Sterilisation Services Qualification Review 

Endorsement and Implementation

The Sterilisation Services Qualification Review  examined HLT37015 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services and HLT47015 Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services qualifications, which had not been updated since 2015. The review aimed to ensure the qualifications reflect contemporary industry practices, strengthen workforce capability and equip graduates with the skills and knowledge to meet current and emerging needs in the health sector.

Following broad public and government consultation, a comprehensive consultation log and summary report were developed, providing clear evidence of industry support for the changes implemented. An anti-discrimination assessment was also conducted to ensure consultation processes and feedback mechanisms were inclusive, and that the language used in the training products does not discriminate, including consideration of any elements that may inadvertently lead to discriminatory outcomes.

The Companion Volume Implementation Guide (CVIG) was updated to support implementation and is complemented by a newly created Foundation Skills Companion Volume for the HLT Health Training Package Release 11.0.  

The final training products were submitted to the Skills Ministers for endorsement in August, supported by Senior Responsible Officers and the Training Package Assurance Body. These were endorsed by the Skills Ministers on XX September 2026 and published on the National Training Register on XX September 2026.

Submission documentation included an Anti-discrimination Assessment, Consultation Log and Summary Report have been published on the project webpage, providing evidence of industry support for the changes made. The Companion Volume Implementation Guide (CVIG) has also been updated to support implementation.

Summary of changes

All training products have been reviewed and updated based on a thorough analysis of feedback received throughout the consultation process from a wide range of stakeholder groups, including employers, training providers, peak bodies and subject matter experts. A detailed account of all the feedback received throughout the consultation process has been documented in a Consultation Log, including stakeholder comments, key themes and how these were considered in the review process.

Qualifications

HLT37026 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services has been reviewed with the following changes made:

• updated core and elective units
• updated qualification description
• overall number of units increased from 14 to 16 with the addition of 2 core units
• additional units added to elective bank
• elective bank extended adding additional units
• foundation skills summary added to the qualification

HLT47026 Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services has been reviewed with the following changes made:

• core units reduced from 11 to 7
• overall reduction of total number of units from 15 to 11 units
• duplication of units between the Certificate III and IV in Sterilisation Services removed
• foundation skills summary added to the qualification

Units of Competency

• Foundation skills have been made explicit in all Sterilisation Services units
• Major changes made to:
  
  • HLTSTE009 Clean reusable medical devices
  • HLTSTE010 Disinfect reusable medical devices
  • HLTATE011 Inspect, assemble and package reusable medical devices
  • HLTSTE012 Sterilise reusable medical devices
  • HLTSTE013 Handle, transport and store reusable medical devices
  • HLTSTE014 Care and maintain reusable medical devices
  • HLTSTE015 Monitor and maintain reprocessing equipment
  • HLTSTE016 Monitor quality of reprocessing for reusable medical devices

Consultation summary

Throughout this project, many individuals generously volunteered their time, insights and expertise. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to its development. This work was informed by extensive consultation with stakeholders across the sector. A number of mechanisms were used throughout the project to inform the development and finalisation of the revised training products.

All feedback has been captured and responded to. You can view a summary of feedback, outlining the broad themes and responses.

Professional Development

To assist with implementation, we will run 3 virtual professional development workshops (register below) on the features of the new sterilization services training products. A recording of one of these sessions will be made available on the project webpage for future reference.

Endorsed and published documents

Qualifications

• HLT37026 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services
• HLT47026 Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services

Units of Competency

• HLTSTE009 Clean reusable medical devices
• HLTSTE010 Disinfect reusable medical devices
• HLTSTE011 Inspect, assemble and package reusable medical devices
• HLTSTE012 Sterilise reusable medical devices
• HLTSTE013 Handle, transport and store reusable medical devices
• HLTSTE014 Care and maintain reusable medical devices
• HLTSTE015 Monitor and maintain reprocessing equipment
• HLTSTE016 Monitor quality of reprocessing for reusable medical devices

Supporting documentation

Key project submission documentation:

• Training Product Submission Form
• Consultation Log
• Anti-discrimination Assessment

Additional documents referenced in the Submission Form:

• Technical Committee Terms of Reference
• Consultation Strategy
• Functional Analysis

Finalisation and Submission

The Sterilisation Services Qualification Review  focused on updating qualifications to reflect current industry practices, improve career pathways and enhance the safety and quality of training to meet today's industry requirements and anticipate future challenges.

Sterilisation services play a vital role in the reprocessing of reusable medical devices in health and non-health related facilities. They encompass cleaning, disinfecting, inspecting, packaging and sterilisation of medical devices.

The HLT37015 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services and HLT47015 Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services qualifications have been updated to reflect:

• advances in technology
• changes to relevant standards
• updated terminology
• graduate workforce requirements
• required quality assurance activities.

Qualifications and units reviewed

The review included the:

• HLT37015 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services to cover current reprocessing competencies
• HLT47015 Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services to cover advanced competencies, including complex reprocessing tasks, supervision, management and quality assurance activities.

Units reviewed included core competencies in:

• cleaning, disinfection, inspection, packaging and processing reusable medical devices
• tracking and traceability of reusable medical devices
• workplace health, safety and regulatory compliance
• supervisory and management skills.

