Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that involves assessment of an individual’s relevant prior learning and experience (including skills and knowledge obtained through formal and informal learning) to determine the extent to which the individual meets the specified national standards for this qualification.
The HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting can also be completed through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment pathway. Applicants with prior skills, knowledge and competencies are supported to seek recognition of prior learning to process through the training.
RPL is ideal for:
Recognition of Existing Skills and Knowledge
RPL applicants complete the assessment requirements by demonstrating their existing skills and knowledge through evidence that meets the Rules of Evidence: valid, sufficient, authentic, and current.
Examples of acceptable evidence include:
Employment history and position descriptions that clearly show your role and responsibilities in a dental practice
Workplace documents such as logs, checklists, policies, or procedure records that reflect your actual work tasks
Photos, videos, or recorded demonstrations that show you performing required skills in a real workplace setting
Third-party reports or supervisor declarations verifying your competency and workplace performance
Records of previous training or certificates that support the skills and knowledge you currently hold
Third-party reports or supervisor declarations verifying your competency and workplace performance
All evidence submitted will be reviewed by an assessor to confirm that it meets the required.
If your evidence shows full competency, no additional training is required.
RPL ensures your skills are current and aligned with industry expectations. As part of the process, you may be required to participate in:
Completing this qualification through RPL provides you with the same credential as traditional learners.
If you meet the RPL requirements for some, but not all, of the units in this qualification, the evidence you provide can still significantly reduce your overall study load. Any units where competency is not yet demonstrated will simply require gap training and assessment targeted to the specific knowledge or skill areas identified.
This means you only complete the training you genuinely need, enabling you to:
This blended approach ensures you receive full recognition for your existing experience while still meeting all competency requirements for the Certificate III in Dental Assisting.
For experienced dental staff, RPL offers the fastest pathway to qualification.
This pathway is particularly useful for individuals already working as:
Students who complete our course will gain the skills and hands-on experience to step into a Sterilisation Nurse role within 6–8 weeks, and develop into a confident, work-ready Dental Assistant within just 6 months.
There are no formal entry requirements stipulated in the Training Package, however, international students must meet the following requirements:
Minimum age of entry 18 years old.
All applicants must complete an LLN assessment and achieve:
You must meet domestic enrollment requirements. You will need to be a permanent Australian resident or equivalent.
RPL applicants must still have access to basic technology to upload evidence, complete gap tasks (if needed), and communicate with assessors.
You will need:
RPL graduates may continue into:
Further training or workplace learning can lead to roles in:
Some graduates choose to progress into:
This qualification can support future study in:
The Certificate III requires 10 units (8 core, 2 elective). RPL applicants must provide evidence for competency in each unit.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for workers to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others.
The unit applies to all workers who require knowledge of workplace health and safety (WHS) to carry out their own work, either under direct supervision or with some individual responsibility.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for workers to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others.
The unit applies to all workers who require knowledge of workplace health and safety (WHS) to carry out their own work, either under direct supervision or with some individual responsibility.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to clean, sterilise and package reusable medical devices and equipment.
This unit applies to workers in office based health practice settings such as general practitioner (GP) surgeries, dental practices and other environments where a limited range of sterilisation equipment may be available. They follow established procedures and work under general supervision.
This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to prepare the dental surgery including equipment, instruments and materials, for dental procedures and assist the practitioner during dental procedures.
This unit applies to dental assisting work under the instruction and supervision of the dental practitioner.
This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to prepare patients for dental radiography. It also describes the skills and knowledge to process and mount conventional dental radiographs.
This unit applies to dental assisting work under the instruction and supervision of the dental practitioner.
This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required for a dental assistant to assist the practitioner by managing appointments to suit the patient and the organisation, recording and reconciling payments, and maintaining patient records.
This unit applies to dental assistants who assist with administration in dental practice.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, management and other industry providers.
This unit applies to a range of health and community service contexts where workers may communicate face-to-face, in writing or using digital media and work with limited responsibility under direct or indirect supervision.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide oral hygiene information and instruction to patients to promote and support effective home care oral health practices. The skills and knowledge will enable the candidate to provide instruction on oral hygiene techniques and accurate selection of basic oral hygiene products and aids for individual patient needs.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies.
The unit applies to all persons who may be required to provide a first aid response in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings.Specific licensing/regulatory requirements relating to this competency, including requirements for refresher training should be obtained from the relevant national/state/territory Work Health and Safety Regulatory Authorities.
* Please note that if you choose HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid as one of your elective units, it must be completed through an external RTO. Go Educate can assist by recommending approved providers; however, the cost of this external unit is not included in your course fees.
Once you have completed the First Aid course, you will need to submit a copy of your certificate so we can process a Credit Transfer. If you complete the unit through a provider of your own choice, a certified copy of the certificate will be required.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to select and use software and organise electronic information and data.
The unit applies to those who use a limited range of practical skills with a fundamental knowledge of equipment use and the organisation of data in a defined context, under direct supervision or with limited individual responsibility.
(Your elective combination may vary depending on your enrolment.)
If you choose to complete RPL for only a selection of units, such as Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) units like HLTINF002, HLTINF006, and HLTWHS001, or any other units as required, you will be issued a Statement of Attainment.
This document formally acknowledges your successful completion of these accredited units of study. Please note that a Statement of Attainment does not represent a full qualification, but it can be used to demonstrate your competence in the specific units you have completed.
10 units
The timeframe for completing an RPL assessment varies for each student. It depends on submission and collection of evidence for formal and informal learning, your completion of any required knowledge assessments, and the time needed for the assessor to review and finalise your application.
Certificate III in Certificate III in Dental Assisting
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FAQ
Please read the full details of the course you wish to apply for as well as our downloadable handbook for enrolment details.
While we do not guarantee employment or work placements after graduation, we provide guidance and resources to help you prepare for the workforce, including career advice, resume tips, and information about potential opportunities in the dental assisting field.
We offer a range of flexible payment options for our courses. For details on available plans and methods, please visit our Payment Options page.
Yes, you can see them under the Recognition of Prior Learning course section on this page.
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