Students must be at least 18 years old to commence this course.

This course is available as a traineeship.

Entrance requirements for traineeships

You must be employed in a training contract by an appropriate organisation to study an apprenticeship or traineeship. 

In a traineeship you also gain hands-on skills and work experience, and improve your employment prospects, while earning a wage. On successful completion you will gain a nationally recognised qualification which can lead to rewarding career options. The difference between a traineeship and an apprenticeship is that a traineeship can be either a full time or part time employment based training arrangement, usually for a nominal duration of 12 months or more, generally in a non-trade related area. 

To find out how to arrange a traineeship and study at South Metropolitan TAFE, please contact the Jobs and Skills Centre closest to you.

The course runs for one semester (20 weeks), theory and uploading of completed assessments is done on-line. Also a required 3 week industry placement during the semester. 

Is this the right course for you?

Have you got what it takes to be successful in this career? Our Core Skills guide lists the skills and attributes necessary to study and work in this field.

See the Core Skills Required 

Core Skill Requirements (Inherent Requirements) 

To work in the industry area identified, the following skills needs to be considered; 

Observational skills – this includes the ability to: 

• notice changes in people’s behavior, ability and the environment 
• identify safety hazards and risks 
• observe and understand non-verbal cues (e.g. facial expressions, body language) 

Communication skills – this includes the ability to: 

• communicate effectively with a range of people (e.g. clients, co-workers) 
• use appropriate language and respect when working with people from different cultures 
• listen attentively to what is being said 
• read and understand written information 
• understand and follow written and verbal instructions 
• understand and respond to verbal and non- verbal communication 
• write comprehensive communication appropriate to the situation 
• use technology to communicate (e.g. computer for reports, emails, documents) 
• communicate and work with other people as a team 

Technical and / or Motor skills – this includes the ability to: 

• deal with physical demands of manual tasks (e.g. bending, squatting, kneeling, crouching, repetitive movements, carrying, reaching) 
• be on your feet for extended periods of time, both walking and standing 
• grasp, push, turn and manipulate objects 
• use equipment and other technology (e.g. computers, sterilisation machines, instruments and washing areas) 
• have sufficient vision to safely perform the required range of skills 
• hear and differentiate sounds that may alert you of a problem (e.g. alarms ) 
• deal with body fluids (e.g. urine, faeces, blood) 

Cognitive / intellectual skills – this includes the ability to: 

• gather, understand, organize, recall and communicate information 
• use own judgment / basic problem solving skills (e.g. to respond to immediate safety risks) 
• understand other people’s perspectives / opinions and respect their choices 
• maintain a sufficient level of concentration to complete an activity / task 
• perform tasks in a safe manner and within reasonable timeframes 

Behavioural and social skills – this includes the ability to: 

• demonstrate patience and willingness to work with a variety of people 
• able to work under pressure 
• demonstrate professional behaviour (e.g. punctuality, maintaining confidentiality and respect personal boundaries) 
• tolerate close proximity with individuals 
• interact with all genders 
• adapt to change 
• take responsibility for own actions – including use of social media 
• comply with legal requirements of industry (e.g. criminal history check)

Please note this list should be used as a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations.

Work placement is mandatory for completion of this course. SM TAFE will arrange a suitable work placement within industry for you which will involve your attendance at a workplace.

To access free career planning and job search assistance, visit the Jobs and Skills Centres page.

Attendance on campus

You will be expected to attend a 3 day compulsory orientation (non contact week) on campus.

At-home study

This course runs for one semester and requires you to access and complete the written assessments online, submit health department clearances within the first four weeks of enrolment and attend a 3 week full time clinical placement, organised by SM TAFE. You will also be expected to attend 15 half day simulation sessions. 

You will need to have the basic technical requirements for at-home study. If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.

To study online and on campus, you should be prepared to commit to independent study and to attend our campuses. To help you understand what it takes to study online and on campus at SM TAFE, download our info pack below.

Online and on campus study info pack (337 KB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab)

Work placement

A 3-week full-time work placement in a sterilisation department within a hospital is required as part of your assessment for all the units in this qualification. A clinical placement will be arranged for you, once we have received the following:

1. National Police Clearance
2. Working with Children Check
3. Medical Clearance with your full vaccinations/serology results

Optional attendance at simulation sessions are available for all sterilisation students. These will be offered throughout the semester, held after hours (most Monday evenings during the semester 4-8pm) in our simulation lab for those students who require further practical training. Any students who require additional assistance to complete written assessments for the second and third cluster of units are strongly encouraged to attend. Transport to placement and parking costs are at the students own expense.

What you need 

Students do not require a uniform as uniform scrubs are supplied on placement by the hospitals.Students will need to bring their own device to class (laptop or tablet) for this course.

Industry Mandatory Vaccination requirements

The following are out of pocket expenses the student will be expected to pay

• You will be required to undertake a health assessment and provide evidence of serology for your immunisation status, including current flu and COVID vaccinations, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis and MRSA screening test. (approx. $200)*
• TB Immunity test ($75) and*
• A National Police Certificate within the last 12 months (certain offences on your police clearance may affect your clinical placement) ($58)*
• A Working with Children Check (over 18's) (Approximately $11)*
• A WA Department of Health History Record Check (Free if you have a current National Police Certificate)
• A NDIS Screening Check (Approximately $11)*

*Costs may vary.

For more information visit:
https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au(opens in a new tab)
https://www.police.wa.gov.au/Police-Direct/National-Police-Certificates(opens in a new tab)

This course requires you to undertake a mandatory work placement. The host employer may request students to be covid vaccinated. For the latest information on vaccine requirements for students visit our COVID-19 update page. 

Clinical Placements

All placements will be within the Perth and Peel regions.