Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

This qualification reflects the role of workers who perform a limited range of laboratory operations and is the entry-level qualification required for laboratory personnel across all industry sectors. Job roles include laboratory technicians, instrument operators and similar personnel.

Laboratory technicians perform straightforward laboratory work involving a predictable flow of parallel or similar tasks, usually within one scientific discipline. They follow set procedures and recipes using well- developed technical skills and basic scientific knowledge. Technicians generally work inside a laboratory but may also perform technical tasks in the field or within production plants. They may also perform laboratory maintenance and office tasks.

Laboratory technicians:

• 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.

• Laboratory Technician
• Medical Laboratory Scientist
• Laboratory Manager