Summary of consultations

We extend our sincere thanks to all individuals who generously contributed their time and expertise to this project. At the beginning of the project, a Technical Committee of 10 members was established, with representation from Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. Members represented registered training organisations, unions, peak bodies, employers and subject matter experts. The committee provided ongoing guidance, industry insight and valuable input throughout the project.

Project consultations were conducted between 8 July 2025 to 21 November 2025 using a mix of workshops, surveys and email submissions.

Online workshops were conducted on 27 August, 17 September, 24 September, and 1 October 2025. Stakeholders were also invited to provide input via surveys and written submissions. Respondents included employers, professional associations, training providers, regulators and practitioners from metropolitan and regional settings.

A validation round of consultation was held from Friday 20 February until Friday 13 March 2026.

This extensive consultation ensured that the review was informed by diverse industry perspectives.

Key outcomes of the review

1. Training product templates: qualifications were updated to align with the 2025 template requirements

2. HLT37026 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services:

• the total number of units required to achieve the qualification increased from 14 to 16
• core units increased from 10 to 12

3. HLT47026 Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services:

• the total number of units required to achieve the qualification reduced from 15 to 11
• core units reduced from 11 to 7
• entry requirements added

4. All units had edits to Performance Criteria and Knowledge Evidence for enhanced clarity.

5. Some units had minor changes to their assessment conditions.

Consultation

• 12 meetings took place: 8 face-to-face and 4 online
• 7 technical committee meetings
• 74 informed stakeholders engaged in the review and development of training package components

All feedback has been recorded and responded to in the Consultation log. Below you can view a summary of feedback from the consultation stage and how it has been considered and addressed.

Consultation

We invited registered training organisations, educational experts, subject matter experts, industry bodies, unions, employers,  providers, employers, First Nations people and other relevant people to attend a consultation workshop for the Sterilisation Services Qualification review. The workshops were to help us:

• understand industry changes and the skills, knowledge, practice and requirements needed for Certificate III and Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services qualifications
• understand current challenges, gaps, opportunities and potential solutions
• identify and inform changes for the qualifications, units of competency and skill sets
• identify functions that are common across all settings/specific settings and pathways within the sector
• gain advice on the development of resources, guidance on delivery and pathways information.

Following an online information session (27/08/25), face-to-face workshops were held in Darwin (09/09/25), Brisbane (11/09/25). Perth (14/10/25), Adelaide (16/10/25), Sydney (21/10/25), Canberra (23/10/25), Melbourne (28/10/25) and Hobart (30/10/25) and we also held online workshops (17/10/25, 24/10/25, 01/10/25). For those who missed out on a workshop, our online survey about proposed changes to the HLT37015 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services and HLT47015 Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services qualifications remained open until Friday 21 November 2025.

Summary of Proposed Changes

The sterilisation services qualifications are being updated to ensure they reflect current industry standards, technologies, and workforce expectations. The proposed changes strengthen alignment with infection prevention principles, quality assurance practices, and contemporary reprocessing methods for reusable medical devices.

Key updates include revised unit groupings, clearer role delineation across qualification levels, and refreshed content that supports safe, compliant, and efficient sterilisation service delivery. The review also focuses on improving career progression pathways, enhancing workforce capability, and ensuring qualifications remain relevant to the evolving needs of healthcare facilities and regulatory frameworks.

We invited you to provide feedback on the Sterilisation Services Qualifications via survey which closed on Friday 21 November 2025.

Validation

We appreciate your enthusiastic and positive engagement during the consultation and validation period. Overall, 1,359 items of feedback were received via in person and online consultation workshops, site visits, multiple surveys and emails. All responses have been carefully considered, analysed and integrated into the training products in consultation with Project Technical Committee before draft training products were updated.

Please view our Consultation Log: Post Validation which contains a high-level summary of all feedback, proposed changes and actions taken with justification provided for feedback which was considered but not actioned. The training products have now been submitted to Senior Responsible Officers in each state and territory and the federal government for review.

The Consultation Summary Report outlines all the consultation activities undertaken as part of the project, the decisions taken and updates to qualifications and units of competency.

Development

We are committed to developing training products that meet industry standards and enhance workforce readiness by identifying gaps and opportunities in sterilisation services skills development.

Our Sterilisation Services Functional Analysis Report provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse roles, functions and skills required across sterilisation services, including health service organisations. It outlines the key competencies required to meet industry expectations and supports workforce development by exploring nationally endorsed training pathways for sterilisation services professionals.

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 sterilisation services and to identify emerging trends in infection control, equipment handling and compliance with health and safety standards.

For the interviews, we engaged with employers, peak bodies, registered training organisations, and subject matter experts in sterilisation services 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 sterilisation services workplaces, from preparing and maintaining sterile reusable medical devices and other items to monitoring compliance with protocols and supporting surgical teams.

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 sterilisation services sector.

Set Up

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.
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Qualifications and Units of Competency

Currently there are 2 qualifications and 8 units of competency specific to sterilisation services. A feedback survey on these items was available until Wednesday 13 August 2025.