What does "under delegation" mean?

An allied health professional assigns specific tasks within your scope of practice and remains responsible for the clinical outcome. Supervision may be direct, indirect or remote - the register is explicit about that - but the delegation relationship is what defines the role.

Which discipline will I be qualified for?

That depends on the five electives. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nutrition and podiatry assistance are separate elective streams. Ask a provider which they deliver.

Is this the same as health services assistance?

No. HLT33115 Health Services Assistance is hospital and clinic support - wards, theatres, patient services. HLT33021 is allied health specifically, working under delegation from therapy professionals.

Do I need immunisations or a police check?

Almost always, and health employers require them before placement. These are set by employers and health departments, not by the qualification.

What does it cost and how long does it take?

Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register. Clinical placement usually applies.

HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance

About this qualification

HLT33021 is for people supporting physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and other allied health professionals. The register describes “a new worker wanting to become an Allied Health Assistant and gain entry to the aged care, disability and other health sectors”.

The defining phrase is delegation. Assistance is provided “under the delegation and supervision of Allied Health Professionals”, and supervision “may be direct, indirect or remote, according to the individual Allied Health Assistant's scope of practice and experience”. That is a specific professional relationship, not general supervision.

Twelve units, seven core. HLTAHA027 Assist with an allied health program and HLTAHA049 Recognise impact of health conditions are the two that make it allied health rather than general care.

The five electives are where it points at a discipline — physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nutrition or podiatry assistance are all separate elective streams.

Roles it maps to

Roles described on the national register for HLT33021.

Allied Health Assistant Therapy Assistant Physiotherapy Assistant Occupational Therapy Assistant

Where it sits

Where HLT33021 sits in the health package.

Certificate IIIHLT33115 Health Services Assistance
Certificate III · you are hereHLT33021 Allied Health Assistance
DiplomaHLT54121 Nursing
Certificate IV · related fieldCHC43015 Ageing Support

What it covers

7Core units

5Elective units

Twelve units in total. At least four electives from the listed bank, with up to one from any endorsed training package or accredited course, provided it is relevant to the work outcome.

The 7 core units, required by everyone:

BSBMED301 Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
HLTAHA027 Assist with an allied health program
HLTAHA049 Recognise impact of health conditions
HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety

For a full list of elective units, visit training.gov.au →

Frequently asked questions

What does “under delegation” mean?: An allied health professional assigns specific tasks within your scope of practice and remains responsible for the clinical outcome. Supervision may be direct, indirect or remote — the register is explicit about that — but the delegation relationship is what defines the role.
Which discipline will I be qualified for?: That depends on the five electives. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nutrition and podiatry assistance are separate elective streams. Ask a provider which they deliver.
Is this the same as health services assistance?: No. HLT33115 Health Services Assistance is hospital and clinic support — wards, theatres, patient services. HLT33021 is allied health specifically, working under delegation from therapy professionals.
Do I need immunisations or a police check?: Almost always, and health employers require them before placement. These are set by employers and health departments, not by the qualification.
What does it cost and how long does it take?: Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register. Clinical placement usually applies.

Other registered providers

Filtered by where each provider is based, not where they can deliver.

NSW

TAFE NSWRTO 90003

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

TAFE QueenslandRTO 0275

Deliver and assess · QLD
WA

North Metropolitan TAFERTO 52786

Deliver and assess · WA
QLD

Axial TrainingRTO 2437

Deliver and assess · National
WA

Insight Training Group AustraliaRTO 32142

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

National College of AustraliaRTO 45361

Deliver and assess · National
TAS

Guilford Young CollegeRTO 1129

Deliver and assess · TAS
QLD

Aurora Training Institute Pty LtdRTO 32237

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Australian Institute of Professional CounsellorsRTO 0670

Deliver and assess · National
NSW

Celtic Training and Consultancy Pty LtdRTO 40179

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

The Da'Vange GroupRTO 45241

Deliver and assess · National
WA

West Australian Institute of Further Studies Pty LtdRTO 52128

Deliver and assess · National
Find more providers

12 of 78 providers shown — search the register for the rest
training.gov.au →

More in Health

Other qualifications in the HLT training package, nearest level first.

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Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance

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