Printing the course overview will compile the details for all availabilities into a single PDF file without the units attached. If you want to print the units out for one or multiple availabilities then select the checkboxes below.
Make a difference to people's lives
Have you ever had a blood test? Did you know the person trained to do this is called a phlebotomist?
Did you find the experience interesting? Did you check out all the equipment and special containers in the room on your visit? Do you enjoy talking to people and helping them feel at ease during what can be a stressful time?
If you answered yes to these questions, this Certificate III in Pathology Collection course could start you on a rewarding career path.
As a phlebotomist (pathology collector) you'll interact with a wide variety of people while performing specimen collection, a vital part on their way to a better health status.
You'll provide this assistance by
- providing excellent customer service and communication
- taking venous blood samples with different types of needles
- collecting specimens such as swabs, urine and stool samples
- interacting with patients, couriers, lab staff and doctors
- working within collection centres, hospitals or doing home visits
The knowledge and practical skills you gain will equip you to work as a pathology collector/phlebotomist in a variety of settings.
You will gain transferable skills which you will be able use in other health related studies you may choose to undertake, such as laboratory techniques, nursing, pharmacy or anaesthetic technology & practice.
- Safely take venous blood and other samples from patients
- Recognise healthy body systems
- How to prevent the spread of infection
- Understand and apply medical terminology appropriately
- Work legally and ethically
Prior to enrolment into this qualification, please consider if you are:
- Over 18 years of age
- Able to set aside between 5-6 hours per week for study, attend classes a minimum of three days a week and complete a one week work placement
- Are prepared to work in hospital wards, outpatient clinics, off-site collection rooms and home collection services
- Able to stand on your feet for long periods of time
- Able to travel to multiple collection centres for work placement; and
- If you have the following attributes:
- Punctual
- Passionate in providing care
- Customer service skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Initiative, enthusiasm and positive attitude
- Strong sense of professional boundaries and integrity
- Cultural awareness
- Able to work without direct supervision
- Able to communicate well and build relationships with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Able to work co-operatively within a multidisciplinary team
- Good administration and organisational skills
- Computer literacy and accurate recording of details
- Able to problem solve and seek assistance when necessary
This qualification is directly aligned with priority industry areas where jobs are today, and into the future. As part of the state government Lower fees, local skills program, through to 31 December 2025 you'll only pay half the tuition fees (plus resource fee) capped at $1,200; or $400 if you're aged 15—24 or eligible for a concession.
^ You will pay half price for the tuition fees on the Lower fees, local skills qualifications, however other fees may apply such as Resource fees that are specific to your course. For full details see our Half price courses page.
If this course is deemed competitive, you will be informed during your application via TAFE Admissions and additional entrance requirements will apply.
| School Leaver | Non-School Leaver | AQF |
|---|---|---|
| OLNA or NAPLAN 9 Band 8 | C Grades in Year 10 English and Maths or equivalent | Certificate I or Certificate II |
The industry will only accept students over the age of 18 to undertake the compulsory work placement component of this course, impacting on the ability of underage students to complete the course requirements. We therefore recommend that you are 18 or over before commencing this course.
You'll be able to access your personal timetable (find out how on our Timetables page), once you have paid your fees. In the meantime the information below provides an indication of the time commitment required to complete this course, depending on available study options.
On campus delivery
You will be required to attend 3 days per week on campus. Classes are scheduled between 9:00am - 4:00pm.
On completion of all units, a mandatory work placement is required to be completed consisting of 35hrs full-time/part-time which will be organised through NMTAFE.
To achieve the qualification, you will need to demonstrate knowledge and practical skills for all units and be assessed satisfactory. This will include knowledge assessments, practical assessments and workplace assessments.
As well as the in-class component, you will need to complete approximately four to five hours of additional study each week outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research.
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.
Timetable information is indicative only and subject to change.
This qualification includes 35 hours of supervised work placement in a pathology collection centre or hospital.
As part of the learning process you will be requested to learn, demonstrate and collect venous blood samples using the artificial arm, other students and volunteers.
You will be required to perform 20 successful blood collections prior to attending work placement.
Before starting your work placement, you will need the following documented evidence:
- National Police Clearance valid within 6 months
- Working with Children’s Check (WWC)
- Evidence of documented vaccinations and serology of immunity (cost will vary depending on your doctor and what vaccinations are needed). This includes:
- Hepatitis B: minimum 2 x Adult Vaccinations PLUS serology evidence
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): 2 x Vaccinations OR serology evidence
- Varicella (Chicken Pox): 2 x Vaccinations OR serology evidence
- DtP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis): 1 x Vaccination evidence in the past 10 years
- Influenza (annual)
- COVID-19: 3 x Vaccination evidence
- Tuberculosis (TB): Quantiferon Gold – Negative serology Result
- MRSA: ONLY REQUIRED if you have you worked, or been a patient in a health care facility inside or outside WA in the past 12 months
A uniform consisting of:
- Black work trouser pants (approx. $50)
- White short sleeved collared button up shirt (approx. $35)
- Navy blue polo shirt (approx. $30)
- Black enclosed leather nonslip shoes (approx. $70)
Uniforms can be purchased from our supplier Totally Workwear at the Mt Lawley, Midland and Joondalup stores.
