Allied Health Assistant Courses

What is an Allied Health Assistant?

Allied Health Assistants provide support to health care professionals such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech pathologists. Their duties include caring for patients, managing appointments, creating reports, and sometimes visiting patients off-sites for treatment follow-ups. Allied Health Assistants usually work in rehabilitation centres, care facilities, medical centres, and acute hospital wards. They also carry out home visits for clients when necessary.  

What do Allied Health Assistants do? 

Allied Health Assistants provide support and implement programs devised for clients by allied health professionals. 

The term ‘allied health’ refers to health professionals that are not doctors, nurses, or midwives. They may be physiotherapists, social workers, podiatrists, or occupational therapists. These health professionals are often extremely busy and require the aid of an assistant to manage their duties to clients. This is where Allied Health Assistants come in. 

The daily duties of an Allied Health Assistant can vary widely depending on their place of work and the health sector they are assisting in. Their duties may include: 

• Organising and filing patient reports 
• Monitoring patients’ health status 
• Carrying out administrative tasks for health professionals 
• Assisting clients with exercise and rehabilitation programs 
• Providing personal hygiene care for clients 
• Ensuring clients are eating a healthy diet 
• Adjusting and fitting aids and rehabilitation equipment 
• Providing daily support for allied health professionals 

How much you can earn after Allied Health Assistant courses

The average salary for Allied Health Assistants is $57,000 per year or $28 per hour. The amount you earn as an Allied Health Assistant will vary depending on your experience and the health sector you choose to work in. A high pay range is around $68,000 per year. 

How do I become an Allied Health Assistant?

To become an Allied Health Assistant, you must complete a Certificate III or IV in Allied Health Assistance. The Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance can be completed in under 12 months and includes 80 hours of work placement. 

The Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance can be specialised in the health sector you would like to work in, for example speech pathology or physiotherapy, providing you extra skills and a good understanding of medical terminology in that field. The Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance can be completed in less than 12 months and includes 120 hours of work placement. 

Allied Health Assistance courses are offered by TAFE as well as private colleges. You can study these courses online at your own pace, with work placements carried out in person to provide valuable practical experience on the field.

Allied Health Assistant course online

You can earn the Certificate III or IV in Allied Health Assistance online. All you need is a working computer with internet access. However, you must undertake your work placement in person. 

Browse our online marketplace to find an online Allied Health Assistant course from leading educational institutions in Australia and start earning your nationally recognised qualification today. 

Allied Health Assistant course Australia

To become an Allied Health Assistant in Australia you must complete a nationally recognised Certificate III or Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance. These courses can be studied online or at a TAFE near you. 

These certifications prepare you for various roles assisting an allied health professional, including physiotherapists, speech pathologists, dieticians, and more. 

How long does it take to finish the Allied Health Assistant course

Allied Health Assistance courses are self-paced and can be completed in your own time, though usually the maximum duration will be either 12 months, 18 months, or 24 months depending on the college, level, and specialisation. 

The Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance takes up to 12 months to complete. You also need to undertake 80 hours of work placement. The Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance also takes 12 months to complete and requires 120 hours of work placement. 

How much does the Allied Health Assistant course cost?

The cost of a Certificate III or Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance will depend on the institution and payment method you use. You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,299 up to $17,000. Many institutions offer payment plans and may even offer a discount for some students. It’s always helpful to enquire when enrolling. 

What makes being an Allied Health Assistant a good career choice?

Supporting an allied health professional in their daily tasks is a very rewarding experience. Here are some reasons why being an Allied Health Assistant is a great career choice. 

Job Security

Allied Health Professionals account for more than 25% of Australia’s healthcare industry. More than 200 million health services are provided by allied health each year, and there is significant demand for allied health assistants as a result. Whether you choose to work in mental health, aged care, physiotherapy, or another health sector, you can enjoy job security as these positions will remain in demand. 

Attractive Salaries

Although the amount of money you earn as an Allied Health Assistant will vary depending on the sector and your experience, you can still expect to earn an attractive salary. The average Allied Health Assistant can earn up to $57,000 per year or $28 per hour. The specialisation you choose to go in can allow you to earn even more, for example, working in occupational therapy offers a higher salary than exercise physiology. 

Gratifying Work

The greatest benefit of working in allied health is that it is an extremely rewarding experience. You are helping people live a better life and enriching their daily experience with your support and care. If you love to work with other people, you will greatly enjoy a career as an Allied Health Assistant. Even small efforts can make a big difference in someone’s life and there is no greater reward than seeing the real appreciation on your client’s face. 

Flexible Schedules

Many Allied Health Assistants enjoy a flexible schedule that can fit into your lifestyle. This makes it an excellent career choice for people who enjoy work life balance or have families to look after. Many students even begin working part time or full time while pursuing their Allied Health Assistance qualification. 

Best Online Allied Healthcare Courses to Pursue

There are many online Allied Healthcare courses to choose from depending on the field you are interested in working in. These courses are self paced and equip you with the knowledge you need to take on diverse roles in the allied health industry, including working with physiotherapists, dieticians, community rehabilitation, and speech pathology. 

