September to December 2024
The HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance qualification was last reviewed in 2015. Since then, there have been numerous changes in the technology and contemporary health practices undertaken in the health care and social assistance sector.
This sector is sensitive to policy settings and regulatory frameworks. Recent policy developments have focused on:
- migration
- gender pay gaps
- support for establishing clear employment pathways.
More flexible training products are required to respond to common skill requirements across occupations and areas requiring specific expertise.
The qualification review and upgrade are needed due to:
- increasing technology integration to streamline processes, improve patient care, and enhance efficiency, including:
o the use of electronic medical records
o automated patient monitoring systems
o robotics for tasks like transporting patients or delivering supplies
- growing emphasis on patient-centred care, which prioritises the patients' needs and preferences
- a shift towards delivering care in the home
- an increasing number of patients from diverse backgrounds requiring cultural competency and sensitivity to ensure effective care
- increasing complexity of care driven by factors such as chronic diseases, mental health issues, and multiple disabilities requiring a greater need for specialised skills and knowledge
- regulatory changes aimed at improving quality and safety which have mandated stricter compliance measures and enhanced training requirements for service providers
- an increased focus on workplace safety and occupational health including infection control.
The project outcomes will result in a qualification better aligned to industry needs and regulatory requirements with clear and sustainable career pathways to support growth in the industry.
Project Scope
This project will review one qualification and 25 units of competency that support training for the following occupations:
- Nurse’s Aide
- Operating Theatre Technician
- Orderly
- Patient support assistant
- Ward Assistant
- Ward Clerk
Qualification
Details of the HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance qualification and its units of competency can be seen at training.gov.au.
You can provide us with any initial feedback on the current qualification and associated units of competency by emailing details to the Training Product Project Manager or Project Coordinator.
Project governance and consultation strategy
We have established a Technical Committee (TC) of experts to provide advice for the project. TC members are selected for their relevant expertise on the diverse aspects of the project.
View the Terms of Reference and Technical Committee members.
View our Project Consultation Strategy.
Project fact sheet
The review and development of the HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance is now underway. This project will the ensure the qualification better equips graduates with the skills required to enter the workforce and navigate different career pathways across the healthcare sector.
Stakeholder input is important throughout this project. We are working with the Technical Committee and building on the functional analysis interviews and workshop findings to draft documents for broader consultation.
We welcome your feedback on any issues or challenges associated with this qualification during this drafting period.
Please email your comments to [email protected].
Thank you to everyone who attended an in-person or online consultation workshop for our Health Services Assistance Qualification Review.
We met with employers (small, medium, and large), industry experts, training providers (RTO managers and trainers) and more in Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Broken Hill, Darwin, Melbourne, Bairnsdale, Busselton, Perth and online between 18 March and 14 May 2025.
Health Services Assistance Qualification Review Workshop
Summary of Proposed Changes
The Health Services Assistance and Operating Theatre Technician qualifications are being reviewed to ensure they reflect current industry practices, emerging workforce needs, and contemporary models of care. The proposed updates aim to strengthen alignment with healthcare service delivery, clarify job role expectations, and enhance pathways for learners and employers.
View proposed changes
View draft Companion Volume Implementation Guide
Key changes include refined unit groupings, clearer delineation of work functions across qualification levels, and updated content to reflect best practice in patient support, infection prevention, and person-centred care. Two new technology-focused units have been introduced as part of the Operating Theatre Technician qualification, supporting learners in developing essential digital skills and competence with contemporary healthcare technologies.
Additionally, as part of this review, 2 maternity-related units of competency were externally developed for consideration for integration. A proposed change combined these units into a single ASK (Application of Skills and Knowledge) unit, streamlining learning while maintaining coverage of essential maternal and newborn health concepts. This ASK unit ensures learners can demonstrate knowledge and skills in recognising maternal and newborn wellbeing needs, understanding factors influencing health outcomes, and providing safe, person-centred support within their scope of practice.
Overall, the revisions focus on improving transferability across health settings and ensuring the qualifications remain relevant, accessible and responsive to evolving sector demands.
We invite you to provide feedback on the Health Services Assistance Draft Training Package by completing the following survey by Friday 28 November 2025.
Complete survey
A summary of the feedback received between 18 March, and 14 May 2025 is available in the consultation log.
Consultation log