Pathway Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:35 AM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Food

Food

Pathway
National Code
—
State Code
AE99
DTWD Status
Approved
Associated Qualification
Diploma of Laboratory Technology
National Code
MSL50122
State Code
BIX5
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
National Endorsed, State Implementation and Classification
Original TGA Release Date
20/12/2022
Field of Education
0199 - Other Natural And Physical Sciences
Approved Date
24/05/2023
Stream of Study
Initial Vocational (3100 - 3600)
Duration
2 Semesters
Current Release Version
1.00
Current Release Date
20/12/2022
Nominal Hours
1345
Description
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.

Workers contribute to the modification of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and enterprise methods when necessary and they may also have a role in the planning of schedules and monitoring of resources in their work area. Work is carried out according to established procedures, often under the management of laboratory or quality managers, or scientific/medical professionals.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements exist at the time of publication.
Packaging Rules
Total number of units = eighteen (18)
- five (5) core units
- thirteen (13) elective units, consisting of:
- at least seven (7) units from any of the elective lists below, including at least five (5) units coded at 5000 or above
- six (6) additional units from any of the elective lists below, any endorsed Training Package or accredited course - these units must be relevant to the work outcome.

Any combination of electives that meets the rules above can be selected for the award of the MSL50122 Diploma of Laboratory Technology.

Where appropriate, electives may be packaged to provide a qualification with a specialisation. Packaging for each specialisation:
- At least six (6) Group A electives must be selected for award of Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Pathology)
- At least six (6) Group B electives must be selected for award of the Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Chemistry)
- At least six (6) Group C electives must be selected for award of the Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Construction)
- At least six (6) Group D electives must be selected for award of the Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Food)
- At least six (6) Group E electives must be selected for award of the Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Biotechnology).

Units of competency that contain pre-requisites are identified within the Qualification Packaging Rules on the training.gov.au (TGA) website.
1. Core Units
All five (5) units must be completed.

Units of competency that contain pre-requisites are identified within the Qualification Packaging Rules on the training.gov.au (TGA) website.
State Code National Code Title Hours Type
OEY19 MSL934009 Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes 60 Unit of competency
OEX96 MSL934008 Maintain instruments and equipment 120 Unit of competency
OEX82 MSL935008 Monitor the quality of test results and data 45 Unit of competency
OEY08 MSL924005 Process and interpret data 60 Unit of competency
OEY01 MSL924006 Use laboratory application software 60 Unit of competency
2. Elective units: Group A – Pathology specialisation
At least six (6) Group A electives must be selected for award of Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Pathology).

Units of competency that contain pre-requisites are identified within the Qualification Packaging Rules on the training.gov.au (TGA) website.
State Code National Code Title Hours Type
OEY11 MSL975056 Perform advanced histological techniques 135 Unit of competency
OEY18 MSL974034 Perform biological procedures 120 Unit of competency
OEY15 MSL975064 Perform chemical pathology tests 120 Unit of competency
OEX67 MSL975063 Perform haematological tests 120 Unit of competency
OEX73 MSL975057 Perform histological tests 120 Unit of competency
OEX70 MSL975058 Perform immunohaematological tests 120 Unit of competency
OEX72 MSL975062 Perform microbiological tests 120 Unit of competency
OEX68 MSL975061 Perform molecular biology tests and procedures 120 Unit of competency
OEX69 MSL975060 Perform tissue or cell culture techniques 120 Unit of competency
OEX94 MSL954006 Relate anatomical and physiological features to laboratory samples 90 Unit of competency
3. Elective units: Group B – Chemistry specialisation
At least six (6) Group B electives must be selected for award of the Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Chemistry).

Units of competency that contain pre-requisites are identified within the Qualification Packaging Rules on the training.gov.au (TGA) website.
State Code National Code Title Hours Type
OEX99 MSL925005 Analyse measurements and estimate uncertainties 80 Unit of competency
OEX83 MSL975068 Apply complex instrumental techniques 120 Unit of competency
OEX86 MSL975066 Apply routine chromatographic techniques 120 Unit of competency
OEX78 MSL975070 Apply routine electrometric techniques 120 Unit of competency
OEX95 MSL975069 Apply routine spectrometric techniques 120 Unit of competency
OAC61 MSL935006 Assist in the maintenance of reference materials 60 Unit of competency
OEX97 MSL974032 Perform chemical tests and procedures 60 Unit of competency
OEY13 MSL975067 Perform complex tests to measure chemical properties of materials 120 Unit of competency
4. Elective units: Group C – Construction specialisation
At least six (6) Group C electives must be selected for award of the Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Construction).

Units of competency that contain pre-requisites are identified within the Qualification Packaging Rules on the training.gov.au (TGA) website.
State Code National Code Title Hours Type
OEX99 MSL925005 Analyse measurements and estimate uncertainties 80 Unit of competency
OAC53 MSL975055 Classify building sites 60 Unit of competency
OAC68 MSL974028 Classify soils 80 Unit of competency
OAC41 MSL974018 Conduct geotechnical site investigations 50 Unit of competency
OBW98 RIISTD401 Monitor quarry laboratory operations and the quality of results 55 Unit of competency
OEY14 MSL954007 Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan 45 Unit of competency
OAC31 MSL975044 Perform complex tests to measure engineering properties of materials 120 Unit of competency
OAC79 MSL974016 Perform physical and mechanical tests 125 Unit of competency
OAC40 MSL974026 Perform tests to determine the properties of construction materials 80 Unit of competency
OAC07 MSL975051 Supervise geotechnical site investigations 70 Unit of competency
OEX76 MSL975059 Supervise sampling, inspections and testing at construction sites 70 Unit of competency
5. Elective units: Group D – Food specialisation
At least six (6) Group D electives must be selected for award of the Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Food).

