This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification reflects the role of medical practice assistants whose work includes a broad range of administrative functions combined with tasks to support medical practitioners in the delivery of care to clients. These tasks are completed under the direct or indirect supervision of a medical practitioner.
A medical practice assistant may work under the supervision of a health care professional other than a medical practitioner, but this should only occur where:
- the health care professional is in the same practice as the medical practitioner and
- the medical practitioner has agreed to the other health care professional providing the supervision.
A registered nurse must accept or refuse responsibility for supervision of an activity of a medical practice assistant, according to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Decision-making framework. An enrolled nurse cannot provide supervision.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.
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On-the-job training
- Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
This traineeship is available:
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Through traineeship:
2 years - Qualification only:
6 months – 2 years
- Through traineeship:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control | Core |
| Communicate and work in health or community services | Core |
| Confirm physical health status | Core |
| Handle medical specimens | Core |
| Implement workplace information system | Core |
| Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately | Core |
| Maintain medication stocks | Core |
| Maintain patient records | Core |
| Maintain work health and safety | Core |
| Manage first aid services and resources | Core |
| Organise schedules | Core |
| Perform electrocardiography (ECG) | Core |
| Prepare and process medical accounts | Core |
| Process reusable medical devices and equipment | Core |
| Provide First Aid | Core |
| Support health professional in the delivery of care | Core |
| Take clinical measurements | Core |
| Work legally and ethically | Core |
| Work with diverse people | Core |
| Administer and coordinate Telehealth services | Elective |
| Collect pathology specimens other than blood | Elective |
| Contribute to continuous improvement | Elective |
| Deliver and monitor a service to customers | Elective |
| Design and produce business documents | Elective |
| Develop administrative systems | Elective |
| Facilitate a coordinated approach to client care | Elective |
| Handle receipt and dispatch of information | Elective |
| Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection | Elective |
| Maintain financial records | Elective |
| Manage patient recordkeeping system | Elective |
| Manage Telehealth technology | Elective |
| Perform venous blood collections | Elective |
| Provide Advanced First Aid | Elective |
| Reflect on and improve own professional practice | Elective |
| Respond effectively to behaviours of concern | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Personal Care Assistant
ANZSCO 423313
Personal Care Assistants provide routine personal care services to people in a range of health care facilities or in a person's home.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Health Practice Manager
ANZSCO 512211
Health Practice Managers organise and control the functions and resources of health practices, such as administrative systems and practice personnel.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Medical Receptionist
ANZSCO 542114
Medical Receptionists greet patients and other clients in health facilities, such as clinics, practices, centres or surgeries, and respond to personal, telephone, and written inquiries and requests.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Clinical Coder
ANZSCO 599915
Clinical Coders assign codes to narrative descriptions of patients' diseases, operations and procedures in accordance with recognised classification systems to allow for easy storage, retrieval and analysis of health data.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV
Training providers delivering Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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Health Industry Training Queensland (RTO code 32145)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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UNE Partnerships Pty Ltd (RTO code 6754)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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ADEPT TRAINING PTY LTD (RTO code 90991)
Contact this provider
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TAFE NSW (RTO code 90003)
Contact this provider
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Worklinks QLD Ltd (RTO code 30622)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.