HomeCoursesAllied health assistanceCertificate IV
Certificate IV · national qualification
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
This certificate prepares you to work as an allied health assistant, carrying out therapy and program activities that a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist or similar professional has delegated to you.
- How long it takes
- 6 to 24 months
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $1,550
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $22,870
- How you can study
- Online or on campus
- Includes a work placement
- Main job
- Allied Health Assistant
- $57,200 (estimate) median pay
- Taught by
- 26 providers
- Every state and territory
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in helping people with their health and wellbeing
- good communication skills for explaining things clearly
- a calm and patient approach when people are stressed
- the ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team
Before you start
N/A
Where this course can take you
Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.
Jobs you can do with it
Allied Health Assistant
Allied health assistants carry out the therapy and rehabilitation programs an allied health professional has set, working with patients on movement, function and daily living.
What else you need
Work placement of 120 hours in an allied health setting is part of the course. You will also need a Working with Children Check and health screenings. Allied health assistants work under delegation from registered professionals, and employers set their own requirements, so check them and the provider's registration.
Median pay$57,200 (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 $1,550
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$8,625 to $22,870
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,550 | $240 | $12,110 | 6 to 24 months |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $4,893 | $979 | $19,456 | |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $8,683 | $1,737 | $22,870 | |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $4,198 | $840 | $22,368 | |
| The Gordon | VIC | $4,400 | $878 | $18,354 | |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $2,110 | $705 | $8,625 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $1,550
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $12,110
- How long
- 6 to 24 months
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $4,893
- Concession
- $979
- Full fee
- $19,456
GOTAFEVIC
- Subsidised
- $8,683
- Concession
- $1,737
- Full fee
- $22,870
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $4,198
- Concession
- $840
- Full fee
- $22,368
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $4,400
- Concession
- $878
- Full fee
- $18,354
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Subsidised
- $2,110
- Concession
- $705
- Full fee
- $8,625
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 26 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
5 campuses, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online
- How long
- 6 to 24 months
- Fee
- From $1,550 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 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
What students like
- Lecturers are approachable and care about learning
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
2 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- Fee
- From $2,110 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
18 units: 10 that everyone takes and 8 you choose.
- Medical terminology
- Infection prevention and control
- Safe practice in client care
- Responding to behaviours of concern
- Clinical supervision and delegation
- Assisting with allied health programs
See all 10 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?
- Who arranges the work placement, and how many hours does it involve?
- 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 as an allied health assistant, supporting clients under the delegation and supervision of an allied health professional. You will run individual and group sessions and work in settings such as hospitals, aged care, disability services and private clinics.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
The qualification itself has no entry requirements, but individual providers can set their own conditions. Check with the provider you choose before enrolling.
Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?
No licensing, registration or check is stated for this qualification.