Units of competency that contain pre-requisites are identified within the Qualification Packaging Rules on the training.gov.au (TGA) website.
State Code National Code Title Hours Type
OEX86 MSL975066 Apply routine chromatographic techniques 120 Unit of competency
OEX95 MSL975069 Apply routine spectrometric techniques 120 Unit of competency
OAC48 MSL975038 Conduct sensory analysis 60 Unit of competency
OAN81 FBPFST5005 Examine the biochemical properties of food 70 Unit of competency
ODM07 FBPFSY3003 Monitor the implementation of food safety and quality programs 90 Unit of competency
OEX97 MSL974032 Perform chemical tests and procedures 60 Unit of competency
OEY04 MSL975071 Perform food analyses 120 Unit of competency
OEY02 MSL974033 Perform food tests 60 Unit of competency
OAM18 FBPFST4004 Perform microbiological procedures in the food industry 50 Unit of competency
OAB94 MSL975032 Provide input to production trials 120 Unit of competency
6. Electives units: Group E – Biotechnology specialisation
At least six (6) Group E electives must be selected for award of the Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Biotechnology).

Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
State Code National Code Title Hours Type
OEX91 MSL975065 Apply electrophoretic techniques 120 Unit of competency
OEX86 MSL975066 Apply routine chromatographic techniques 120 Unit of competency
OEX95 MSL975069 Apply routine spectrometric techniques 120 Unit of competency
OEX97 MSL974032 Perform chemical tests and procedures 60 Unit of competency
OEX72 MSL975062 Perform microbiological tests 120 Unit of competency
OEX68 MSL975061 Perform molecular biology tests and procedures 120 Unit of competency
OEX69 MSL975060 Perform tissue or cell culture techniques 120 Unit of competency
7. Other Electives
Up to thirteen (13) units may be selected from this group
State Code National Code Title Hours Type
OEX98 MSL925006 Analyse data and report results 120 Unit of competency
OAC61 MSL935006 Assist in the maintenance of reference materials 60 Unit of competency
OAC27 MSL935005 Authorise the issue of test results 50 Unit of competency
OAB99 MSL973021 Conduct field-based acceptance tests for construction materials 50 Unit of competency
OAC92 MSL973022 Conduct laboratory-based acceptance tests for construction materials 45 Unit of competency
OAC70 MSL905005 Create or modify calibration procedures 80 Unit of competency
OAC19 MSL975042 Design and supervise complex environmental field surveys 120 Unit of competency
OAN89 FBPFSY5001 Develop a HACCP-based food safety plan 60 Unit of competency
OEY17 MSL916011 Develop and maintain laboratory documentation 40 Unit of competency
AWC68 MSMENV472 Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices 40 Unit of competency
OAC49 MSL975052 Locate, record and collect forensic samples 80 Unit of competency
OEY10 MSL916014 Maintain compliance in work or functional area 40 Unit of competency
OEY16 MSL916012 Manage and develop teams 40 Unit of competency
OEY07 MSL916015 Manage complex projects 60 Unit of competency
OAC26 MSL975041 Perform fire assay techniques 120 Unit of competency
OAC83 MSL973023 Perform fire pouring techniques 45 Unit of competency
OEX89 MSL973028 Perform microscopic examination 40 Unit of competency
OAC67 MSL905004 Perform non-standard calibrations 60 Unit of competency
OEY23 MSL904003 Perform standard calibrations 60 Unit of competency
OEX87 MSL973027 Perform techniques that prevent cross-contamination 40 Unit of competency
OAC02 MSL975043 Prepare animal and plant material for display 120 Unit of competency
OEX79 MSL974036 Process body fluid specimens using a point of care testing device 70 Unit of competency
OAC80 MSL915003 Provide information to customers 60 Unit of competency
OAC06 MSL915004 Schedule laboratory work for a small team 60 Unit of competency
OEY12 MSL916013 Supervise laboratory operations in work or functional area 40 Unit of competency
OEX93 MSL974037 Triage and allocate tissue specimens 25 Unit of competency
OAC28 MSL974022 Undertake environmental field-based monitoring 60 Unit of competency
OEX66 MSL975072 Use surgical cut-up techniques for non-complex tissue specimens 110 Unit of competency
OEX74 MSL974038 Use techniques to complete simple tissue specimen transfers 55 Unit of competency
No information
Note
The Food specialisation focuses on developing the analytical and technical skills needed to work in food testing and quality assurance environments. Learners explore microbiological and biochemical aspects of food, conduct chemical and sensory analyses, and apply a range of routine laboratory techniques used in the food industry, including chromatographic and spectrometric methods. The stream also covers the practical implementation and monitoring of food-safety and quality programs, as well as contributing to production trials. Overall, this specialisation equips students to assess the safety, quality, and composition of food products using both established and advanced laboratory methods.
Entry Requirements
Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who:
hold a Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
OR
hold a Certificate IV or higher-level qualification in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) discipline
OR
can provide evidence of technical laboratory skills, knowledge and employment experience.
No information