HomeCoursesAllied health assistanceCertificate III
Certificate III · national qualification
Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
This qualification prepares you to work alongside nurses, doctors and other health professionals, helping with the day to day care of patients in hospitals, clinics and aged care settings.
- How long it takes
- 6 months
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $1,600
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $10,840
- How you can study
- Online, on campus or on the job
- Taught by
- 36 providers
- Every state and territory
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in Health Services Assistance asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in caring for people who are unwell
- patience and a calm manner with patients
- an interest in how the human body works
- clear communication skills with people from all backgrounds
Before you start
Each provider sets its own entry requirements, so check the ones you are considering.
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.
Hospital Orderly
Hospital orderlies move patients, equipment and supplies around a hospital so clinical staff can stay with the people in their care.
Median pay$61,400 (estimate)
If you study further
Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice
Leads to work as an, median pay $80,600 (estimate).
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 $1,600
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$5,970 to $10,840
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,600 | $240 | $10,840 | 6 months |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $2,593 | $519 | $7,455 | |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $3,844 | $769 | $9,913 | |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $1,721 | $345 | $7,185 | |
| The Gordon | VIC | $2,556 | $509 | $6,501 | |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $2,715 | $2,010 | $5,970 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $1,600
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $10,840
- How long
- 6 months
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $2,593
- Concession
- $519
- Full fee
- $7,455
GOTAFEVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,844
- Concession
- $769
- Full fee
- $9,913
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $1,721
- Concession
- $345
- Full fee
- $7,185
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $2,556
- Concession
- $509
- Full fee
- $6,501
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Subsidised
- $2,715
- Concession
- $2,010
- Full fee
- $5,970
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 36 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.
- Website for Melbourne Polytechnic (opens in a new tab)
Melbourne Polytechnic
13 campuses, VIC
3.7from 485 Google reviews
What students like
- Some teachers are supportive and go out of their way
- Student services offer understanding and compassion
What to weigh up
- Messages to staff can go unanswered
- Enrolment mistakes can take time to fix
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
Nepean, Kingswood Campus, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- How long
- 6 months
- Fee
- From $1,600 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Website for Victoria University (opens in a new tab)
Victoria University
11 campuses, NSW, QLD, VIC
3.9from 1,562 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are friendly, supportive and approachable
- Studying one subject at a time through the block model
- Staff are welcoming and ready to help
What to weigh up
- Admin can be hard to reach after you finish
- Website for Charles Darwin University (opens in a new tab)
Charles Darwin University
12 campuses, NSW, NT
4.2from 619 Google reviews
What students like
- Admin and support staff are helpful
What to weigh up
- Units vary depending on the lecturer
- Feedback on assessments can vary
- Website for Swinburne University of Technology (opens in a new tab)
Swinburne University of Technology
8 campuses, VIC
4.0from 1,190 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers and tutors are supportive and want students to succeed
- Student HQ and support staff are helpful and responsive
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- You may be passed between departments
- Website for TAFE Gippsland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
11 campuses, VIC
3.9from 113 Google reviews
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
14 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- Fee
- From $2,715 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
- Website for TAFE SA (opens in a new tab)
TAFE SA
26 campuses, SA
4.4from 1,339 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are nice and helpful
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course information can be unclear
What you’ll learn
15 units: 7 that everyone takes and 8 you choose.
- Infection prevention and control
- Healthy body systems
- Medical terminology
- Workplace health and safety
- Communicating with patients
- Working with diverse people
See all 7 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- 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 to work alongside nurses, doctors and other health professionals, helping with day to day care of patients. The work is hands on and supervised, with direct client contact under supervision. It suits people who want to start in health care without going to university, and leads to roles like Assistant in Nursing or Allied Health Assistant.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
Entry requirements are set by each provider, so check with the provider you choose.