Delve into the world of science and develop the knowledge and skills to become a laboratory technician.
As a laboratory technician, you’ll be able to conduct tests for pathologists, biochemists, clinical chemists, pharmacologists, veterinarians, microbiologists and bacteriologists. You’ll also be able to apply your knowledge of living systems to work toward solving important issues, such as controlling disease and making the environment safer.
You will provide technical support to scientists working in research, production and testing roles. Under supervision, you’ll get to examine changes in cells and tissues, perform chemical analyses of blood and other body fluids, and assist with research.
With this qualification, you’ll be able to work in hospitals, research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, private pathology laboratories, commercial laboratories and government departments.
Work with the latest industry-standard equipment, gaining plenty of hands-on, practical experience.
Take the opportunity to gain professional experience within a laboratory before you graduate.
Join the Australian Society for Microbiology, AusBiotech, and the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.
As a qualified laboratory technician, you'll have the skills to conduct tests for a variety of science and health professionals, and use your knowledge to help people and the environment.
In this course, you will develop the transferable skills that will give you career options in a range of science and biomedical settings.
Your classes will be small groups to help maximise your time with teachers and staff.
Our labs have the latest industry-standard equipment, and classes are structured to give you plenty of opportunity to gain hands-on, practical experience.
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches, including tutorials, practical laboratories, presentations, and group discussions. You'll have access to online resources through the student portal.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes, knowledge tests, presentations, group projects, research projects, laboratory reports and practical skills tests.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes tests, presentations, group projects, laboratory reports and demonstration of laboratory skills.
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.
As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:
RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.
Students can choose to undertake industry placement as one of their elective subjects, giving you the opportunity to gain professional experience within a laboratory before you graduate.
This course is competency-based and has been designed to help you develop the practical skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in your chosen field. You will learn and be assessed by practising and demonstrating your capabilities, all of which can be readily applied in the workplace.
In addition to the specific vocational skills you build throughout this course, you will also develop a set of essential employability skills, including communication, planning, organising, and problem solving, self-management, initiative and teamwork. These foundational skills will enable you to navigate the world of work, collaborate effectively with others, and successfully get the job done.
In this diploma, you will complete 5 core subjects and 13 electives that will build specialised vocational skills in laboratory techniques.
You'll develop core knowledge in:
In your electives, you'll undertake specialised courses such as haematology, microbiology, chemical pathology, molecular biology, analysing data and environmental sustainability. You will also be given a choice to study either histological tests or electrophoretic techniques.
You will undertake 80 hours of work placement with an industry laboratory under supervision. You will be expected to self-source your placement with guidance and assistance from our placement coordinator. This will ensure you will be prepared for the workplace. Many students are offered employment from their placement.
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
International student visa holders can only study full-time.
As a graduate of this course, you’ll be qualified to work as a technician in pathology and research laboratories, providing services and support for diagnostic screening, medical research, vaccine production, agriculture, commercial plant propagation, microbiology, and more.
The course has strong links with industry (including private pathology laboratories, hospital pathology laboratories research and testing laboratories) through the student work placement, regular student/staff visits to laboratories and the Industry Advisory Committee (IAC). Laboratories actively recruit RMIT student graduates.
Graduates are eligible for membership with the Australian Society for Microbiology, AusBiotech, and the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists.
You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.
You must have:
Applicants applying on a basis of entry other than successful completion of MSL40122 or MSL40118 Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques from RMIT may be required to complete one or more prerequisite units which will extend the total duration of your studies. Further information is provided at the time of enrolment.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this course.
You must have successfully completed the Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques at RMIT University (or equivalent).
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
Note: RMIT does not accept scores from 'at-home' or 'online' testing.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English Language Pathways (Academic English) Advanced at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
By understanding the types of activities you'll participate in, you can:
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there is a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities.
Please contact the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team to discuss any adjustments you may require. To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS.
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your course so that you can participate fully in your studies.
The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.
This program includes practical placement.
You must hold a Victorian Working with Children Check valid for 5 years, prior to undertaking clinical components as part of this course.
Note: For clinical components undertaken interstate, a valid Working With Children Check for that state is required.
You must present evidence of a successful Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this course.
Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks are conducted via fit2work. An account with fit2work will be created using your name and RMIT-issued student email address once you have commenced your studies. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
A pathway is an alternative way to get into a course. RMIT's pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for, even if you don't meet the requirements for your destination course.
This course has pathways available.
The Diploma of Laboratory Technology provides credit and guaranteed entry into further study.
You are guaranteed entry to the Diploma of Laboratory Technology when you successfully complete the Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques.
Alternatively, you can gain entry from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study courses.
You are guaranteed entry to one of the following programs with two semesters of credit* (equivalent to 96 credit points) when you successfully complete the Diploma of Laboratory Technology including the elective course ONPS7816C Perform histological tests:
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry to other RMIT vocational study or undergraduate study courses.
*Based on full-time study load of 96 credit points per year. Individual circumstances may vary and please be aware that not all courses are offered each semester. These circumstances may affect the total duration of a program.
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.
When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.
The tuition fees you will pay depends on your eligibility for government subsidies.
Not sure which fee type applies to you? Learn more and check your eligibility.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
You may be eligible for a fee concession if you hold a valid Commonwealth Health Care Card, Pensioner Card, or Veteran's Gold Card, or are enrolled in the Asylum Seeker VET program. Find out more about fee concessions.
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$10,000.00
Tuition fees after government subsidy
|
Tuition fees after government subsidy
|
$10,000.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$373.00
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$373.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$10,373.00
Includes all fees listed above
|
$10,373.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $7.15 per nominal hour ($11,011.00 total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$20,500.00
The total tuition fee you will be charged for a full-fee place
|
The total tuition fee you will be charged for a full-fee place
|
$20,500.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$373.00
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$373.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$20,873.00
Includes all fees listed above
|
$20,873.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $ per nominal hour ($ total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$0.00
Tuition fees exempt for eligible students in a government subsidised place
|
Tuition fees exempt for eligible students in a government subsidised place
|
$0.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$0.00
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$0.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$0.00
Includes all fees listed above
|
$0.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $7.15 per nominal hour ($11,011.00 total).
Generated on 23 July 2026 | RMIT University's Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Code is 3046 | Payment and refund information
VET Student Loan cap for Diploma of Laboratory Technology (C5434): $19290
Any tuition fees above the cap must be paid upfront to RMIT by their due date. Caps are indexed annually by the Commonwealth Government. Eligibility applies.
Learn about eligibility for VSL|
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$0
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$0
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$ per nominal hour ($ total).
Choose the specific course plan to see relevant fee information:
VET Student Loan cap for (): $
Any tuition fees above the cap must be paid upfront to RMIT by their due date. Caps are indexed annually by the Commonwealth Government. Eligibility applies.
Learn about eligibility for VSLIn addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2027 is $386.
Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.
Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures
