Previous Version Version Effective: 2nd of January, 2025
Version Effective: 2nd of January, 2025
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HLT45021 - Certificate IV in Dental Assisting

Course Details

Course Summary

The Certificate IV in Dental Assisting reflects the role of dental professionals who provide advanced support to dental practitioners, enhancing the standard of oral health care. The skills acquired through this qualification must be applied in compliance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards, and relevant industry codes of practice. 
Dental radiography tasks must only be carried out by individuals holding a radiation user licence, issued by the appropriate State or Territory regulatory authority under applicable legislation. Graduates will be eligible to apply for a radiation licence specific to their state or territory. 
At the time of publication, this qualification does not have any occupational licensing, certification, or specific legislative requirements. 

Entry Requirements

Completion of the BKSB (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher level course. 
Entry to this qualification requires students to have successfully completed and hold one of the following qualifications: 
 
HLT31812 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or 
HLT35015 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or 
HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or 
equivalent. 
 
You must be an existing worker or a volunteer in a dental practice in order to satisfy the assessment requirements for each of the units of competency within this qualification. You are required to be working or volunteering in a dental facility.  

Vocational Placement and Work Integrated Learning

Students must complete a Vocational Placement and/or Work Integrated Learning as part of this qualification.

Additional information

On the job training is an important and vital factor in successfully completing this qualification. Students must be an existing worker or a volunteer in a dental practice in order to satisfy the assessment requirements for each of the units of competency within this qualification.  Students are required to be working or volunteering in a dental facility.  It is recommended for students to work a minimum of 12 hours per week in order to gain the skills and knowledge as outlined in each of the units of competency.

 

Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees
Full Fee $2,656.00 (2025)
Fee for service per unit $332.00 (2025)
RPL Fee for service per Unit $249.00 (2025)
For detailed information on Course Fees, visit www.cqu.edu.au/fees
Application Mode
  • Direct To University
How to Apply Please Enquire
Study Area
  • Health
Skill Area
  • Health
AQF Level Level 4: Certificate IV

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes 		Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes 		Not Applicable

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

Completion of HLT45021 - Certificate IV in Dental Assisting may provide opportunities for potential career advancement in the dental industry. Typical roles can include Dental Assistant, Senior Dental Assistant, and Clinical Co-ordinator. 

Successful students will be able to apply for a radiation licence applicable in their state/territory.

Course Structures

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete 2 core units
  2. Complete 6 elective units

Study Mode Definitions

  • Online: Online courses provide the flexibility to study without normally requiring a student to visit a campus. Course content is studied through a number of means including the use of online discussion forums, electronic library resources, by contacting lecturers and teachers, and receiving study materials online/electronically. Work integrated learning, including placements, may be included in some courses.
  • On-campus: Students studying in on-campus mode typically are expected to attend and participate in regular, structured on-campus teaching and learning activities throughout the University’s academic term. These activities may include lectures, tutorials, workshops and practice, online or other activities and normally will be timetabled at a CQUniversity campus or approved delivery site.
  • Mixed Mode: Students studying in mixed mode will participate in a combination of online learning activities in addition to site-specific learning activities, which may include residential schools, co-op placements and/or work-integrated learning as a compulsory requirement of a unit. The additional site-specific learning activities are what differentiates a mixed-mode unit from an online unit.

*All study modes may include Vocational placement and/or work integrated learning.

Select a course structure below to view the delivery details, including the different study modes offered for each structure.

Online Course Structure

This program can take 1-2 years to complete, however as it is competency based it may be possible for students to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.  
 

Course content is delivered online via CQUniversity’s Moodle platform. You are required to be working or volunteering in a dental facility for a minimum of 12 hours per week to complete the practical requirements of this course.

  • Online
Cluster 1 - Work Health and Safety and Cultural Safety
HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety More Information Training.gov Details
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 2 - Dental Radiography Specialisation
HLTDEN023 Produce a prescribed dental radiographic image More Information Training.gov Details
HLTDEN021 Apply the principles of radiation biology and protection in dental practice More Information Training.gov Details
HLTDEN022 Prepare to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 3 - Sterilise Loads and Medical Terminology
HLTSTE003 Sterilise loads More Information Training.gov Details
BSBMED301 Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 4 - Recognise and Respond to Oral Health Issues
HLTOHC007 Recognise and respond to oral health issues More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Below is the recommended study sequence for this course. Please enrol in your units as per the following order.
Units with the same sequence number should be enrolled into at the same time.
Sequence Unit
1 HLTWHS003 - Maintain work health and safety
1 CHCDIV002 - Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
2 HLTDEN023 - Produce a prescribed dental radiographic image
2 HLTDEN021 - Apply the principles of radiation biology and protection in dental practice
2 HLTDEN022 - Prepare to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image
3 HLTSTE003 - Sterilise loads
3 BSBMED301 - Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
4 HLTOHC007 - Recognise and respond to oral health issues


Course Assessment Information

RPL - Students who have previous informal and formal learning need to advise their trainer/assessor prior to enrolment. If the student wishes to apply for an RPL they need to apply to the RPL Centre.
Credit transfer - If credit for relevant formal qualifications is sought, then the process will be actioned after the student has enrolled in at least one unit of competency as directed by the relevant trainer/assessor. The Trainer/Assessor will work with the student on their credit transfer application, and provide advice and support as necessary.
Assessment Types
Third Party Verification
Written/Electronic Assessment
RPL
Practical Task
Project
Course Learning Outcomes
Where and when can I start?
Please view the more details information for any additional information related to this course.

Domestic 2025 Availabilities

Online Course Structure

Online
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time
For individual class days and times for each intake please check the TAFE Timetable located here
More Details
No additional details have been provided.