New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing – Healthcare Assistance Strand (Level 3)
Apply NowPlease note: Enrolments for 2025 have closed. We welcome all applications for January 2026. Apply HERE.
The aim of this program is to develop professional, ethical and highly capable Healthcare Assistants who have a strong foundation of knowledge and practice. Students will become responsive to the changing needs of their clients, and be able to provide outstanding person-centred care under the leadership of a health professional.
This course offers an in-depth view of the role, professional identity and professional boundaries of a Healthcare Assistant. It explores the importance of Healthcare Assistants operating within their scope of practice, not only for the client’s safety, but for their own safety as well. The course also explores what it is to be a professional and ethical carer, who adheres to the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights, ensuring client rights are upheld in a respectful and dignified manner at all times.
Change is inevitable, but there are many who feel uncomfortable, scared or frustrated with change and its associated effects on health and wellbeing. This course explores the nature of change within a healthcare context, with a focus on recognising and responding to change, environmental factors and strategies Healthcare Assistants can use to support their clients through change.
This course introduces you to key principles of person-centred care and relates them to the highly practical aspects of being a Healthcare Assistant. This course is heavily skills focussed, outlining specific practice processes associated with personal cares, and identifying opportunities to apply person-centred principles within practice.
This course explores several of the most common health conditions Healthcare Assistants are likely to encounter in their role. It provides an overview of a range of conditions and different care strategies Healthcare Assistants can apply when caring for clients with these conditions.
This course explores the role of the Healthcare Assistant in identifying, monitoring and responding to signs of vulnerability and potential or actual abuse with clients. Due to the nature of Healthcare Assistants as frontline health practitioners, they can observe and monitor for these signs. This course also focuses on the reporting role and processes Healthcare Assistants can take.
Often, it can be more efficient for Healthcare Assistants to complete tasks for the client rather than with the client. This course explores the importance of Healthcare Assistants maximising independence, and empowering clients to either attempt to, or fully complete tasks independently. Principles of task adaptation, coaching, education, and collaboration are discussed, and the application of assistive devices is explored to support clients towards greater independence.
This course explores the role of family/whānau in contributing to positive health outcomes for clients, along with strategies for the Healthcare Assistant to foster and maintain this involvement.
This course cultivates the ability to identify health and safety risks in a healthcare setting, and considers the role of a Healthcare Assistant in responding to, or ultimately preventing these risks. It includes specialised focus on the risk of falls in a healthcare setting, as well as infection control principles and how to deal with potential infection outbreaks.
Providing care that clients consider to be culturally appropriate and safe is integral to the role of a Healthcare Assistant. Within the context of our multicultural world, this course explores the concepts of cultural diversity and cultural competence, and the associated strategies to support these. It also identifies Māori and Pasifika operating principles and how these apply to practice, and prompts you to consider your own cultural background and how it might impact on your practice.
This course encourages you to examine the application of theoretical knowledge of person-centred care to practice. You are prompted to consider best practice techniques within the context of familiar care scenarios, and examine your own thinking in regards to person-centred healthcare provision.
Academic Entry
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) – Healthcare Assistance Strand has open entry.
Domestic applicants need to be a minimum of 16 years old prior to starting the program. International applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age prior to starting the program.
All applicants must take Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool.
All applicants must provide a completed Workplace Support Form at time of application.
All applicants must declare any physical or learning disability, or diverse needs that may impact on their performance as a student.
Note: Detailed academic entry criteria is determined by our admissions team.
English Language Entry
International applicants must provide evidence of meeting English language requirements according to Rule 22 of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority Programme Approval, Recognition, and Accreditation Rules 2025. Details of these requirements can be found HERE.
If at any point in the selection process New Zealand Tertiary College holds concerns about an applicant’s English language competency, the College will require the applicant to provide evidence of meeting English language requirements.
All students will be required to complete 100 hours of work placement throughout the program.
Blended learning
Blending the flexibility of online learning with practical experience and face-to-face engagement, all students access the learning management system (NZTC Online) for course materials, research and support materials, and assessment submission and return.
2026 | |
January 2026 intakes: | Monday 5 January 2026 |
2026 Fees NZD
To be confirmed.
Please note: These fees are approximate and based upon a full-time course load for each program of study. After you have applied and been accepted we will send you an invoice with the final cost of your tuition fees.The following fees are also required:
Student Fee Insurance $50
Covers the insurance to protect student fees. The fee is based upon one stage of study.Student ID card $30
One off payment at beginning of study. Students must submit a photo for a student card to be produced. Replacement cards for lost or stolen cards are $30.Police Vetting Fee $25
One off payment at beginning of study.NZQA Reporting Fee $10
Covers the cost of reporting qualification to NZQA.
If you are applying for Credit Recognition and Transfer (CRT):
CRT Assessment Fee $95
The fee is non-refundable even if no CRT credit is awarded.
NZTC qualifications have been designed to link easily into each other, providing you with a flexible range of pathway options into higher level study.Upon completion of the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing – Health Assistance Strand (Level 3) you may be eligible to apply for the following program. Entry criteria will apply.
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing
(Advanced Care and Support) (Level 4)
Download our Health & Wellbeing Prospectus
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Simply fill out a few details below. From there, you can either go straight to our full application form or wait for one of our team to get in contact with you in the next few days.
If you're an international student, you can apply online with our online application form. Click here to apply as an international student.