Considering an Allied Health Career? Here’s How to Get Started as an Assistant

Every successful physio session, occupational therapy programme and speech pathology treatment has an Allied Health Assistant helping make it happen. You're supporting patients, setting up sessions and keeping things running smoothly.

Working directly with patients and alongside allied health therapists, you'll be part of treatment teams that help people regain mobility, learn new skills and improve their quality of life. If you're thinking about going down this career path, here's what you need to know about becoming an Allied Health Assistant.

What is allied health?

Allied health covers all the healthcare professionals who work with allied health therapists and nurses to provide specialised patient care. Think Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and Audiologists. These services work alongside medical treatment to help people feel their best.

What does an Allied Health Assistant do?

As an Allied Health Assistant, you'll work directly under allied health professionals. These professionals need support to deliver quality patient care — that's where Allied Health Assistants come in. You do the admin and help with therapy programs, freeing up therapists to do what they do best.

As far as where you’ll work, it’s pretty open. Hospitals need Allied Health Assistants in rehabilitation wards; aged care facilities depend on you for resident programs; private practices might want an assistant to help run the clinic and give aftercare. 

See our blog for more on what Allied Health Assistants do.

Allied health careers: Outcomes and progression

Starting as an Allied Health Assistant opens up heaps of allied health career pathways. You might begin in a general assistant role, then specialise as a Physiotherapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Nutrition and Dietetics Assistant or move into specific areas like aged care support or rehabilitation assistance.

The experience you gain as an Allied Health Assistant is valuable for future study, too. Many people use it as a stepping stone to become qualified allied health professionals themselves or move into practice management roles. 

Allied Health Assistant salary and job demand

Pay and job demand are big decision drivers for becoming an Allied Health Assistant. Allied Health Assistants in Australia typically earn between $60,000 and $70,000 per year, according to SEEK. The exact salary will depend on where you work and your level of experience.

Job demand is also strong and getting stronger. SEEK Career Advice puts job growth for Allied Health Assistants at 15.5% in the next five years.

How to become an Allied Health Assistant

Getting qualified as an Allied Health Assistant is pretty straightforward. You can choose the qualification that matches your goals and interests.

HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance 

The HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance is your entry point into allied health, giving you the traits and skills you need to make it. You'll learn to work under the direction of allied health professionals, supporting patient programmes and therapeutic activities, preparing you for roles as an Allied Health Assistant or Therapy Assistant.

HLT43021 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance 

The HLT43021 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance gives you more skills to support allied health professionals across various settings. This qualification opens doors to greater specialisation in the allied health industry.

HLT43021 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Focus 

The HLT43021 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Focus gives you specialised training to support Physiotherapists or Occupational Therapists as a Physiotherapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant or general Allied Health Assistant.

HLT43021 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetic Support) 

The HLT43021 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetic Support) focuses on nutrition and dietetics support, preparing you for roles as a Nutrition and Dietetics Assistant, Allied Health Assistant or Therapy Assistant.

Dual qualification

The dual qualification combines HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance and HLT43021 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance to fast-track your career. You'll graduate with two nationally recognised qualifications, broadening your opportunities.

Study allied health with Foundation Education

Foundation Education's allied health courses get you job-ready with the perfect mix of online learning and real-world practice. You'll study at your own pace whilst getting hands-on experience that gives you a leg up right out of study.

Ready to start your allied health career? Call our friendly Careers Advisors at 1300 616 197 or enquire online to get talking with our team about which qualification suits your goals.