Additional costs will occur for all the above.
Please be aware that COVID-19 vaccination is an employment requirement for many healthcare providers.
NMTAFE students undertaking work placements or who are required to attend a healthcare or community setting as part of their studies are advised to check directly with the healthcare provider regarding their policy settings around vaccination and proof of vaccination requirements.
Other costs in addition to course fees:
- Uniform - you will be provided with details of appropriate shirts, trousers and shoes to be worn during on campus classes and work placement (please see the work placement tab for more information)
- Police Clearance (approx. $72) prior to commencement of work placement and employment
- Medical Clearance
Including vaccinations, costs will vary depending on your doctor and what vaccinations are required. You will need to provide proof of immunisation and serology of immunity as listed under Work placement.
Please be aware that COVID-19 vaccination is an employment requirement for many healthcare providers.
NMTAFE students undertaking work placements or who are required to attend a healthcare or community setting as part of their studies are advised to check directly with the healthcare provider regarding their policy settings around vaccination and proof of vaccination requirements.
Other job titles may include:
- Phlebotomist
- Specimen Collection Officer
- Blood Collector
Please note this list should be used as a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations.
Visit one of our four Jobs and Skills Centres located at NMT's Balga, Joondalup, Midland and Perth campuses for free career planning advice and job search support.
Study options and next steps
Click on your preferred option below to get started with your application.
Semester 1, 2024
Midland - Combined (On Campus and Online)
| Duration | 6 Months | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 1, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Midland | ||||||||||||
| How | On campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Half price fees
The Lower fees, local skills (half price) discount and fee caps have already been applied to the Tuition fees displayed above. Please note that fee caps only apply to the calendar year, so multi-semester courses across more than one calendar year may have a higher fee. See the Half price courses page for more details.
Lower fees, local skills are available to residents of Western Australia, and temporary residents holding certain visa types. They are not available for people living outside of Western Australia, or international students. Full eligibility details are available on our Half price courses page.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
T 1300 300 822
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Joondalup (McLarty Avenue) - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 1, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Joondalup (McLarty Avenue) | ||||||||||||
| How | On campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Half price fees
The Lower fees, local skills (half price) discount and fee caps have already been applied to the Tuition fees displayed above. Please note that fee caps only apply to the calendar year, so multi-semester courses across more than one calendar year may have a higher fee. See the Half price courses page for more details.
Lower fees, local skills are available to residents of Western Australia, and temporary residents holding certain visa types. They are not available for people living outside of Western Australia, or international students. Full eligibility details are available on our Half price courses page.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
T 1300 300 822
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Mount Lawley - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 1, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Mount Lawley | ||||||||||||
| How | On campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Half price fees
The Lower fees, local skills (half price) discount and fee caps have already been applied to the Tuition fees displayed above. Please note that fee caps only apply to the calendar year, so multi-semester courses across more than one calendar year may have a higher fee. See the Half price courses page for more details.
Lower fees, local skills are available to residents of Western Australia, and temporary residents holding certain visa types. They are not available for people living outside of Western Australia, or international students. Full eligibility details are available on our Half price courses page.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
T 1300 300 822
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Semester 2, 2023
Joondalup (McLarty Avenue) - Combined (On Campus and Online)
| Duration | 1 Semester | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 2, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Joondalup (McLarty Avenue) | ||||||||||||
| How | On campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Half price fees
The Lower fees, local skills (half price) discount and fee caps have already been applied to the Tuition fees displayed above. Please note that fee caps only apply to the calendar year, so multi-semester courses across more than one calendar year may have a higher fee. See the Half price courses page for more details.
Lower fees, local skills are available to residents of Western Australia, and temporary residents holding certain visa types. They are not available for people living outside of Western Australia, or international students. Full eligibility details are available on our Half price courses page.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
T 1300 300 822
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Mount Lawley - Combined (On Campus and Online)
| Duration | 1 Semester | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 2, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Mount Lawley | ||||||||||||
| How | On campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Half price fees
The Lower fees, local skills (half price) discount and fee caps have already been applied to the Tuition fees displayed above. Please note that fee caps only apply to the calendar year, so multi-semester courses across more than one calendar year may have a higher fee. See the Half price courses page for more details.
Lower fees, local skills are available to residents of Western Australia, and temporary residents holding certain visa types. They are not available for people living outside of Western Australia, or international students. Full eligibility details are available on our Half price courses page.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
T 1300 300 822
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Midland - Combined (On Campus and Online) - Term 4 Intake
| Duration | 6 Months | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 2, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Midland | ||||||||||||
| How | On campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Half price fees
The Lower fees, local skills (half price) discount and fee caps have already been applied to the Tuition fees displayed above. Please note that fee caps only apply to the calendar year, so multi-semester courses across more than one calendar year may have a higher fee. See the Half price courses page for more details.
Lower fees, local skills are available to residents of Western Australia, and temporary residents holding certain visa types. They are not available for people living outside of Western Australia, or international students. Full eligibility details are available on our Half price courses page.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
T 1300 300 822
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
Get help
This form is only for course enquiries. If you would like to apply, please refer to the Study options and next steps section above.