Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
HLT43021
Length
1 Year (full time)
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance - HLT43021
Course Overview
This qualification reflects the role of allied health assistants who provide therapeutic and program-related support to persons, in the health, aged care, disability, and any other settings where Allied Health Professionals provide services. Allied Health Assistants work under the delegation and supervision of Allied Health Professionals and assist in identifying circumstances and risks and reporting issues.
They may be engaged to work in single discipline or multidisciplinary roles not limited to health, aged care, or disability services and other settings and may also have responsibility for other allied health assistance workers according to their scope of practice.
To achieve this qualification, students must have completed at least 120 hours of clinical placement.
This course is currently available as part of the Free TAFE scheme but is subject to eligibility requirements and may change in the future.
Careers & study pathways
Where can this course take me?
Roles graduates may be eligible for include:
- Physiotherapy Assistant
- Speech Pathology Assistant
- Diversional Therapy Assistant
- Nutrition Assistant
- Occupational Assistant
- Therapy Assistant
Further study
After graduating, participants might like to undertake further study in the HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing.
Course details
Study units
Take a look at some of the subjects you’ll be studying when you take this course.
This course requires a total of 18 units: 10 core and 8 elective.
Core units
10 unit(s)
- BSBMED301 Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
- CHCCCS020 Respond effectively to behaviours of concern
- CHCCCS036 Support relationships with carer and family
- CHCCCS038 Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
- CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
- HLTAHA027 Assist with an allied health program
- HLTAHA047 Engage with clinical supervision and delegation
- HLTAHA049 Recognise impact of health conditions
- HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
- HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care
Elective units
8 unit(s)
- CHCAGE007 Recognise and report risk of falls
- CHCCCS002 Assist with movement
- HLTAHA028 Deliver and monitor physical or manual therapy programs
- HLTAHA033 Conduct group sessions for individual outcomes
- HLTAHA035 Provide support in dysphagia management
- HLTAHA043 Support the provision of basic nutritional advice and education
- HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
- HLTHPS001 Take clinical measurements
Attendance & commitment
General public blended delivery | 1-year course length | Full-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend on campus one day per week (Monday, 6 hours) and one day per week for a virtual class (Tuesday, 2 x 3 hours).
- Attend five 6-hour days of training and assessment in the simulated lab on campus - 100% attendance is required.
- Spend approximately 12 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
- Complete 120 hours of placement, as outlined in the placement details below.
Placement
- Placement is organised by GOTAFE.
- A practical placement agreement is entered into between GOTAFE, the student, and the host provider and is signed before the commencement of placement.
- Placement consists of 120 hours, which occurs in one block (over 4 weeks) at the end of the course. Each placement may involve shift work and hours will vary, depending on the placement host's requirements.
- Students may need to travel throughout Regional Victoria.
- 100% attendance is required on placement
- GOTAFE polo shirt must be worn on placement
Traineeship blended delivery | 1-year course length | Full-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend on campus one day per week (Monday, 6 hours) and one day per week for a virtual class (Tuesday, 2 x 3 hours).
- Attend 5 x 6-hour days of training and assessment in the simulated lab on campus - 100% attendance is required.
- Spend approximately 8 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
- Meet with their trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
- Complete 120 hours of mandated placement, at their place of work.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods may include:
- Knowledge questions
- Simulated demonstrations
- Workplace demonstrations
- Multiple choice assessments
- Case studies
Before you begin
Entry requirements
GOTAFE entry requirements
Before being accepted into this course applicants must:
- Complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online test to ensure the required literacy & numeracy levels for the course are met.
- Undertake a Pre-training Review by interview to ensure the course suits their needs and aspirations, and that they are likely to complete the course successfully.
- Prospective Traineeship or Apprenticeship students are required to apply through an Apprenticeship Network Provider with their employer to organise their apprenticeship contract before applying for this course.
Placement requirements
Before being accepted into placement students must have:
- National Police Check with no disclosable outcomes (check not less than 6 months old at the time of commencement of placement).
- Working with Children Check (Volunteer - with at least 1 year before expiry).
- Students may also be required to have the NDIS screening check, depending on the host employers for placement.
- A GOTAFE Polo shirt, available to purchase at induction.
All students will be required to show evidence of immunisation/serology, including boosters of the following before placement:
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Triple Antigen - tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis
- Hepatitis B (may have Hepatitis A)
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Influenza
- Covid -19
Inherent requirements
- Applicants will be required to have the physical stamina to work effectively with clients experiencing health concerns.
