← Certificate III qualifications
Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
HLT - Health
Support qualification for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology and podiatry practices.
Entry requirements
- Police Check
- Year 10 or equivalent
What you will learn
The HLT33115 prepares allied health assistants to support physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dietitians and podiatrists under delegated supervision. Core units include working in the health industry, assisting with movement programs, assisting with self-care activities, infection prevention and control under the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare, manual handling and risk assessment, and communicating with clients with cognitive or communication impairments. Elective streams let you focus on physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry or speech pathology support.
Skills you build
- Assisting with prescribed exercise and movement programs
- Manual handling and patient transfers
- Infection prevention and control to NHMRC guidelines
- Setting up and cleaning treatment equipment
- Communicating with clients with cognitive impairment
- Documenting client progress for the delegating clinician
- Basic anatomy and physiology relevant to allied health
How the course runs
Most students study full-time over 12 months with around 480 hours of classroom and simulation training plus a minimum 120 hours of work placement. Theory and practical split around 50/50, with skills lab sessions on patient handling, hygiene, equipment setup and basic exercise prescription support. Some RTOs offer it as a traineeship in partnership with hospital and primary health employers.
How you will be assessed
- Practical demonstrations in TAFE simulation labs
- Workplace observation by a clinical supervisor
- Written knowledge tests per unit of competency
- Case study presentations on client conditions
- First aid certification and infection control assessment
Workplace and placement
At least 120 hours of supervised work placement is required, typically in a hospital, community health centre or private allied health practice. Placements arranged by the RTO or by the student through industry partnerships. Allied health assistant wages are set under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. Many graduates are hired by their placement employer.
Typical employers
- Public hospitals (state health departments)
- Community health centres
- Private allied health practices (physio, OT, podiatry)
- Aged-care residential facilities
- NDIS provider organisations
- Rehabilitation centres
Pay after this qualification
$55,000 - $70,000 per year
Source: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/explore-careers/occupation/health-and-welfare-services-managers. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
Is this the right course for you?
You probably thrive here if
- You can take direction from senior clinicians
- You enjoy hands-on supportive work with clients
- You can handle exposure to clinical environments
- You can document client progress clearly
- You can pass a Police Check and Working With Children Check
It is probably not for you if
- You struggle with hierarchical workplace structures
- You react badly to clinical environments (bodily fluids, hospitals)
- You have a back condition that limits manual handling
- You cannot commit to attending placement reliably
After you finish
After Cert III you can progress to Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (HLT43015) for advanced practice as a senior allied health assistant. Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology and Exercise Physiology degrees at ACU, Charles Sturt, La Trobe and others give credit or favourable consideration for the Cert III. Many AHAs use the qualification as a stepping stone to clinical degrees with AHPRA-registered professions.