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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 3.1) Training Package.

The Laboratory Operations Training Package MSL (release 3.1) includes 5 qualifications and 2 skill sets.

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 Pathways 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.

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

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

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

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
MSL30118 - Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
Annual Commencements	40	0	110	40	0	5	0	0
MSL40118 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
Annual Commencements	50	60	250	185	10	0	10	5
MSL50118 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology
Annual Commencements	30	35	40	30	5	0	5	10
MSL60118 - Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations
Annual Commencements	0	0	10	10	0	0	0	0

Commencement data source: National Apprentices and Trainees collection, VOCSTATS, extracted 12/07/2021, rounded estimates for January 2020 to December 2020. 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
MSL30118 - Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	24 mths	24 mths	24 mths	24 mths	24 mths	24 mths	24 mths	24 mths
Part Time
Classification	T	T	T	T	T	*	T	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	36 mths
Part Time
Classification	T	T	T	T	T	*	T	T
MSL50118 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	48 mths	48 mths	48 mths	36 mths	48 mths		48 mths	48 mths
Part Time
Classification	T	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
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).

Not what you're looking for?

Quick facts

Career information

Major Occupations Training

Food Testing Laboratory Assistant

Water Testing Laboratory Assistant

Laboratory Assistant

Construction Materials Testing Technical Assistant

School Science Laboratory Assistant

MSL20116 - Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement

Air Quality Sampler

Milk Tank Driver and Sampler

Quarry Aggregates Sampler

MSL20118 - Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement

Quarry Aggregates Sampler

Air Sampler/Tester

MSL30118 - Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

Water Testing Laboratory Assistant

School Science Laboratory Assistant

Laboratory Assistant

Construction Materials Testing Technical Assistant

Food Testing Laboratory Assistant

MSL40118 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

Manufacturing Testing Technician

Mineral Assay Technician

Environmental Technician

Construction Materials Testing Technician

MSL50118 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology

Biotechnology Technical Officer

Construction Materials Testing Technical Officer

Food Laboratory Technical Officer

Laboratory Technical Officer

Pathology Technical Officer

MSL60116 - Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations

Water Laboratory Supervisor

MSL60118 - Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations

Water Treatment Laboratory Supervisor

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Laboratory Operations MSL

Overview

Commencements

Availability & Duration

Australian School-based Apprenticeships

Quick facts

Career information

Major Occupations Training

Qualifications Summary

MSL20116 - Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement

MSL20118 - Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement

MSL30118 - Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

MSL40118 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

MSL50118 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology

MSL60116 - Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations

MSL60118 - Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations

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