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Laboratory Operations MSL

Overview

Commencements

Availability & Duration

Australian School-based Apprenticeships

Overview

These cross industry qualifications apply to manufacturing testing, food testing, bio-medical laboratories, pathology testing, defence laboratories, biotechnology, construction materials testing, mineral assay, environmental testing/monitoring and scientific glassblowing areas of work.

‘Health’, ‘Food Processing’, ’Resources and Infrastructure’ and ‘Manufacturing’ are associated industries.

Quick facts

The training units of competent structure and packing rules are detailed in Training Package documents.

The information provided here includes the most recent changes from the MSL (release 2.0) Training Package.

The Laboratory Operations Training Package MSL (release 2.0) includes 5 qualifications and 1 skill set.

Registered Training Organisations can access the full details of this Training Package from the
training.gov.au website.

Career information

Qualification and job outcome information is also presented in a Job Pathway Chart.

For specific industry information click here.

More detail of how training works can be accessed here: for employers; for potential employees.

Use the My Skills site to search for Registered Training Organisations registered to deliver courses. Each State and Territory separately approves Registered Training Organisations to deliver apprenticeships and traineeships in their jurisdiction.

Major Occupations Training
Technical Assistant (Manufacturing Testing)
Pathology Laboratory Technical Assistant
Technical Assistant (Mineral Assay)
Technical Assistant (Environmental Testing)
Technical Assistant (Construction Material Testing)

Qualifications Summary

MSL20116 - Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement

This qualification is suitable for those who perform a range of sampling and measurement activities as part of laboratory, production or field operations in the construction, manufacturing, resources and environmental industry sectors.

Air Quality Sampler
Milk Tank Driver and Sampler
Quarry Aggregates Sampler

MSL20118 - Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement

This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to perform a range of sampling and measurement activities as part of laboratory, production or field operations in the construction, manufacturing, resources and environmental industry sectors.

Quarry Aggregates Sampler
Air Sampler/Tester

MSL30116 - Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to perform a limited range of laboratory operations across all industry sectors and is the entry level required for laboratory personnel across all industry sectors. Lab 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. 

Technical Assistant (Construction Materials)
Dairy Food Laboratory Assistant
Food Laboratory Assistant
Pathology Laboratory Assistant
School Laboratory Assistant
Water Testing Laboratory Assistant

MSL30118 - Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to perform a limited range of laboratory operations across all industry sectors and is the entry level required for laboratory personnel across all industry sectors. Employment outcomes targeted by this qualification include laboratory technicians, instrument operators and similar personnel.

Water Testing Laboratory Assistant
School Science Laboratory Assistant
Laboratory Assistant
Construction Materials Testing Technical Assistant
Food Testing Laboratory Assistant

MSL40116 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to perform a range of laboratory techniques to conduct tests and sampling in a variety of industry sectors. Technical assistants undertake a wide range of sampling and testing that requires the application of a broad range of technical skills and some scientific knowledge. 

Technical Assistant (Construction Material Testing)
Technical Assistant (Environmental Testing)
Technical Assistant (Manufacturing Testing)
Technical Assistant (Mineral Assay)
Pathology Laboratory Technical Assistant

MSL40118 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

This qualification reflects the role of workers who perform a range of laboratory techniques, including manual, semi-automated and fully automated, to collect and prepare samples in a laboratory. They conduct a wide range of basic, and limited range of specialist tests across a variety of industry sectors. Workers may be required to assist other personnel to solve technical problems and to adjust formulations and production mixes. They may also train them to collect samples and conduct basic tests reliably.

Manufacturing Testing Technician
Mineral Assay Technician
Environmental Technician
Construction Materials Testing Technician

MSL50116 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology

 This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to apply a range of laboratory technologies to conduct scientific-technical tests and sampling in most industry sectors. Technical officers conduct a wide range of sampling and testing that requires the application of broad scientific-technical knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in some areas.

