We’re undertaking a review of the HLT37015 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services and HLT47015 Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services qualifications to align with current industry needs, regulatory requirements, the latest technology and sustainable career pathways to support existing and future growth in the industry.

 

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Sterilisation technicians are a vital part of the health care and social assistance sectors and play a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness and sterility of medical instruments and equipment, which is essential for patient safety.

The HLT37015 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services and HLT47015 Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services qualifications were last reviewed in 2015. Since then, current practice, standards and technology have evolved significantly. This project aims to align training with updated regulatory and safety requirements, including AS5369:2023, and to help create clearer career pathways and improve course content and consistency to ensure training supports the existing and future workforce.   

This is a 12-month project that is expected to be completed by June 2026.

Project Scope

We will review 2 qualifications and 8 units of competency that support training for the following occupations:

  • instrument technician
  • sterilisation assistant
  • sterilisation technician
  • Central Sterilisation Service Department supervisor
  • senior instrument technician
  • sterilisation supervisor.

Typically, sterilisation technicians clean, sterilise, and package surgical instruments and other hospital equipment. Their work is critical for infection control and patient safety in healthcare facilities.

Qualifications and Units of Competency

Currently there are 2 qualifications and 8 units of competency specific to sterilisation services. You are invited to provide feedback on these current training products by completing surveys.

Qualifications
Units of Competency

Complete survey

  

Project Governance and Consultation Strategy

We are currently establishing a Technical Committee of members selected for their relevant expertise on the diverse aspects of the project.

Project fact sheet

View the Terms of Reference and Technical Committee members.

Our Project Consultation Strategy has been finalised and is available to download.

July 2025

Information gathering activities will be undertaken to prepare drafts units of competency, qualifications and skill sets for national stakeholder consultations. These include:

  • a Technical Committee meeting to source stakeholders to consult on qualifications content, for insight on communication and consultation strategies, and to provide technical knowledge of the skills required to meet the desired vocational outcomes
  • 16 one-on-one employer interviews to determine the skills required in their organisations, career pathways for workers and focused changes in their sector in the foreseeable future. These will include employers from small, medium and large employers
  • an online functional analysis workshop with industry stakeholders from all Australian jurisdictions to determine skill commonalities and differences. This will assist in determining core and elective components of the draft qualifications
  • desktop research used to gather publicly available information on industry standards, working conditions and employer recruitment selection criteria.
 
September 2025 to November 2025

Details to come.

 
December 2025 to February 2026

Details to come.

 
March 2026 to April 2026

Details to come.

 

How to get involved

We encourage stakeholder participation from all relevant sectors across Australia. Please register to recieve project updates and consultation opportunities.

Project updates

Contact details

To contact the project team, please email [email protected].

 

Project timeline

  • Project Set Up

    Establish a Technical Committee to provide expert advice for the project.

  • Development

    Functional analysis undertaken via 16 employer interviews and a virtual functional analysis workshop.

    Development of draft qualifications, skill sets and units of competency.

  • Consultation

    Draft qualification and units of competency published.

    Delivery of 8 in person workshops and 3 virtual workshops.

    Consultation log published.

  • Finalisation and Submission

    Final draft materials will be submitted to Skills Senior Responsible Officers and any feedback will be addressed prior to submission to the Skills Ministers for endorsement.

  • Endorsement and Implementation

    Endorsed qualifications, skill sets and units of competency will be uploaded onto the VET National Training Register. The Companion Volume will be updated to reflect changes to the Training Package, identified pathways information and mapping information.

    Delivery of 3 virtual professional development workshops to highlight the features of the new qualifications, skill sets and units of competency.