Allied health assistant job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed allied health assistants about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed allied health assistants about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Organising
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Physical
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Intellectual
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for an allied health assistant
Tasks can include:
- Helping develop treatment plans for patients
- Liaising with patients
- Supporting and assisting allied health practitioners
- Administrative support and record-keeping
- Coordinating health programs
- Monitoring patient outcomes
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Makes a difference
Allied health has a crucial part to play in the health and wellbeing of the community. The difference the programs and services can make in an individual’s life is enormous. Extra care in interpersonal relations can turn an experience from an unpleasant one into one of comfort and ease.
Flexible hours
A job in allied health assisting can be very flexible. Therapy aide roles, for example, are mainly part-time, which means work can fit around other commitments or leave room for further study into other areas. A part-time job can easily transition into a full-time position, fostering the ability to create your unique work-life balance.
Job security
epresenting around a third of the health workforce, allied health professionals deliver about 200 million services a year. With Australia’s healthcare services industry’s projected growth over the next five years, jobs in the sector are set to be plentiful.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for an allied health assistant
The job outlook for roles in health assisting is positive.
The health services industry has a considerable growth period predicted over the next five years. This increase is due to the aging population, an increase in chronic diseases and the rise of private health insurance coverage.
In Australia, there are around 195,000 allied health workers. A considerable percentage are allied health assistants working behind the scenes.
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
Your entry-level position in allied health assistance could open up opportunities to specialise in a particular area or move on into other roles.
Some pathways could be:
Junior
-
Allied health assistant
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33015)
-
Medical imaging assistant
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33015)
-
Occupational therapy assistant
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33015)
Mid
-
Anaesthetic technician
Most common qualification: Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology (HLT57915)
-
Community rehabilitation assistant
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (HLT43015)
-
Speech therapy allied health assistant
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (HLT43015)
-
Podiatry assistant
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (HLT43015)
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
Working in a team of professionals with a common goal of improving other people’s lives requires specific soft skills. You may already possess some of these skills acquired from either past employment or life experiences.
Some personal skills for an allied health assistant are:
Empathy
When working with vulnerable, unwell or injured people, it is essential to employ compassion and kindness. Some patients may be in chronic pain, have anxiety around treatment, and some may have had unpleasant experiences in the health system before working with your team.
In the health industry, an ability to put yourself in the shoes of the people you are helping goes a long way and ensures your patients feel at ease in your care.
Teamwork
As an allied health assistant, you work under the direction of a senior health practitioner and many other team members or service providers, like physiotherapists, speech pathologists, or occupational therapists. It is integral to the wellbeing of the patients that all cogs in the allied health machine work effectively with each other.
Mutual respect, patience and good communication make working in a team successful and ultimately result in a happier work environment.
Time management
There is a lot of paperwork and process when working in allied health. You are responsible for coordinating treatment plans, updating patient files, making appointments and many other admin heavy duties.
Strong time management and organisational skills are imperative to ensure compliance in all areas of healthcare.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
You need specific knowledge to be an allied health assistant. These are the skills you learn by undertaking vocational training.
Some professional allied health assistant skills required are:
Developing allied health service plans
Infection control, health and safety
Healthcare administration
Communication in health and community services
Medical terminology
Mental health care
Body systems
Being in the health sector is more about connecting with the person than it is the skills you learn at uni. Uni trains you not to kill someone and opens up the doorway to lifelong learning to become a good practitioner.
Glen Stevens
Chiropractor and owner of The Functional Movement club
I am passionate about advocating for a higher quality of patient-centered allied healthcare both within my own franchise and mobile business and in the wider industry. My aim is to improve the lives of a million Australians a year through quality and accessible health care.
Jonathan Moody
CEO and founder, Physio Inq
How to become an allied health assistant
-
Study
Complete a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33015) through a TAFE or recognised training organisation (RTO). This equips you with the skills you need to start a job in allied health assistance and improve your job prospects. This course requires you to undertake 80 hours of work experience under the supervision of an allied health professional.
-
National police check
During the recruitment process for many jobs in healthcare, you may need to undergo a national police check. This check can be done entirely online and is very straightforward.
-
Check your immunisations are up to date
Healthcare workers may be exposed to, and transmit, vaccine-preventable diseases. It is advisable to make sure you have the correct vaccinations to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.
Explore related qualifications
Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
This course teaches you everything you need to know to assist health professionals that provide patient care within the allied health system.
The Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance is a nationally recognised qualification. It provides a solid understanding of assisting with allied health programs, basic medical terminology, compliance with infection prevention and control policies, and effective communication for the industry.
The course has elective units like working with behaviours of concern, assisting with movement and transporting individuals.
The average duration of this course is nine months, and enrolments take place throughout the year. This course also requires an 80-hour work placement.
The course can be delivered in a combination of online, in-class and work-based study options and can be self-paced. Enquire with providers for payment plan options.
3 providers offer this course
Related subjects
A rewarding and exciting health career can come in many forms.
The health sector requires more people who want to help others and make a difference in the community.
Some other subjects to explore:
Reviews
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
- All
- Positive
- Negative
Natalia
Aug 23 2021I have a supportive team and am constantly learning on the job.
What are the best parts of the job?
The people I work with are all amazing and lovely.
What's the most challenging part?
Learning on the go and constantly developing my skills so I can offer great care.
Ella
Aug 23 2021Helping patients overcome obstacles in their health journey.
What are the best parts of the job?
Walking with someone in their health journey and supporting them in achieving goals and overcoming barriers.
What's the most challenging part?
Bureaucracy within the workplace is frustrating, and means there are barriers to giving patients the care I want to provide.
Penelope
Aug 23 2021Enjoyable job where I get to help patients improve their lives.
What are the best parts of the job?
I love every part of the job. Helping patients is such a rewarding feeling.
What's the most challenging part?
Resolving conflict is a necessary but difficult part of the job.
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Job cluster: The Carer
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
A role in allied health that involves the health and wellbeing of others suits the career personality of The Carer.
The Carer thrives in an environment where people are the primary focus, and the goal is to improve lives. Roles that have The Carer working in a team of like-minded individuals are ideal, allowing them to exercise their ability to communicate and work cohesively.
Ideal work environments for The Carer would be childcare, aged care, animal care or the healthcare industries.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
What does an allied health assistant do?
An allied health assistant works under other health professionals to coordinate health programs for individuals and performs related administrative tasks as required.
How does an allied health assistant fit in with the allied health team?
Allied health teams consist of health professionals who help patients address specific health needs. Assistants work under these health professionals behind the scenes to help ensure the coordination of treatment plans and the administration of patient care are running smoothly.
What does allied health assistant mean?
An allied health assistant is a role within the allied healthcare system that provides support in several ways to healthcare professionals.
How much does an allied health assistant earn?
An allied health assistant earns an average yearly salary of $52K in Australia.
What makes a good allied health assistant?
To be a good allied health assistant, you need to be able to work in a team, have organisational skills and empathy in order to liaise with patients.