July 2024
This review is urgently needed to address several critical issues facing the industry. Since its last update in 2015, rapid technological advancements, evolving professional standards, and increasing demand for specialised hearing care services, especially for professionals fitting hearing aids or working as hearing service providers, have emerged as key drivers for change.
The existing structure of the qualifications is outdated, with numerous superseded elective units, reflecting industry concerns about skill inconsistencies and shortages.
Project outcomes will result in qualifications better aligned to current industry needs and regulatory requirements, leading to clear and sustainable career pathways to support existing and future growth in the industry.
A project Technical Committee has been being established with members selected for their expertise relevant to the project’s diverse aspects.
Project fact sheet
View the Terms of Reference and Project Reference Group members.
We are committed to developing training products that meet industry standards and contribute to improving workforce readiness by identifying gaps and opportunities in audiometry skills development.
Our Audiometry Functional Analysis Report provides a clear and detailed overview of the diverse roles, functions and skills required in audiometry services, including hearing screening, diagnostic testing and support for clients across clinical and community settings. The report outlines key competencies required to meet industry demands and supports workforce development by exploring nationally endorsed training pathways for audiometry professionals.
Functional Analysis Report
Methodology
To ensure accuracy and relevance, the functional analysis research process included desktop research and interviews. Desktop research involved reviewing job advertisements, organisational structures, industry reports and government labour market data to understand workforce skill requirements in audiometry and identify emerging trends in hearing assessment, technology and client support.
For the interviews, we engaged with employers, peak bodies, registered training organisations and subject matter experts in audiometry to gather practical insights into roles, functions, sub-functions, skills and knowledge requirements. These conversations helped us identify the specific tasks, challenges and competencies employers prioritise in audiometry workplaces from conducting hearing tests and interpreting results to assisting with hearing device fitting, patient education and referrals.
We also gained a deeper understanding of employer expectations and current and future workforce needs, enabling us to define functions and sub-functions that guide workforce development and inform training product solutions tailored to the audiometry sector.
November 2024
Consultations were held between November 2024 and January 2025.
We collected feedback through workshops, surveys, site visits, e-mails and subject matter experts (SME) meetings. Workshops were held online and face to face around Australia, engaging multiple stakeholders in metro and regional areas, allowing diverse stakeholder perspectives to be captured. View our Consultation Strategy.
Targeted interviews, public workshops and site visits were conducted with stakeholders providing valuable perspectives on the qualification review. Face-to-face workshops and site visits were held in Perth (4/11/24), Adelaide (6/11/24), Alice Springs (8/11/24), Darwin (11/11/24), Brisbane (14/11/24), Sydney (26/11/24), Albury Wodonga (28/11/24), Melbourne (2/12/24) and Canberra (4/12/24). Stakeholders were also provided with the opportunity to participate in online workshops (21/11/24, 12/12/24, 17/12/24, 15/1/25 and 16/1/25 ) and to submit feedback via survey. The survey for this project closed on 17/1/25.
There where 22 people who attended in person workshops and 20 attended online workshops. We held 4 site visits and received surveys with feedback from 5 participants.
We would like to thank all participants who provided their feedback and contributed to the development of the draft training products. Here's what you told us.
Public consultation feedback
The draft training product documentation for this project is available to download.
Draft Training Product Documentation*
* Note: these documents are our initial draft proposed training products from 2024. For finalised updated products, refer to the Finalisation & Submission tab.
Overview of the Occupation and Purpose of Qualification Updates
This project review focused on updating the audiometry qualifications to reflect current industry practices, enhance workforce readiness, and ensure graduates are equipped with the skills required to meet evolving hearing health needs.
Audiometrists play a vital role in assessing hearing, conducting diagnostic tests, fitting hearing devices, and providing ongoing client support and education. Their work spans clinical practices, community health settings, educational institutions, and private hearing services, combining advanced technical skills with strong interpersonal communication and client care.
The qualifications have been updated to ensure they remain current, relevant and fit-for-purpose, reflecting:
- technological advances in diagnostic equipment, hearing aid fitting systems, and digital testing processes
- evolving consumer expectations for personalised and culturally responsive service
- workforce needs for graduates who are immediately job ready and capable of working with diverse client populations
- alignment with national standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practice.
