Working in the health industry is rewarding, flexible and motivating. Every day is different, with a vast array of patients and health professionals working together with each other.
The Certificate III in Health Services Assistance HLT33115 has no entry requirements and is a nationally recognised qualification that will open up the opportunity for you to gain entry level employment working as an assistant in nursing, nursing support worker or patient support worker. This qualification provides you with the skills and knowledge to support professionals such as doctors and nurses in ensuring that health services function effectively when delivering care to patients and clients.
As a nursing assistant you’ll provide support to clients according to their care plan and under the supervision of a health professional. You’ll learn how to perform patient observations, how to work effectively with culturally diverse clients and how to use medical terminology. After completing this course you could work in aged care facilities, hospitals, clinics, private medical practices and home and community care services. The program offers electives to cater to specific work functions including assisting in nursing and working in acute care.
Learn New Skills Including:
Please advise our Training Coordinator at your initial telephone or personal meeting if you require additional support in your learning. This will allow a support plan to be devised before you commence your course.
This qualification can be completed through a traineeship pathway. Please contact Nadia Louw on 9970 1008 or email nadia@nbmc.nsw.edu.au for further information.. New entrant traineeship course cost is currently fee free.
This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must demonstrate competency and successfully complete:
15 units of competency
Once successfully completed the student will receive the nationally recognised industry qualification – HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Assisting in nursing work in acute care) and a First Aid Certificate.
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| CHCCOM005 | Communicate and work in health or community services |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
| HLTAAP001 | Recognise healthy body systems |
| HLTWHS001 | Participate in workplace health and safety |
| BSBMED301 | Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately |
| BSBWOR301 | Organise personal work priorities and development |
| HLTINF006 | Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control |
We have selected the following electives which meet industry requirements
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| HLTAID001 | Provide first aid |
| CHCCCS012 | Prepare and maintain beds |
| CHCCCS002 | Assist with movement |
| CHCCCS020 | Respond effectively to behaviours of concern |
| CHCCCS026 | Transport individuals |
| HLTAIN001 | Assist with nursing care in an acute care environment |
| HLTAIN002 | Provide non-client contact support in an acute care environment |
| CHCMHS001 | Work with people with mental health issues |
Electives – 1 elective to be chosen by student
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
| CHCMHS001 | Work with people with mental health issues |
If you have a specific elective in mind which is not listed above, please let us know in your interview process.
Northern Beaches & Mosman College recognises that you may be able to demonstrate a particular competency based on prior learning, skills gained in the workforce, or skills otherwise gained.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) can be granted if you can demonstrate competency in all the performance criteria in the elements of a particular unit of competency (from a training package) or all the learning outcomes in a particular module (from an accredited course).
If you think you may be eligible for RPL in a prospective course, please contact the College for an initial discussion as to your suitability at least 2 weeks before the course commences, or for late enrolments, you must advise the Training Coordinator on enrolment. Students then have 3 weeks to lodge a fully completed application with all supporting documentation. Supporting and current evidence must be submitted with your application. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the evidence to support their claim for RPL. As RPL must be considered and assessed through one-on-one interaction between the applicant and assessor, the course fee remains the same (unless otherwise determined by a funding contract).
Applications received after this time will not be considered. Please be aware, if any of the training for units of competency for which you are applying for RPL are delivered while your application is still being considered, it is strongly recommended that you attend the related classes as we cannot guarantee that your application for RPL will be successful. As a guide the process will take between 2 and 4 weeks once your application has been submitted.
Steps in the RPL Assessment Process
If you decide you would like to investigate the possibility of RPL further:
Step 1 – Request a formal RPL Application Pack from NBMC
The pack will include an application form and details of the units of competency and competency skills required within the relevant qualification. The application must be fully completed with as much supporting documentation as possible before being returned to NBMC. Ensure that all the evidence that you provide is relevant to the units of competency for which you are applying for RPL. The more comprehensive the evidence is, the easier and faster the assessment process will be. You have 3 weeks on receiving the application to complete and return it to NBMC.
Step 2 – Conversation with Assessor
If required, the assessor will conduct a competency conversation with you. You will be required to answer questions related to the industry area to identify your current skills.
Step 3 – Practical demonstration of your skills
If required, the assessor will conduct a practical skills test at your workplace (if appropriate) or at another suitable venue. This, again, is an opportunity to demonstrate your level of competence. This assessment will be focussed on skills that are required in the qualification. Your assessor will identify the skills that he/she will want you to demonstrate.
