HomeCoursesLaboratory scienceCertificate III in Laboratory Skills
Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
This is the entry-level qualification for laboratory work, and it suits school leavers and career changers because there are no entry requirements.
- Duration: 4 months to 18 months
- Study mode: Online and on campus
- Course code: MSL30122
Where you can study this course
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Melbourne Polytechnic
- Campuses
- 13 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
A number of students find the organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some rate the facilities and campus highly.
- Campuses
- 5 campuses
- Duration
- 4 months to 18 months
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- $10,150
- Eligible students: subsidised from $2,680, concession $240
What students say
Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
- Campuses
- 11 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
- Campuses
- 2 campuses
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- $5,750
- Eligible students: subsidised from $1,275, concession $715
What students say
Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.
- Campuses
- 26 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students rate the trainers, teaching, facilities and campus highly, though some found the organisation, admin and communication frustrating; opinions are mixed on facilities and campus.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Box Hill Institute
- Campuses
- 4 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students speak highly of the trainers and teaching, with the campus and facilities also well regarded. Many found student support frustrating, along with organisation and communication.
- Campuses
- 5 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students rate the trainers and teaching highly, along with the student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on student support and course content.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Holmesglen Institute
- Campuses
- 14 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students have mixed views on the trainers and teaching, and many also mention problems with communication and with organisation and admin.
Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
- Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:
- an interest in science and how things are tested
- a careful and methodical approach to tasks
- good attention to detail with numbers and records
- a willingness to follow set procedures closely
What will you learn?
You learn to prepare and test samples using set procedures and Australian Standards, run and adjust test equipment, and record results accurately. A good part of the training is about noticing when measurements drift or a result looks out of control, and knowing what to do about it. Laboratory technicians usually work under close supervision within one scientific discipline, so the course builds careful, precise habits rather than advanced theory.
- Following lab procedures and standards
- Preparing and testing samples
- Operating lab equipment and instruments
- Recording data and spotting trends
- Solving routine lab problems
- Workplace communication
Units of competency (1 core, 12 elective)
The qualification is made up of 13 units. Everyone completes the 1 core units below, and the remaining 12 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).