RMIT's accelerated Allied Health Certificate fast-tracks students from the classroom to work-ready allied health assistants.
RMIT's College of Vocational Education proudly marks a milestone with the successful completion of the inaugural accelerated Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance; a fast-tracked course made for RMIT osteopathy, physiotherapy, or biomedical students looking to step into the health industry while studying.
In a six-month program, students gain essential skills for working alongside allied health professionals, increasing their chances to gain employment while still pursuing their degree. Ranging from learning work safe protocols, facilitating group or rehabilitation practices to proper record keeping, students graduate from the course with hands-on work experience.
Vlad Makarenko found the program to be an incredible opportunity when preparing for clinical placements in fourth year osteopathy.
"I was interested in gaining more relevant experience with patient care and treatment; hence the Allied Health Assistance (AHA) course struck me as a great opportunity to gain new knowledge and medical experience. It gave me a chance to develop my skills in patient-centred care and learn the roles of physios and Occupational Therapists in the medical/health field."
The fast-tracked course offers a blended teaching and learning program with 120 hours (3 weeks) of a clinical placement, allowing students to jump headfirst into hands on healthcare experience with the support of tutors and practical classes to prepare them.
"The AHA course provided me with experience in managing patients with complex conditions and co-morbidities, how to develop management and rehabilitation plans, and the importance of collaboration in a multidisciplinary team when delivering care to patients," said Vlad.
Taking full advantage of RMIT's dual sector education capabilities, Health and Biomedical Sciences students, who've taken first year foundational prerequisites, can complete their certificate between semesters. Getting students work or placement ready before class starts for semester two and opening doors within allied health assistant work while continuing their degree.
Richa Verma, 2025 Program Coordinator and teacher, feels this unique experience gives students studying their master's and bachelor's degree a real taste of what an allied health assistant does.
"You get the chance to work directly with physiotherapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors, while building good rapport with professionals. Overall, it increases your chances of achieving a positive job outcome."
With increasing healthcare workers and skills shortages, RMIT's College of Vocational Education continues to support training and practical workforce skills, producing confident and work ready graduates where we need them most. The AHA fast-tracked options is also currently a part of the Free TAFE government supported education for Australian citizens, permanent residents, or asylum seekers.
Clare Williamson, Allied Health teacher, feels this unique course is integral for creating confidence in practical skills and recommends it for all students studying in healthcare fields.
"These skills are not just important for the allied health assistance workforce but are also highly transferable to other degree programs."
"From day one of the fast-track course we prepare students for placement and the workplace. By applying theory to practice we teach the students valuable patient handling skills and communication skills using simulated workplace scenarios."
The course is open to students from a range of disciplines including Bachelor of Pharmacy, Nursing, Health Science (Osteopathy), Physiotherapy, and Biomedical Sciences who benefit when studying under the dual sector with access to fast -track courses such as this.
The accelerated Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance is open for 2026 intakes from early October with the course set to begin in mid-January for students currently studying courses from within the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences at RMIT.
