time
Semester 1 CommencementSemester 1
Day Only Day Only
How To Apply
Whyalla Secondary College
On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Part Time Part Time
Semester 1 CommencementSemester 1
Day Only Day Only
How To Apply

Icon Legend

On campus/location

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Online

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.
Blended

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.
Workplace

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Full Time

Full Time

Full Time classes
Part Time

Part Time

Part Time classes
Day Classes

Day Classes

Day time classes
Evening Classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes
International

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

You must be a school student undertaking SACE or equivalent, and meet the Flexible Industry Program eligibility criteria.

Course Delivery

  • Delivered one day per week over 56 weeks (18 months),
  • Dates, times, course units and training plans may vary for each delivery location,
  • Please note that 120 hours of work placement is required in addition to the listed course delivery.
  • The course is recommended for students to commence in Year 11,
  • Year 12 students are welcome to apply however will not complete the qualification by end of Year 12 which may impact SACE and ATAR,
  • Please see additional information about requirements for vaccinations and National Police/DHS screening prior to placement,
  • It is recommended that students do not have a full study band at school if they wish to also study this qualification at TAFE SA,
  • At times, some courses may be combined with adults and/or apprentice classes,
  • Applications to study at a Technical College may require an alternative application process.
    Please contact the relevant Technical College for full details.

Additional Information

Prior to work placements in semester 2, students will be required to pay for a National Police Check. Refer to SAPOL website for current pricing - www.police.sa.gov.au. DHS and NDIS Screening check is free for School students undertaking work placement. There is a $35 incidentals fee for a TAFE SA shirt to wear during work placement. Additional costs are required to meet vaccination requirements. Prior to placement allocation students must provide evidence of full immunisation status including, but not limited to COVID-19 and Flu Vaccinations, as per the Immunisation for Healthcare Workers in South Australia Policy Directive.

Fees

Total Fees for the 18 month course
Subsidised co-payment
$768

Subsidised training will require applicants to meet eligibility criteria.

Fees may vary for each delivery location, depending on the subjects being offered, and are subject to change.

  • Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

    Employment Outcomes

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (HLT33115)
    This course covers communication, working with diverse people, healthy body systems, infection prevention and control, workplace safety, medical terminology and organisation. To complete the qualification, you are required to complete all 7 core units and 8 elective units plus at least 80 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of the units of competency must be completed.

    Note: Students who successfully complete only one or more units of competency but not the full qualification are eligible to receive a Statement of Attainment.

    90%*
    of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.
    87%*
    of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.



    * 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

  • Course Units

    Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

    Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

    Core

    Name Nominal Hours
    Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control 35
    Communicate and work in health or community services 30
    Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately 60
    Organise personal work priorities and development 30
    Participate in workplace health and safety 20
    Recognise healthy body systems 70
    Work with diverse people 40

    Elective

    Name Nominal Hours
    Assist with movement 25
    Follow basic food safety practices 30
    Maintain a high standard of service 30
    Manage personal stressors in the work environment 25
    Prepare and maintain beds 15
    Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation 4
    Provide First Aid 18
    Transport individuals 20

Further Information

Contact us

Course enquiries and more information

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