Sterilisation technicians are a vital part of the health care and social assistance sectors and play a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness and sterility of medical instruments and equipment, which is essential for patient safety.
The HLT37015 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services and HLT47015 Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services qualifications were last reviewed in 2015. Since then, current practice, standards and technology have evolved significantly. This project aims to align training with updated regulatory and safety requirements, including AS5369:2023, and to help create clearer career pathways and improve course content and consistency to ensure training supports the existing and future workforce.
This is a 12-month project that is expected to be completed by June 2026.
Project Scope
We will review 2 qualifications and 8 units of competency that support training for the following occupations:
- instrument technician
- sterilisation assistant
- sterilisation technician
- Central Sterilisation Service Department supervisor
- senior instrument technician
- sterilisation supervisor.
Typically, sterilisation technicians clean, sterilise, and package surgical instruments and other hospital equipment. Their work is critical for infection control and patient safety in healthcare facilities.
Qualifications and Units of Competency
Currently there are 2 qualifications and 8 units of competency specific to sterilisation services. A feedback survey on these items was available until Wednesday 13 August 2025.
Qualifications
The purpose of these qualifications is to support a specific occupation. The HLT37015 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services also supports pathways and applied learning.
Units of Competency
Project fact sheet
Project Governance and Consultation Strategy
We have established a Technical Committee of members selected for their relevant expertise on the diverse aspects of the project.
View the Terms of Reference and Technical Committee members.
Our Project Consultation Strategy has been finalised and is available to download.
July 2025
We are committed to developing training products that meet industry standards and enhance workforce readiness by identifying gaps and opportunities in sterilisation services skills development.
Our Sterilisation Services Functional Analysis Report provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse roles, functions and skills required across sterilisation services, including health service organisations. It outlines the key competencies required to meet industry expectations and supports workforce development by exploring nationally endorsed training pathways for sterilisation services professionals.
Methodology
To ensure accuracy and relevance, the functional analysis research process included desktop research and interviews. Desktop research involved reviewing job advertisements, organisational structures, industry reports and government labour market data to understand workforce skill requirements in sterilisation services and to identify emerging trends in infection control, equipment handling and compliance with health and safety standards.
For the interviews, we engaged with employers, peak bodies, registered training organisations, and subject matter experts in sterilisation services to gather practical insights into roles, functions, sub-functions, skills, and knowledge requirements. These conversations helped us identify the specific tasks, challenges and competencies employers prioritise in sterilisation services workplaces, from preparing and maintaining sterile reusable medical devices and other items to monitoring compliance with protocols and supporting surgical teams.
We also gained a deeper understanding of employer expectations and current and future workforce needs, enabling us to define functions and sub-functions that guide workforce development and inform training product solutions tailored to the sterilisation services sector.
Functional analysis report
Qualifications and Units of Competency
Currently there are 2 qualifications and 8 units of competency specific to sterilisation services. A feedback survey on these training products was open until Wednesday 13 August 2025.
Qualifications
Units of Competency
September to November 2025
We invited registered training organisations, educational experts, subject matter experts, industry bodies, unions, employers, providers, employers, First Nations people and other relevant people to attend a consultation workshop for the Sterilisation Services Qualification review. The workshops were to help us:
- understand industry changes and the skills, knowledge, practice and requirements needed for Certificate III and Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services qualifications
- understand current challenges, gaps, opportunities and potential solutions
- identify and inform changes for the qualifications, units of competency and skill sets
- identify functions that are common across all settings/specific settings and pathways within the sector
- gain advice on the development of resources, guidance on delivery and pathways information.
Following an online information session (27/08/25), face-to-face workshops were held in Darwin (09/09/25), Brisbane (11/09/25). Perth (14/10/25), Adelaide (16/10/25), Sydney (21/10/25), Canberra (23/10/25), Melbourne (28/10/25) and Hobart (30/10/25) and we also held online workshops (17/10/25, 24/10/25, 01/10/25). For those who missed out on a workshop, our online survey about proposed changes to the HLT37015 Certificate III in Sterilisation Services and HLT47015 Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services qualifications will remain open until Friday 21 November 2025.
Summary of Proposed Changes
The sterilisation services qualifications are being updated to ensure they reflect current industry standards, technologies, and workforce expectations. The proposed changes strengthen alignment with infection prevention principles, quality assurance practices, and contemporary reprocessing methods for reusable medical devices.
View proposed changes
Key updates include revised unit groupings, clearer role delineation across qualification levels, and refreshed content that supports safe, compliant, and efficient sterilisation service delivery. The review also focuses on improving career progression pathways, enhancing workforce capability, and ensuring qualifications remain relevant to the evolving needs of healthcare facilities and regulatory frameworks.
We invited you to provide feedback on the Sterilisation Services Qualifications via survey which closed on Friday 21 November 2025.
December 2025 to February 2026
Details to come.
March 2026 to April 2026
Details to come.