Food Laboratory Technical Officer
Calibration Officer
Pathology Laboratory Technical Officer

MSL50118 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology

This qualification reflects the role of workers who apply a range of laboratory technologies to conduct scientific-technical tests in most industry sectors, utilising specialist technical knowledge. They conduct a wide range of routine and complex, specialised tests where atypical samples may be involved and the instrumentation used has a wide range of operating variables. Workers communicate sample requirements to other personnel and may liaise with suppliers to troubleshoot product non-conformance. They may also demonstrate methods to others and train team members to collect samples and conduct basic tests reliably.

Biotechnology Technical Officer
Construction Materials Testing Technical Officer
Food Laboratory Technical Officer
Laboratory Technical Officer
Pathology Technical Officer

MSL60116 - Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations

This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to supervise laboratory operations within a work area or project team. Senior technicians or laboratory supervisors are generally responsible for the planning, allocation of tasks, coordination, quality assurance, recording and reporting of laboratory outputs within their section. 

Water Laboratory Supervisor

MSL60118 - Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations

This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to supervise laboratory operations within a work area or project team. Employment outcomes targeted by this qualification include laboratory supervisors, senior technical officers and similar personnel.

Water Treatment Laboratory Supervisor

Note: Employers should be aware that this information is provided as a guide only to the content and use of the Training Package. Employers should seek advice from an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (Apprenticeship Network) provider or Registered Training Organisation for more detail.

Commencements
  NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
MSL30116 - Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
Annual Commencements 10 0 60 25 0 0 0 5
MSL40116 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
Annual Commencements 70 30 95 70 5 0 5 10
MSL50116 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology
Annual Commencements 5 0 5 10 0 0 0 0

Commencement data source: National Apprentices and Trainees collection, VOCSTATS, extracted 28/03/2019, rounded estimates for October 2017 to September 2018. Qualifications with no recorded commencements may not appear. This data is for general information purposes only.

Availability and Duration
  NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
MSL20116 - Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

 12 mths 12 mths
Part Time
Classification T * T
MSL20118 - Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

 12 mths 12 mths 12 mths
Part Time
Classification T T * T
MSL30116 - Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

 24 mths
Part Time
Classification * T
MSL30118 - Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths
Part Time
Classification T T T T T * T
MSL40116 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

 36 mths
Part Time
Classification * T
MSL40118 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

 36 mths 36 mths 36 mths 24 mths 36 mths 36 mths 36 mths
Part Time
Classification T T T T T * T
MSL50116 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

 48 mths
Part Time
Classification * T
MSL50118 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 36 mths 48 mths 48 mths
Part Time
Classification T T T T T * T
MSL60116 - Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

 24 mths
Part Time
Classification T *
MSL60118 - Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths
Part Time
Classification T T T * T

Legend: = Yes, = No, A = identified by the State or Territory as an Apprenticeship, T = identified by the State or Territory as a Traineeship, * = An approved qualification in Tasmania is available as an Apprenticeship/Traineeship.

Availability of Australian Apprenticeships and Nominal Duration (in months)
A Qualification registered by a State or Territory as available as an Australian Apprenticeship may not be eligible for public funding support, check with the relevant State or Territory Training Authority.

Nominal durations listed are for full time occuptations, stated in months. In some cases nominal durations provided may not include the completion of pre-requisites. This data is sourced from State and Territory Training Authorities and is provided for information only and must be confirmed with these authorities.

Australian School-based Apprenticeships
  NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
MSL20116 - Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement
Availability
MSL20118 - Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement
Availability
MSL30116 - Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
Availability
MSL30118 - Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
Availability
MSL40118 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
Availability
MSL50118 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology
Availability
MSL60118 - Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations
Availability

Legend: = Yes, = No

This information generally reflects availability of ASbAs that may contribute to study scores. In some cases ASbAs allow an individual to start training in a qualification that can be completed after they leave secondary school. Australian Apprenticeships may also be undertaken as part-time employment. Please note that applicable industrial arrangements must allow for ASbAs. Visit the relevant State or Territory website for more detailed information (click on the State or Territory link provided).

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