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MSL30118 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills~

Next intake VET Full Year 2024
LocationsGeelong City Campus
Duration Part-time: Delivered in VETDSS area only

Course description

Are you currently attending secondary school, love science and want to work in a laboratory? Then this is the course for you!

Laboratory skills gives students hands on experience in scientific techniques by working in a simulated laboratory. You will use current industry procedures; learn how to collect samples for testing, prepare laboratory solutions, handle bacteria and use high performance equipment in our microbiology, chemistry and general purpose laboratories. This course will also cover work health and safety, communications skills, and quality systems in laboratories. 

The Certificate III in laboratory skills is delivered to VETDSS students on a part time basis, while they study at a secondary college. If you choose to complete scored assessments in the second year, your score will then contribute to your ATAR. 

If you are a Gordon VCE student

This course is offered to Gordon VCE students one day per week. To APPLY, select the VCE ONLY apply button below. As you will be studying in conjunction with VCE the entry requirements, learning outcomes and assessments differ. This course may be delivered under VETDSS as a partial qualification. Fees APPLY for this course – see the Fees section below.

~ This course is in transition.

The course code, title, units and content may change in future. Further information will be provided on The Gordon website, upon enrolment and/or during the course of your training.

Possible career outcomes

  • Laboratory technician
  • Laboratory assistant in a school
  • Instrument operator

Applications & attendance

How to apply

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

If you need help, visit Customer Service or request application support via email.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.

IntakeApplicationsAttendanceClassesDuration 
2024 VET Full Year
Geelong City Campus Open: 1 Aug 2023
Close: 12 Mar 2024 Class DayIntake Only for Gordon VCE Student
  Part-time: Delivered in VETDSS area only  Apply  

 

Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessment activities outside class time. This will be different for each course and will depend on a student’s level of skill and experience.

Class days and times in the above table are indicative. Prior to course commencement, changes may be necessary. Follow the link for more information on Attendance mode definitions. When you submit your application, please make sure you answer all the questions. Only successful applicants with complete applications will receive an offer. We issue offers as soon as possible. Follow the link for more information on Offer timing.

Many courses have limited places and high demand. We may close an intake before the date above. We recommend you apply early. If student numbers are insufficient we may cancel an intake or a course.

  • 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.

  • Applicants must be attending Secondary School.  
  • You must reside in Victoria to access Victorian Government Subsidised Fees and any incentive such as Free TAFE. Full fees apply to all non-Victorian residents.

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 .

In order to prepare for your LLN, you may wish to attempt some practise tests in which you will find similar questions (with solutions too). These practice tests are not VSL approved but may be similar in question type and level of difficulty to what may be asked in the VSL approved LLN. Click here for practice tests. Please note, the VSL approved LLN cannot be resat within 3 months of undertaking it.

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.

Selection mode

  • Via the VETDSS department

Core Units Code Hours
Communicate with other people MSL913003 40
Contribute to the achievement of quality objectives MSL933006 30
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices MSMENV272 30
Participate in laboratory or field workplace safety MSL943004 40
Plan and conduct laboratory/field work MSL913004 40
Record and present data MSL922001 40
Elective Units Code Hours
Collect routine site samples MSL952001 30
Maintain the laboratory/field workplace fit for purpose MSL933005 30
Perform aseptic techniques MSL973016 40
Perform basic tests MSL973013 60
Perform microscopic examination MSL973019 40
Prepare culture media MSL973015 30
Prepare working solutions MSL973014 50

 

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:

  • Hands-on work    
  • Written assignments    
  • Industry placement    
  • Team projects    
  • Scored Assessment in second year is available 

This course is eligible for Free TAFE!

Eligible Victorian students who elect to use their one 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.

FeesRateUnitIndicative Course HoursIndicative Tuition Payable by StudentMax. Indicative Government Subsidy Total
Concession Tuition AUD $0.55 per hour 500 AUD $275.00 AUD $7,560.00
Standard Tuition AUD $2.77 per hour 500 AUD $1,385.00 AUD $7,560.00
Full Fee Tuition AUD $13.90 per hour 500 AUD $6,950.00

Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee

Education Levy AUD $75.00

 

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 and student loans

VET Student Loans are available for eligible students for tuition fees ONLY.
The current years maximum VET Student Loan Course Cap is $

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

  • MSL40118 Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
  • MSL50118 Diploma of Laboratory Technology
  • Bachelor of Science

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.

Date published: 20/11/2023 4:14:42 PM
MSL30118-Certificate-III-in-Laboratory-Skills