Overview
Gain the knowledge and skills to provide therapeutic and program-related support to allied health professionals, and to assist patients with their rehabilitation.
Delivered by expert staff through our award-winning interactive e-learning model, the Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance HLT43015 at VU Polytechnic will provide you with the essential training to work alongside health professionals such as physiotherapists or occupational therapists in the health industry.
Upon completion of this course you will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to:
- provide therapeutic and program-related support to allied health professionals
- conduct therapeutic and program-related activities under the guidance of an allied health professional
- identify client circumstances that need more input from an allied health professional
- work in a speciality area, or in general areas, across an organisation to deliver allied health assistance
- work in conjunction with an allied health professional
- be responsible for supervising other allied health assistance workers.
During this course, you will undertake a work placement to help you gain necessary skills to work in the industry.
Free TAFE - apply now
Eligible students currently won’t pay tuition fees for this course.
Free TAFE courses align with skills and jobs that are in high demand from Victorian employers.
Find out more about Free TAFE.
Practical learning & clinical placement
Everything you learn at Victoria University Polytechnic has direct links to the real world.
You’ll have the chance to put theory into practice with 120 hours of placement that gives you hands-on work experience. You’ll learn from teachers who have valuable industry contacts and the latest industry-standard skills and knowledge.
Learning with us means you’ll get the practical training to be job-ready when you graduate.
COVID-19 vaccine requirement
In response to Victoria's Roadmap announced in September 2021, all students must have any COVID-19 vaccine prior to the commencement of placement.
- You must provide evidence of having the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are not compliant with this requirement you are not eligible to undertake a placement and progress within the course.
- You must be willing to undergo any additional checks and immunisations as directed by the University.
Learning advice
VU's Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.
Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.
We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.
Our programs include:
- workshops
- drop-in sessions
- peer mentoring
- maths and writing resources
- resume and career guidance.
We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.
Library & computer facilities
Our campus libraries have photocopying, computing and printing facilities as well as electronic and print resources.
You'll also have access to a rich collection of online resources at any time of the day or night, including:
- databases
- e-learning content for courses
- student email
- student software packages
- social networking tools.
On campus, we make sure that all of our students have access to digital resources. We offer:
- excellent WiFi networks
- more than 4000 computers (PCs and Apple Macs) across our campuses
- a central IT helpdesk for technical help.
Community-focused place to study
Victoria University Polytechnic believes in inclusivity, diversity and opportunity. We have a strong history of community engagement, working with organisations in the region to develop programs that meet local needs.
These partnerships benefit the communities near each of our campuses, and benefit our students too. By contributing to local projects, we can ensure our students’ skills are well matched to opportunities in the region, and create networks for future employment.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced Victoria University Polytechnic course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
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Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
- Course information sessions
Careers in allied health services assistance
Courses in the Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative align with skills and jobs that are in demand from Victorian employers. Possible career opportunities emerging from the completion of Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance HLT43015 include:
- therapy assistant
- physiotherapy assistant
- occupational therapy assistant
- community rehabilitation assistant
- allied health assistant
- allied health worker
- community rehabilitation assistant.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded the HLT43015 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance, a student must successfully complete a total of sixteen (16) units of competency, comprising of:
- seven (7) core units, and;
- nine (9) elective units, of which:
- at least six (6) units must be selected from the electives listed in the HLT43015 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance qualification; at least 2 of these units must be coded HLTAHA;
- three (3) units may be selected from any endorsed training package or accredited course. These units must be relevant to the work outcome.
Any combination of electives that meets the rules above can be selected for the award of the Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance. Where appropriate, electives may be packaged to provide a qualification with a specialisation.
Specialisation offered by VU Polytechnic:
- All Group E electives must be selected for award of the Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Community rehabilitation)
All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome as well as be approved by Victoria University Polytechnic.
The Polytechnic currently offer the following specialisation:
- Community rehabilitation.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
Specialisation: Community rehabilitation
To be awarded this specialisation, the following additional rule must be adhered to:
- all Group E (2) electives must be selected.
CORE UNITS
ELECTIVE UNITS
Group A: Physiotherapy
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- Unit code
- HLTAHA005
Group B: Podiatry
Group B electives are not currently offered by the Polytechnic.
Group C: Occupational therapy
Group C electives are not currently offered by the Polytechnic.
Group D: Speech pathology
Group D electives are not currently offered by the Polytechnic.
Group E: Community rehabilitation
Group F: Nutrition and dietetics
Group F electives are not currently offered by the Polytechnic.
Other Electives
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- Unit code
- HLTAHA001
Other Electives continuing students only
Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers
Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of workers who provide therapeutic and program related support to allied health professionals. The worker is required to conduct therapeutic and program related activities under the guidance of an allied health professional. Supervision may be direct, indirect or remote and must occur within organisation requirements. The worker is required to identify client circumstances that need additional input from the allied health professional. The worker may be engaged to work in a speciality area or work generically across the organisation in delivery of allied health assistance services. The worker, in conjunction with the allied health professional, may have responsibility for supervising other allied health assistance workers.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
As part of the application process, applicants must complete a Pre-training Review (PTR) and undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine suitability for admission.
Practical Placement:
For employment and practical placement purposes, this vocational sector typically requires:
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a current and satisfactory Police Record Check
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a current and valid Working with Children Check
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evidence of influenza vaccination
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evidence of COVID-19 vaccination (unless an exception applies):
- fully vaccinated if under 18 years old
- fully vaccinated (booster) if 18 years and over.
see here for further information: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/vaccination-for-healthcare-workers
The following are suggested sites you could visit to obtain these checks:
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Police Record Check - http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274
- Working with Children Check - http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Available start dates:
- 10 July 2023
- 1 October 2023
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Apply direct to VU using our admission centre, submit applications for one or more courses, track and save your progress and upload additional information.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Contact VU Polytechnic
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
