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Certificate III · national qualification

Certificate III in Health Administration

This qualification prepares you for the front desk, records and reception side of health care, the administrative work that keeps a clinic, hospital ward or aged care service running.

Compare 9 providers
How long it takes
18 months
full time at TAFE NSW
What it costs
From $1,450
Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $9,030
How you can study
Online or on campus
Taught by
9 providers
Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

What the Certificate III in Health Administration asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

  • an interest in helping patients and their families
  • good communication skills for dealing with people
  • an eye for detail when handling patient records
  • a careful approach to following health and safety routines

Before you start

N/A

Certificate III or Diploma?

The Diploma of Health Administration is a higher level than this Certificate III. This level covers administrative work in health settings, following known routines and procedures under general supervision.

See the course

Where this course can take you

No job needs this course on its own, but it can help with the work below.

Jobs this course can help with

None of these jobs needs a set qualification.

  • Medical Receptionist

    Medical receptionists run the front desk of a medical practice, booking appointments, keeping patient records and handling the calls, forms and payments that sit around each consultation.

    Median pay$63,900

  • Typist

    Typists turn handwritten drafts, audio recordings and printed documents into accurate, correctly formatted digital files.

    Median pay$57,200 (estimate)

  • Ward Clerk

    Ward clerks keep the administrative side of a hospital ward running, handling admissions, patient records and enquiries so clinical staff can stay with patients.

    Median pay$67,600 (estimate)

If you study further

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.

What it costs

Subsidised place

From $1,450

at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.

Paying the full fee

$4,745 to $9,030

across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.

  • TAFE NSWNSW

    Subsidised
    $1,450
    Concession
    $240
    Full fee
    $9,030
    How long
    18 months

  • TAFE QueenslandQLD

    Subsidised
    $1,495
    Concession
    $795
    Full fee
    $4,745

Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.

Where you can study this course

There are 9 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

What you’ll learn

13 units: 5 that everyone takes and 8 you choose.

  • Medical terminology
  • Communicating in health settings
  • Working with diverse people
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Workplace health and safety
  • Customer service skills
See all 5 core units

Core units

Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.

  • Loading the details for CHCCOM005…

Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

Questions people ask

Who is this qualification for?

It prepares you for front desk, records and reception work in health care, such as a clinic, hospital ward or aged care service. You learn medical terminology, communication and customer service, infection prevention and workplace safety. Most work follows established procedures under general supervision, with responsibility for your own work.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

The qualification itself has no entry requirements. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.

How is it different from Diploma of Health Administration?

The Diploma of Health Administration is a higher level than this Certificate III. This level covers administrative work in health settings, following known routines and procedures under general supervision.

Related courses

The national training register, training.gov.au. TAFE course pages, read 20 September 2026. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.