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Advance your career with Cunningham Centre
Queensland Health employees now have an exclusive opportunity to upskill with the nationally recognised Certificate III in Sterilisation Services (HLT37015), delivered in partnership with TAFE Queensland and Queensland Health’s Cunningham Centre.
This program is designed to equip you with the practical skills and industry knowledge needed to excel as a Sterilisation Technician, a vital role in ensuring patient safety and supporting healthcare operations. Take advantage of this specialised training to enhance your career, meet growing industry demand, and contribute to a stronger, more sustainable health workforce.
Flexible learning designed for you
Designed for flexibility, the program enables you to balance study with work and life commitments. Before you begin, you’ll have the opportunity to assess your current industry skills for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which may reduce the time and cost of your training.
The self-directed learning model includes:
- Online learning modules – study at your own pace through TAFE Queensland’s learning management system, Connect.
- Virtual drop-in sessions – engage with expert trainers in interactive online classes.
The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete 14 units (10 core and 4 electives). As you currently work within the industry the vocational placement requirements will be demonstrated through workplace observations.
The units below (7) are eligible for RPL and the remaining units (7) would be delivered through flexible online learning modules and virtual drop-in sessions:
- CHCCOM005 - Communicate and work in health or community services
- CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people
- HLTWHS001 - Participate in workplace health and safety
- HLTWHS005 - Conduct manual tasks safely
- BSBADM311 - Maintain business resources
- BSBINM301 - Organise workplace information
- BSBWOR301 - Organise personal work priorities and development
As a current Queensland Health employee with experience in a hospital or health service you may be eligible to fast-track your qualification through RPL.
If your evidence shows you meet the competency requirements, you may not need additional training for those units. Any identified gaps will be addressed through targeted training.
RPL recognises and validates the skills you’ve gained through:
- Previous work experience in healthcare
- Prior study (formal, informal, or non-formal learning)
- Relevant volunteer work
This process ensures your existing expertise is recognised, reducing the time and cost to complete your Certificate III in Sterilisation Services (HLT37015).
You’ll start by completing a self-assessment to identify which units you may already be competent in. You’ll then provide evidence such as:
- Workplace documents
- References from supervisors
- Records of previous training
Studying the Certificate III in Sterilisation Services (HLT37015) with TAFE Queensland can take as little as 6 months. The course has rolling starts throughout the year, so you can enrol and get started at any time.
If you’re assessed for RPL your assigned assessor will guide you through the required steps before you begin the remaining units via flexible online learning modules and virtual drop-in sessions.
As a Queensland Health employee, you may be eligible for funding through the Enterprise Bargaining (EB) Training and Development fund or through your employing hospital or health service. Please discuss available options with your line manager, or find out more here: Funding | Cunningham Centre | Queensland Health
TAFE Queensland will assess you against available government subsidies.
To apply for this course you:
- must be over 18 years of age due to placement requirements.
- need to be physically fit for heavy lifting up to 25kg maximum.
- will require a standard of basic computer literacy skills and must have access to a computer and the internet as learning resources, assessments and exams will be issued and conducted online through our Learning Management System.
- if from non-English speaking background, must be able to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and have comprehension skills that would be required to fulfil a job role.
Industry based applicants (Existing workers)
To apply for this course as an existing worker, you:
- must be able to nominate a Workplace Supervisor to observe and record competencies within the workplace. As a minimum, the Workplace Supervisor must have a Certificate III in Sterilisation Services or higher relevant qualifications in Sterilisation.
- need to have been working as a sterilisation technician or sterilisation AIN for a minimum of 3 months; and be working a minimum of 16 hours per week.
- will be required to complete employment validation form.
Non-industry based applicants
- you must be prepared to undergo a series of vaccinations to prepare you for placement.
- you must be able to prove (via an immunisation statement or letter from your GP) that you have had at least the first two (2) of three, Hepatitis B vaccinations prior to applying for this program.
- Interstate, non-industry applicants will be accepted providing you can supply the contact name and details of a hospital who is prepared to host you for your 120-hour vocational placement and have a Workplace Supervisor with a Certificate III in Sterilisation Services or higher relevant qualifications in Sterilisation.