Qualifications and Units Reviewed
The review encompassed the following qualification:
- HLT47415 Certificate IV in Audiometry – equipping graduates with the skills to conduct hearing screening, administer basic tests, and support clients in the use of hearing devices.
- HLT57415 Diploma of Audiometry – building advanced competencies for conducting comprehensive hearing assessments, fitting and programming hearing devices, and providing client rehabilitation and education.
Units reviewed included core competencies in:
- hearing screening and audiometric testing procedures
- fitting, maintenance, and adjustment of hearing aids and assistive listening devices
- client consultation, education, and aftercare
- infection prevention and control in clinical settings
- workplace health, safety, and regulatory compliance
- digital diagnostic equipment uses and data management
- advanced assessment and rehabilitation planning (Diploma level).
Summary of Consultations
We extend our sincere thanks to all individuals and organisations who contributed their time and expertise to this project. At its commencement, a Technical Committee of seven members was established, with representation from Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales. In January and February 2025 an additional five members joined the committee from Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria.
The Committee comprised Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), hearing health professionals, peak industry bodies, and employers, all of whom provided ongoing guidance and valuable input throughout the project.
Consultations were conducted between Monday 5th November 2024 to Friday 17th January 2025 using a mix of workshops, surveys, site visits, email submissions, and meetings with subject matter experts (SMEs).
- Online workshops and targeted interviews were held with employers, training providers, regulators, and practitioners from metropolitan and regional settings.
- Site visits provided opportunities to observe workplace practices and validate the relevance of skills.
- Written submissions and survey feedback captured a wide range of stakeholder perspectives.
This extensive consultation ensured that diverse industry views informed the review and that the final qualifications meet both workforce needs and training standards.
Key Outcomes of the Review
1. Training product templates
- Qualification and skill sets were subsequently updated to align with the 2025 template requirements.
2. HLT47425 Certificate IV in Audiometry
- Total number of units increased from 11 to 14 units of competency.
- Core units increased from 8 to 10 units of competency.
3. HLT57425 Diploma of Audiometry
- Total number of units reduced from 19 to 17 units of competency.
- Elective units reduced from 8 to 5 units of competency.
4. HLTAUD001 Asses hearing strategically divided into two distinct units:
- HLTAUD007 Conduct basic audiometric testing
- HLTAUD008 Conduct audiometric testing
5. HLTAUD005 Dispense hearing strategically divided into two distinct units:
- HLTAUD012 Prescribe, select and fit hearing devices
- HLTAUD013 Assist clients with management of hearing devices
6. HLTAUD006 Remove Cerumen
- recoded and renamed to HLTAUD014 Manage and remove cerumen
7. HLTAUD002 Conduct play audiometry
- recoded and renamed to HLTAUD009 Conduct audiometric screening for school age children
8. HLTSS00088 Allied Health Assistance - Audiometry Skill Set
- Superseded HLTSS00047 Audiometry Skill Set
- HLTAUD007 Conduct basic audiometric testing included in skill set
9. All units had edits to Performance Criteria (PC) and Knowledge Evidence (KE) for enhanced clarity.
Consultation
- 56 site visits conducted across regional facilities
- 10 meetings held: 5 face-to-face and 5 online
- 6 technical committee workshops
- 54 informed stakeholders engaged in the review and development of training package components
All feedback has been recorded and responded to in the consultation log. A summary of feedback from the Consultation stage and how it has been considered and addressed is included below.
Documents Submitted to the Assurance Body
Qualification
Units of Competency
Skill Sets
Companion Volume Implementation Guide
Supporting documents
- Training Product Submission Form – outlines the project activities, outcomes, and the training products proposed for endorsement.
- List of Training products for submission – details the specific training products submitted for endorsement.
- Consultation log – records stakeholder engagement and feedback, providing evidence to support the submission.
- Anti-Discrimination Assessment – documents the measures and considerations undertaken to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination requirements throughout the project.
June to August 2025
Please check back later for further information.