Browse our online marketplace to view Allied Health Assistance courses including… 

Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance – HLT33015

This online course prepares you for work as an Allied Health Assistant. You will learn work practices for direct client care, how to interpret and apply medical terminology, work with diverse people, and manage legal and ethical compliance. Upon completion, you can choose to work in various roles including assisting with physiotherapy, medical imaging, and occupational therapy. There is an 80 hour work placement required with this course. 

Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetics Specialisation) –  HLT43015

This course is for people who want to work in Nutrition and Dietetics. It is more specialised than the general Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance and covers topics such as dietary guidelines, supporting food services, planning meals,and more. There is a 120 hour work placement required for this course. 

Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Community Rehabilitation) – HLT43015

​​This course provides the fundamental knowledge and skills to become a qualified community rehabilitation assistant (CRA). With this certification you can help people recover from illness or injury under the supervision of an allied health professional. 

Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Occupational Therapy) – HLT43015

This course is for those who are interested in specialising in occupational therapy. You will learn how to fit and adjust assistive equipment, provide first aid, and maintain client functional status. This course requires 120 hours of work placement. 

Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy) – HLT43015

This course equips you with the tools to enjoy a career as a Physiotherapy Assistant. You will learn how to deliver physiotherapy programs, assist clients with movement, and provide basic first aid. This course requires 120 hours of work placement. 

Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Speech Pathology)  -HLT43015

This course allows you to assist Speech Pathologists and help treat people with hearing loss and speech difficulties. You will learn how to provide support in dysphagia management, assist in using augmentative communication systems, and support clients in developing their speech and communication skills. This course includes 120 hours of work placement. 

Understanding the challenges in Allied Health

Every career field comes with perks as well as challenges. Allied health is no exception. These are some challenges you may encounter in your career as an Allied Health Assistant. 

Staying patient in a demanding environment

Allied health can be a very demanding field as you have to work with people with unique needs. It requires patience and understanding. Some patients may be difficult and unexplained problems may arise that you will have to resolve on your own. 

Changing healthcare technology

One challenge of working in allied health is keeping up with the latest healthcare technology. Medical knowledge and practices can evolve rapidly and you must stay updated in order to manage the influx of new concepts, skills, and information. 

Allied Health Assistance can be a meaningful career choice for those who like to help others, but keep in mind the struggles you may have to deal with and the best ways to handle them. 

This is why an Allied Health Care course is necessary. It helps you learn new skills and techniques that make the career less challenging and provide you with the tools to tackle different problems. You will learn communication and problem solving skills as well as how to use different technologies and understand medical terminology related to your field. 

What are the benefits of Allied Health Care courses?

Allied Health courses will educate and train you on various aspects of the profession so that you enter the workforce feeling prepared and ready. Whether you want to pursue a career in physiotherapy or occupational therapy, you will be taught how to: 

• Communicate effectively, 
• Work with patience, 
• Work practices for direct client care,
• Overcome complicated issues, and 
• Provide encouraging support and care. 

Online allied health courses are self-paced and allow you to study in the comfort of your own home, at a time that best suits you.

Allied Health Assistant courses – summary

Working as an Allied Health Assistant is a rewarding career that offers flexibility and an opportunity to support various health professionals and clients on their journey to better health. Courses are self-paced and include valuable work placements that prepare you for your journey as an Allied Health Assistant with real life experience.

What are you waiting for? Get your qualification and start your rewarding career in allied health assistance with the online courses available here. 

FAQ

1. 1. What is an Allied Health Assistant?
      An Allied Health Assistant is someone who provides support to allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, speech pathologists, and dieticians.

   2. What does an Allied Health Assistant do?
      An Allied Health Assistant may help clients implement exercise programs, manage appointments, and adjust health or rehabilitation equipment. They might also support health professionals by taking patient history, filing records, and creating treatment programs.

   3. How much does an Allied Health Assistant earn in Australia?
      The average salary for an Allied Health Assistant in Australia is around $57,000 or $28 per hour.

   4. How do I become an Allied Health Assistant in Australia?
      To become an Allied Health Assistant in Australia, you must complete a nationally recognised Certificate III or Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance. For some jobs, you may require a Working With Children Check.

   5. Why do you want to be an Allied Health Assistant?
      It is an extremely rewarding career that supports clients on their health journey while also enabling health professionals to do their job professionally.

   6. What is a Grade 1 Allied Health Assistant?
      A Grade 1 Allied Health Assistant will have little to no experience or qualifications and be just starting in their career.

   7. Is Allied Health Assistant a good career?
      Allied Health Assistance is a great career for anyone who loves to work with people and wants to pursue a career in the allied health industry.

   8. Are Allied Health Assistants in demand?
      Allied Health Assistants are in high demand across Australia, though some health sectors will be in more demand for others. For example, therapy aides are increasing in demand each year.