Description

This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to perform a limited range of laboratory operations across all industry sectors.

Job roles/employment outcomes
The Certificate III in Laboratory Skills offers entry level technical training in laboratory skills across a range of industries. Employment outcomes targeted by this qualification include laboratory technicians, instrument operators and similar personnel.
Laboratory technicians perform straightforward laboratory work. They follow set procedures and recipes, and apply well developed technical skills and basic scientific knowledge. They generally work inside a laboratory but may also perform technical tasks in the field or within production plants. They may also perform a range of laboratory maintenance and office tasks.

The majority of their work involves a predictable flow of parallel or similar tasks within one scientific discipline. They:
perform straightforward technical tasks to prepare and test samples using relevant procedures, Australian standards and readily available advice. These tasks generally require close attention to detail and to the accuracy and precision of measurements. They may require the use of manual or semi-automated techniques
operate test equipment and instruments and make limited adjustments to their controls
process and record data and recognise trends and out of control conditions
solve predictable problems using clear information or known solutions. Where alternatives exist, they are limited and apparent
work under close and regular supervision, although they may have autonomy for specific tasks and responsibility for their own outputs
take decisions within defined limits of responsibility
work as part of a team.

Examples of the work of laboratory technician are given below.
A laboratory technician working at a dairy factory may gather samples from the milk tankers, vats and the processing line, and perform routine chemical and bacteriological tests on the samples.
A laboratory technician in a pathology laboratory may receive and prepares tissue samples.
A school laboratory technician may set up for classes, prepare chemicals and instruments for students to undertake practical work.

Application
This qualification is typically used to prepare new employees or develop the skills of existing workers performing a laboratory technician or instrument operator role across all industry sectors.
MSL30109 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills is designed to maximise the portability of this qualification, which is the entry level required for laboratory personnel across all industry sectors.
Training programs for this qualification are suitable to be undertaken as part of a formal training contract with an employer under an Australian Traineeship or Apprenticeship arrangement.

Additional qualification advice
Because specialisation is a requirement in some industry sectors for the Certificate III in Laboratory Skills, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) may choose to issue a generic:
Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
or, where elective units of competency are packaged to suit a particular industry sector or specialisation, RTOs might issue a:
Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
(specialising in xxxxxxx)
Industry sector/specialisations could include, but are not limited to:
construction materials testing
environmental monitoring
food testing
pathology testing
mineral assay
scientific glassblowing
wine testing.

It should be noted that a qualification with a specialisation does not change the title of the qualification, although RTOs may choose to record the specialisation. The AQTF requirements must be complied with and the qualification or Statement of Attainment should clearly specify the units of competency achieved and where appropriate, the specialisation.