Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
Develop the essential skills and clinical knowledge needed to work in a dynamic allied health environment with Mater Education's Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance.
Upon completion, you’ll be qualified to work in a range of allied health environments with two units focused on you assisting physiotherapists.
You will be taught by expert clinicians and educators who will help you learn through a practical, problem-solving approach.
The Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance program includes 120 hours of work experience placement, where you’ll have the opportunity to practice your knowledge in a real healthcare environment. This nationally recognised qualification will provide therapeutic and program related support activities under the guidance of allied health professionals.
This qualification is approved for the Queensland Government's Higher Level Skills program. To be eligible for the Higher Level Skills program, you must meet eligibility criteria. For more information on the available funding options and criteria go to the Costs section on this page.
Course information
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Mater Education wants everyone enrolled into the program to have every opportunity to succeed at their study. Our program is dynamic and delivered in a way that caters to all learning styles.
When applications are open, you will need to complete an online application including:
- Addressing the following three criteria:
- What motivates you to pursue a career in healthcare at this time?
- Why do you think the Mater Education program would suit you?
- How do you plan to balance your life, work and full-time study commitments while undertaking the allied health assistance program?
- details of your work history and voluntary experience
- details of any prior education, including copies of any qualifications, statements of attainment or a transcript of completed study and/or your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education awarded for the completion of year 12.
Selection
Applicants that address the defined criteria as published and whose answers are clear and informative will progress to the next stage.
- To set you up for success, we'll ask you to undergo a language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) evaluation before starting the program. The LLN evaluation will give us an insight into your reading, writing and numeracy skills, and help us plan any extra support you may need to succeed in the program.
- Applicants who display competence at or above Exit Level 2 in the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) across all five core skills of learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy will be invited to an interview.
To be an allied health services assistant you need to be responsible, physically fit, mentally alert and practical. You also need to be able to carry out all of the physical activities that are a part of caring for someone.Certificates and permits
Obtain a criminal history check prior to workplace experience placement.
Students who complete their workplace experience placement in a child related area, will also be required to obtain a Blue Card. This is free for students and will be discussed at the interview stage.
If you have any questions about Blue Card requirements, please contact us.
Immunisations
You also need to provide proof of immunity (or that you’ve started vaccination) for the following communicable diseases:
- Hepatitis B
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Seasonal vaccinations (influenza) as required.
Resources
Students will require access to a reliable internet connection enabling access to Mater Education’s virtual learning environment, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Flash Player.
- Addressing the following three criteria:
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Full Fee-paying student—$6,990
View the schedule of fees for students in 2023.
View the schedule of fees for students in 2024.
Government funding
Eligible students will be able to apply for Higher Level Skills funding (funded by the Queensland Government). Payment plans are available for full fee paying students (students not receiving Queensland Government funding).
Higher Level Skills provides a government subsidy to eligible Queenslanders with the aim to assist individuals gain the higher level skills required to secure employment or career advancement in a priority industry, or to transition to university. To be eligible for the Higher Level Skills funded by the Queensland Government you must meet eligibility criteria.
Higher Level Skills Subsidy non-concessional students: $793
Higher Level Skills Subsidy concessional students: $169
To be eligible for Higher Level Skills funding you must meet the following criteria:
- prospective students must not have, or be enrolled in, a certificate IV or higher-level qualification, not including qualifications completed at school and foundations skills training
- be 15 years or older
- have completed or left secondary school
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident residing in Queensland, or New Zealand citizen permanently residing in Queensland (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency.
Students may be entitled to the concession fee if they are meet eligibility requirements for subsidised training, and:
- are listed on an Australian Government Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card,
- are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander,
- hold a Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card, or
- have a disability.
For more information on Queensland Government funding, visit:
Students will no longer be eligible for a government subsidised training place under the Higher Level Skills program once they have completed one certificate IV level or higher qualification (see Higher Level Skills FAQs).
Tertiary Access Payment
Students may also be able to access Tertiary Access Payment, a payment to help with the cost of moving from regional or remote areas for tertiary study. To find out more, visit the Services Australia website.
Additional costs
As part of your enrolment you will need to buy:
- Mater Education Uniform shirt (approximately $60 - $80 per shirt)
- Closed-in black shoes
- Black business pants or knee-length black skirt (preferably with pockets)
- Criminal history check 'Fit2Work' ($29)
- Any additional vaccinations you may require
- Laptop or portable device with internet access
Cancellation and refund policy.
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This course is delivered over six months. Classes are delivered through a hybrid delivery, including both:
- Campus: Onsite at Mater Education campus (Two days per week*).
- Online: Theory sessions and tutorials delivered online (est. 10 hours per week).
Within these modes, a range of class styles are utilised, including classroom work, group discussions, tutorials, online videos, online sessions and practical simulation events.
Training times
- Mater Education delivers classes between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm.
- Classes are typically between Monday to Friday.
- Students will be provided with a timetable for each term to assist in planning ahead for their training upon commencement.
Class timetables
View the indicative timetables and study expectation for students commencing study in:
Want to find out more about this course
Work experience placement
Mater Education has a dedicated placement team who will make arrangements for your mandatory placement as part of this program. You can undertake workplace experience placement in specialties including:
- physiotherapy
- occupational therapy
- social work
- speech pathology.
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