Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to become an Allied Health Assistant.
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The Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance will train you to assist patients with their rehabilitation exercises that include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and conduct group sessions.
You'll work alongside health professionals such as physiotherapists, and occupational therapists to facilitate rehabilitation and to empower clients with strategies for daily living.
Allied health workers assist patients in carrying out routine physiotherapy exercises in groups or individually. Other roles include helping to implement general care and assisting with ongoing therapy. You will also support the implementation of care plans for a diverse range of clients to care for themselves and develop independent living skills.
Work is not limited to hospitals. You can also find employment in community health, rehabilitation centres or via home and special needs school visits.
Gain hands-on experience though clinical placements in settings such as hospitals and rehabilitation centres.
Work alongside health professionals and learn from industry-active educators ready to guide you through your studies.
Balance formal learning with vocational practice to build industry-relevant skills required to pursue a career as an Allied Health Assistant.
Discover a rewarding career and seize your opportunities for professional development with a qualification from RMIT.
*This is a Free TAFE priority course. Check your eligibility.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches, including, face-to-face classes, practical activities, blended learning, industry presentations, group discussions, clinical placements and syndicate work.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes knowledge tests, case studies, roleplay, reports, presentations, group projects, research projects, and practical assessments.
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
You'll be exposed to industry practices through clinical placements as part of your studies.
Placements can occur in hospitals, community settings, rehabilitation centres and special needs schools.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
The duration of the Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance is 1 year.
Full-time Semester 1 intake: 10 months duration. 3-4 days a week on-campus and 120 hours of clinical placement.
Semester 2 intake: 1 year duration. 3-4 days a week on-campus and 120 hours of clinical placement.
The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this certificate and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.
You’ll learn how to provide assistance to allied health professionals in various settings, and be introduced to:
You’ll also take complete clinical placements, generally conducted on a full-time basis.
As part of your physiotherapy studies, you’ll learn the practical skills to support treatments, including:
You’ll gain occupational therapy skills through rehabilitation studies, allowing you to:
You’ll also gain skills in cultural diversity and effectively responding to challenging behaviour within the workplace.
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.
The job prospects for allied health assistants are strong, with employment expected to grow consistently.
Jobs and Skills Australia projects that work opportunities for health therapy professionals are set to increase by 17.2% to 2028.
Graduates work in:
You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.
If you are successful in obtaining a place in this program, you must meet a number of professional compliance requirements upon commencement of your studies.
Please note: A full course of immunisations can take up to 7 months to complete, you should contact your medical practitioner prior to entering the program to commence immunisations. It is a requirement that you will have commenced all immunisations and will continue to progress this until completion of the vaccination courses by the deadlines set by the university.
Important: Additional immunisations may be required in response to changes in Government regulations or at the request of the placement host organisation.
Immunisation requirements will depend on the placement organisation. Students will need to check the immunisation requirements of the placement organisation before commencing their placements.
You will be required to undertake COVID19 Vaccination as part of this program. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
You will be required to undertake annual influenza vaccination as part of this program. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
You will be required to hold a Victorian Working with Children Check valid for 5 years, prior to undertaking clinical components as part of this program.
Note: For clinical components undertaken interstate a valid Working With Children Check for that state is required.
*All relevant screening and compliance check fees are the responsibility of the student.
You will be required to present evidence of a successful National police record check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program (this is an annual requirement for the duration of your program). Checks are conducted via fit2work. An account with fit2work will be created using your name and your RMIT issued student email address once studies in the program have commenced. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
Applicants will be required to apply for, and receive an acceptable NDIS Worker Screening Check prior to undertaking professional placement as part of this program.
Mask fit testing is a validated method to independently determine whether a specific make, model and size of mask achieves a proper fit to an individual’s face.
You will be required to present evidence of the completion of a mask fit test (fit test certificate or card), verifying the date of the mask fit test and the recommended respirator make/model specific to the individual student, prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program (this is an annual requirement for the duration of your program).
*All relevant screening and compliance check fees are the responsibility of the student.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, you can:
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.
To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Service
The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.
Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.
This course offers pathway options. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, a formal pathway might be your way in.
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the courses below.
For more information, explore our Pathway finder, or contact Study@RMIT.
The Victorian Government is currently waiving tuition fees for this program for students who meet eligibility requirements for government subsidised places.
Visit Free TAFE for priority courses for further information on what this means and whether you may be eligible.
If you have any questions you can contact Study@RMIT.
The tuition fees below will apply if you are not receiving a Free TAFE fee waiver.
The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.
The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
**The Victorian Government is currently waiving three (3) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and who have studied previously, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2024 is $351.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession or exemption if you are in a Victorian Government subsidised place and you meet the eligibility criteria.
If your application for a fee concession is approved, you will be charged 20% of the standard government subsidised tuition fee for your program. You will also be charged a lower rate on your student services and amenities fee (SSAF).
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.