Further steps
After the assessment, your assessor will give you information about the skills that have been recognised and whether you have gained any of units of competency applied for through RPL.
Northern Beaches & Mosman College recognises Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by other Registered Training Organisations (RTO) where the Training Package guidelines allow it.
If you have a current qualification from another RTO that you wish to seek credit for (towards a course offered by NBMC) you can apply to the College for recognition of this achievement, including Credit Transfer where appropriate. You will be required to give permission to NBMC to verify the authenticity of the qualifications provided by contacting the issuing Registered Training Organisation or by checking your Unique Student Identifier records.
You must make this application within one week of the commencement of the course.
Credit Transfer may only be awarded for whole units of competence that meet the packaging rules of the Qualification they are enrolled in. Where a mapping guide identified a partial credit, this will not be considered for credit transfer, and the applicant will be advised to seek RPL.
There are many pathways you can follow into more specified fields of nursing once you gain this entry level qualification. The Certificate III in Health Services Assistance provides a clear pathway to the Diploma of Nursing which can then lead to a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.
From 1 January 2015 it is a requirement of the Federal Government that all students undertaking nationally recognised training will need to obtain a Unique Student Identifier (USI). This involves an easy online application. See USI Fact Sheet for information on how to apply for a USI go to the Unique Student Identifier (USI) Website for additional information. Please ensure when completing your enrolment information, that the details relating to your name are identical to those on the identification evidence (eg passport or driver’s licence) used when creating your USI, eg no abbreviations or nicknames should be used. Once created, it is important that you keep a record of your USI and access to your accredited training records in a safe place. You will need this information for any future enrolments into accredited training in Australia. Please contact the College on 9970 1000 if you require assistance.
All NBMC Trainers/Assessors are current industry professionals with the required qualifications to deliver and assess this course. Trainers draw upon and share their own experiences in the industry to ensure that the training delivered to you is current and relevant. For information about individual trainers, please click on the trainer name in the class details below for the trainer’s bio.
Enjoy smaller class sizes, a personalised relationship with your trainer, face-to face teaching sessions and qualifications that may include real life work experience, when you choose to study at Northern Beaches & Mosman College. (NBMC)
With classes available across the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore in Brookvale and Mosman, the College offers increasing numbers of accredited and vocational qualifications. Students include those looking to upskill, to change career direction and school leavers keen to step onto a career pathway. Courses on offer can lead directly to employment and/or go towards future learning opportunities.
If you meet the above criteria, along with the Course Entry Requirements, you can apply to study this course at a subsidised price (includes course resources but students are responsible for the cost of obtaining a police check). Subsidised places are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
The fee amount you pay and the government contribution depends upon your eligibility. The courses are subsidised for all eligible participants with a further concession rate available for those in receipt of some Commonwealth benefits. Fee free scholarships may also be available for the following:
Terms and conditions of enrolment (including withdrawals, refunds and deferrals) under Smart and Skilled at NBMC are contained in the Smart and Skilled Student Information booklet and NBMC Student Handbook both of which are available at Smart and Skilled. Important information regarding all aspects of your enrolment at NBMC can also be found here.
For further information please contact the College on 9970 1000.
| Title | Fee |
| Exempt | $0 |
| Concession | $240 |
| If no prior post school qualification | $1600 |
| If a post school qualification has previously been completed | $1930 |
| Not Eligible for Smart & Skilled | $7000 |
This training is subsidised by the NSW Government under the Smart & Skilled Training Program.
Skilling for Recovery is a NSW Government initiative to deliver JobTrainer funding in NSW. It provides free certificate, diploma and short course training to eligible applicants.
Payment options for this course are as follows:
*Enrolment instalment is payable on acceptance into the course.
Note: If not eligible for Smart and Skilled, payment will be by instalments of no more than $1500. Please contact the College for payment options.
Below are our available intakes to the HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Assisting in nursing work in acute care). Select the intake you wish to enrol into and complete the Online Enrolment Form
| Name | Course Start Date | Course End Date | Apply |
| 2025 Term 3 - Mon & Wed 6pm to 9pm - Brookvale Campus | 28/07/2025 | 28/01/2026 | Click here |
Find out if you are eligible for Government Funding with our easy to using Funding Eligibility Calculator.
If you have any questions related to the HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Assisting in nursing work in acute care) please enquire here. Alternatively you can email one of our course-cordinators here
Northern Beaches Community College Ltd t/a Northern Beaches & Mosman College. Nationally accredited qualifications, work & computer skills, lifestyle RTO ID 90113
