Allied health assistance courses
You can start in health care with a certificate that takes under a year, or train for a technical role in the operating theatre with a diploma. Here's what each course leads to, how long it takes and what it costs.
- Quickest way to start
- 6 months
- Certificate III, full time at TAFE NSW
- TAFE cost from
- $1,450
- subsidised Certificate III, TAFE NSW
- What the jobs pay
- $57,200 to $80,600
- median pay across 3 jobs, some estimated
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
Certificate III in Sterilisation Services
Work in a hospital sterilising service
Clean, check and sterilise surgical instruments so they are safe to use again.
Median pay$62,400 (estimate)
- How long it takes
- 6 to 12 months full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $1,450 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $7,690 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online, on campus or on the job
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
Assist therapists and their clients
Run therapy and program activities that a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or speech pathologist has delegated to you.
Median pay$57,200 (estimate)
- How long it takes
- 6 to 24 months full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $1,550 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $12,110 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice
Work alongside anaesthetists in theatre
Get patients ready for anaesthesia, watch them while it is given and keep the equipment stocked and ready.
Median pay$80,600 (estimate)
- How long it takes
- Typically 1 to 2 years
- What it costs
- $18,925 at TAFE Queensland if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $24,040 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate III in Health Services Assistance | Certificate III in Sterilisation Services | Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance | Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,600 | $10,840 | $1,450 | $7,690 | $1,550 | $12,110 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $2,593 | $7,455 | $3,179 | $8,198 | $4,893 | $19,456 | Not listed | Not listed |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $3,844 | $9,913 | Not listed | Not listed | $8,683 | $22,870 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $1,721 | $7,185 | Not listed | Not listed | $4,198 | $22,368 | Not listed | Not listed |
| The Gordon | VIC | $2,556 | $6,501 | $1,622 | $7,262 | $4,400 | $18,354 | Not listed | Not listed |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $2,715 | $5,970 | $2,605 | $5,870 | $2,110 | $8,625 | $18,925 | $24,040 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- $1,600 subsidised
- $10,840 full fee
- Certificate III in Sterilisation Services
- $1,450 subsidised
- $7,690 full fee
- Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
- $1,550 subsidised
- $12,110 full fee
- Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice
- Not listed
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- $2,593 subsidised
- $7,455 full fee
- Certificate III in Sterilisation Services
- $3,179 subsidised
- $8,198 full fee
- Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
- $4,893 subsidised
- $19,456 full fee
- Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice
- Not listed
GOTAFEVIC
- Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- $3,844 subsidised
- $9,913 full fee
- Certificate III in Sterilisation Services
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
- $8,683 subsidised
- $22,870 full fee
- Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice
- Not listed
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- $1,721 subsidised
- $7,185 full fee
- Certificate III in Sterilisation Services
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
- $4,198 subsidised
- $22,368 full fee
- Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice
- Not listed
The GordonVIC
- Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- $2,556 subsidised
- $6,501 full fee
- Certificate III in Sterilisation Services
- $1,622 subsidised
- $7,262 full fee
- Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
- $4,400 subsidised
- $18,354 full fee
- Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice
- Not listed
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- $2,715 subsidised
- $5,970 full fee
- Certificate III in Sterilisation Services
- $2,605 subsidised
- $5,870 full fee
- Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
- $2,110 subsidised
- $8,625 full fee
- Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice
- $18,925 subsidised
- $24,040 full fee
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
Short university courses
Other certificates and diplomas
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
- Sterilisation TechnicianWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$62,400 (estimate)
- Allied Health AssistantWhat you needCertificate IVMedian pay$57,200 (estimate)
- Anaesthetic TechnicianWhat you needDiplomaMedian pay$80,600 (estimate)
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.