- Students may be required to assist patients with therapy programs.
- Students must have the ability to read and comprehend therapy plans and prescriptions.
- Some lifting may be required.
- This industry can involve weekend work.
- Dealing with speech disorders will require good hearing/speech.
Student resources
Students must have:
- A laptop/computer with internet access.
- Access to a digital camera or video camera for visual and audio assessment tasks.
- General stationery (pens, pencils, rulers).
Enrolment
Please note: Eligible individuals who wish to access a government-subsidised place, must participate in a Pre-training Review. This will consider your:
- Aspirations/career goals
- Educational attainment and capability
- Literacy and numeracy skills
- Suitability for Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer
Skills recognition / Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Skills Recognition is an assessment only process that may result in credits towards a part or full qualification. There is no formal training involved, although you may choose to complete further training as a result of the assessment process.
You can apply for Skills Recognition before you enrol in the qualification you are seeking. You can apply for Skills Recognition through one or both of the following processes:
- Credit Transfer for formal training that might be equivalent to a new qualification or partial qualification.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people who have relevant and current skills and knowledge that they have gained through non-formal or informal learning i.e. work or life experience.
Fees and payments
This course is available as part of the Free TAFE scheme for eligible students.
Fees and costs
GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding to eligible individuals.
Please note that the fees on this webpage, for this particular course:
- are correct at the time of publishing for those enrolling in 2025 and may change without notice.
- will be discussed with applications as part of the application process to ensure it is understood what is being paid for and which fee rates they may be eligible for.
Course Fees consist of three different components:
- Student Tuition Fee - covers the costs of training and assessment. These fees vary across courses and are calculated based on a rate per nominal hour enrolled in. The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Circumstances may include:
- an individual’s eligibility for Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- an individual’s eligibility for concession rates on Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- ineligible individuals who are required to pay the full fees for tuition and other costs.
- Material Fee - where applicable, cover the costs of classroom consumables, handouts and booklets, e-Learning resources and associated license access fees and excursions.
- Student Services Fee (SSF) – contributes to the provision of student engagement, learning and support services. SSF is a non-refundable annual fee that does not apply to short-course participants.
Additionally, some courses require students to purchase or supply textbooks, kits, tools, uniforms and personal protection equipment. Some specific materials may be purchased through the GOTAFE Bookshop. A full list with associated costs will be provided to you at your course information session, induction session, or during the pre-training review interview.
GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your fees.
Learn more about fees, charges, refunds and payment options
Student support
As an enrolled student at GOTAFE you may access a wide range of academic support services to assist you to meet the academic challenges of your course from our Learning Support Unit.
Learning support
A free and confidential service to help you build the foundation skills you need to be successful at TAFE. Improve your english language, maths and/or writing skills; enhance your computer, exam and study skills.
Learn more about our learning support services
Library
Our library team are passionate about supporting students to achieve their study goals. They have subject guides, referencing help, and online resources to assist you with you assessments.
Find how to reach out to our library in Shepparton
Jobs and study options
Our Skills and Jobs Centres can assist and talk through options for courses, careers, assistance with job applications and more.
Reach out to our Skills and Jobs Centres
Contingent Study Arrangements
Where a situation arises that prevents campus attendance (such as COVID restrictions, natural disasters, etc.) and it is deemed an appropriate response in protecting the health and safety of staff, students, and visitors, this course will adapt to alternative training arrangements, possibly using online methods of teaching and/or communication while students engage from home with their Trainers. Any required practical components of the course will be moved to a more appropriate time.
Whether you need support with time management, your mental health, grief and loss, a diagnosed disability, financial hardship, or any other challenge life throws your way, we are here to help.
Support for personal issues
We have a dedicated team to ensure students have the help they need with personal issues impacting studies such as homelessness, family problems & setting up payment plans.
Find out how the Student Experience Team can help you
Disability support
Get access to the supports and adjustments you need for your disability or medical condition to be successful in your studies.
Seek support from our Equitable Learning Advisors
Counselling services
We offer free counselling services to help you work through life's challenges including grief and loss, mental health or relationships.
Learn about our Student Wellbeing Advisors
Koorie Unit
The Koorie Unit is a culturally safe space on our Shepparton Fryers Street Campus for all Koorie students enrolled and studying through GOTAFE, or with one of our education partnering organisations.
Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.
Further information is provided at course induction.
This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
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