About this industry
Turn your care for others into a career in health support. You'll learn skills to help improve the health and wellbeing of yourself and your community. You could work in hospitals, clinics, dental practices, or community health centres, helping health professionals care for patients, assisting with procedures, sterilising equipment, or keeping medical records up to date. To work in health support, you need to care about people, work well in a team, communicate clearly, pay attention to details, and follow health and safety rules With over 945,000 people working in South Australia's growing health sector, there are plenty of opportunities to start a rewarding career helping others stay healthy and safe.
Where can this take you?
Job titles in this industry
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker
- Personal Care Assistant
- Operating Theatre Technician
- Nursing Support Worker
- Therapy Aide
- Dental Assistant
- Medical Receptionist
- Patient Services Assistant
- Medical Technician
- Pathology Collector / Phlebotomist
- Sterilisation Technician
- Pharmacy Technician
- Dental Technician
Career opportunities
- Physiotherapy Assistant
- Podiatry Assistant
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Speech Pathology Assistant
- Community Rehabilitation Assistant
- Nutrition and Dietetics Assistant
- Enrolled Nurse
- Health Practice Manager
VET qualifications
Continue your studies with one of the following:
- HLT43021 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
- HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing
- HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management
- HLT64121 Advanced Diploma of Nursing
University pathway careers
University study in health can lead to employment in a range of roles including:
- Registered Nurse
- Doctor
- Dentist
- Podiatrist
- Physiotherapist
- Nutritionist
- Dietitian
- Occupational Therapist
- Audiologist
- Speech Pathologist
- Midwife
- Medical Imaging professionals/Radiologist
- Social Worker
Study VET while you complete the SACE
Qualifications you could earn
Start your career at school through on-the-job training in one of:
- HLT20121 Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
- HLT23221 Certificate II in Health Support Services
- HLT30121 Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
- HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
- HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting
- HLT37015 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services
- HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection
- HLT37315 Certificate III in Health Administration
- HLT37415 Certificate III in Pathology Assistance
Qualifications you could earn
Start VET study at school through off-the-job training in:
- HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
- HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- Advanced Allied Health
Industry requirements
Industry specific requirements, including:
- HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
- Driver’s Licence (preferred)
- Vaccination against COVID-19 as per SA Health requirements
- Screening/Clearances (depending on the role this may
include SAPOL National Police Clearance, Department of Human
Services Working with Children Check, Psychological Assessment).
Relevant Health Care Worker immunisation compliance. For clinical compliance this can include (for all public health services) :
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella
- Chicken pox
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis
- COVID-19
- Influenza – Not mandatory but recommended
- Hepatitis A – Not mandatory but recommended
- Tuberculosis screening
Plus
Customised SACE subjects
Pastoral care – mentoring and monitoring