HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance

Health Services FreeTAFE

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Next intake

January 2026

Location

Werribee Princes Campus
East Geelong Campus

Duration

Full-time: 6 Months

Traineeship

Full-time: 1 yr
Part-time: 2 yrs (School-Based)

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Course description

The Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, provides the foundational skills and practical experience needed to begin a career in health services. Designed for those looking to support patient care in hospitals and healthcare facilities, the course combines hands-on training with essential theoretical knowledge.

You’ll learn key skills in communication, infection prevention and control, food service, cleaning, client transport, and workplace safety, all vital for working effectively in a healthcare environment. The course prepares you for roles such as Patient Services Assistant, Ward Assistant, or Health Services Support Worker.

We work closely with industry partners, including major healthcare providers in our local regions, to ensure the course reflects current workforce needs and expectations. This collaboration helps shape a learning experience that is relevant, practical, and aligned with real-world healthcare settings.

Whether you're entering the workforce or planning to pursue further study in nursing or allied health, this course offers a strong and supportive pathway into the healthcare industry.

Possible career outcomes

Patient Services Assistant
Wards person
Health services assistant

Wondering if this industry will suit you?

We have created a short course quiz to help you gain a little more understanding of what is required and whether you might enjoy a role in this industry. Take the quiz here.

Applications & attendance

How to apply

Follow our instructions for how to apply for a course.
Apply online by selecting an intake from the Applications & attendance table below.

If you need help, visit Customer Service or email COURINFO@gordontafe.edu.au.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.

Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants

To become an apprentice or trainee, you will first need to find an employer willing to employ you. An Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can assist you with this. Find a local provider here.

Intake	Applications	Attendance	Classes
2026 January Werribee Princes Campus	Open: 1 Aug 2025 Close: 19 Jan 2026	Class Day	Full Time \| Start: 29 Jan 2026 \| Wed, Thurs & Fri I 9am - 4pm	Apply
2026 January East Geelong Campus	Open: 1 Aug 2025 Close: 19 Jan 2026	Class Day	Full Time \| Start: 27 Jan 2026 \| Mon, Tues & Fri I 9am - 4pm	Apply

Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.

Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.

An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course. Spaces are limited and only completed applications will be considered for an offer. Intakes can be cancelled at any time.

Additional attendance information

To successfully participate in this course, learners must:

Have access to a suitable device and a reliable internet connection
Possess sufficient digital literacy skills to:

o Access and navigate online resources and the simulated workplace environment

o Submit assessment tasks electronically

o Communicate effectively with teachers via email, the student portal, and the Learning Management System (LMS)

Work placement/industry experience

Duration & Structure	80 Hours
Location	University Hospital – Barwon Health, Werribee Mercy Hospital in Werribee, Western Health Hospital Sunshine and Footscray * You may be required to travel outside of your usual training location to attend placement. This may include other regional areas or suburbs of Melbourne. Travel and accommodation costs are the responsibility of the student.
Organised by	The Gordon
Additional requirements	Students MUST; • Provide a current Working with Children Check. • Provide a valid Police Check. For the duration of the clinical placement, all students must have Immunity to hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, pertussis, rubella, varicella, tuberculosis; and not have an active tuberculosis infection. Students must be triple vaccinated against COVID-19.
Additional Information	*Placement is not paid work and student will not receive payment for undertaking practical placement.

Entrance requirements

Applicants are expected to have literacy skills at Year 11 or Year 12 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3 and numeracy skills at Year 10 or Year 11 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 2.

Apprenticeship and traineeship requirements

Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants must be currently employed under a training contract and referred by their employer.

Personal Learning Requirements

There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.

Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.

Pre-training review

Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.

Units & assessments

Core Units	Code	Hours
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control	HLTINF006	35
Communicate and work in health or community services	CHCCOM005	30
Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately	BSBMED301	60
Organise personal work priorities and development	BSBWOR301	30
Participate in workplace health and safety	HLTWHS001	20
Recognise healthy body systems	HLTAAP001	70
Work with diverse people	CHCDIV001	40
Elective Units	Code	Hours
Assist with movement	CHCCCS002	25
Follow basic food safety practices	HLTFSE001	30
Perform general cleaning tasks in a clinical setting	HLTHSS003	20
Prepare and maintain beds	CHCCCS012	15
Provide First Aid	HLTAID011	18
Provide ward or unit based food preparation and distribution services	HLTFSE002	30
Respond effectively to behaviours of concern	CHCCCS020	20
Transport individuals	CHCCCS026	20

Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.

Assessment is based on:

Questioning
Observations and practical demonstrations
Portfolio (work samples)
Product (reports, projects, role plays etc)

Fees

This course is eligible for Free TAFE!

Eligible Victorian students who elect to use their Free TAFE opportunity will not incur any tuition fees. Material and resources fees still apply. Follow the link for further information and to check the eligibility criteria.

Fees	Rate	Unit	Indicative Course Hours	Indicative Tuition	Indicative Gov Total
Concession Tuition	AUD $1.10	per hour	463	AUD $509.00	AUD $6,562.00
Standard Tuition	AUD $5.52	per hour	463	AUD $2,556.00	AUD $6,562.00
Full Fee Tuition	AUD $14.04	per hour	463	AUD $6,501.00

Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee
Resources	AUD $300.00	Once	Charged at enrolment
Education Levy	AUD $69.45		Charged at enrolment
Administrative Fee	AUD $250.00	Once	Charged at enrolment
Materials	AUD $110.00	Once	Charged at enrolment

All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.

Which fee will I pay?

Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees & Payments pages.

Fee help

Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.

Further study options

HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing

Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.