Qualification Outline
21/07/2026 11:42 PM 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.
Certificate IV in Embalming
Certificate IV in Embalming
SIF40213
J614
Current
Approved
National Endorsed, State Implementation and Classification
Releases
| Release Version | Release Date | TGA Status | DTWD Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.00 | 13/08/2025 | Current | Approved |
| 4.00 | 04/04/2022 | Replaced | Approved |
| 3.00 | 18/03/2021 | Replaced | Approved |
| 2.00 | 09/07/2015 | Replaced | Approved |
| 1.00 | 10/10/2013 | Replaced | Approved |
Description
This qualification reflects the role of individuals who perform a range of specialised embalming procedures in a mortuary or funeral home mortuary.
Individuals in this role work relatively autonomously and may have limited responsibility for the coordination, training and supervision of others.
Embalmers require theoretical knowledge in anatomy, physiology, chemistry and biology as well as specialist technical skills to sanitise, present and preserve a deceased person of predictable and unpredictable causes as part of the embalming process.
There are 0 minimum work placement hours required for this unit.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication, however, the following requirement applies to the embalming of bodies in NSW:
Under a NSW public health regulation relating to the disposal of bodies, a person must not embalm a body unless that person has a certificate of proficiency of, or equivalent to, a Certificate IV [Embalming] standard issued by an institute approved by the Director-General of the NSW Department of Health. Candidates in NSW should seek advice from the NSW Department of Health for a current list of approved providers.
The volume of learning of a Certificate IV is typically 0.5 - 2 years.
Schedule
Packaging Rules
Twenty two (22) units must be completed:- nineteen (19) core units
- three (3) elective units consisting of:
- a minimum of two (2) elective units must be selected from the elective units list
- a maximum of one (1) elective unit, first packaged at AQF level 3, 4 or 5, may be selected from elsewhere in SIF Funeral Services Training Package, or any other current Training Package or accredited course. Refer to the AQF packaging of Funeral Services units in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.
In all cases, selection of electives must be guided by the job outcome, local industry requirements and the characteristics of this qualification (as per the AQF descriptors).
1. Core Units
All nineteen (19) units must be completed
2. Elective Units
At least two (2) of the three (3) units required must be chosen from the elective units list.
Please refer to the Training Package for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WG623 | SIFXADQ001 | Control and order goods | 35 | Unit of competency |
| WG606 | SIFEMWK004 | Coordinate mortuary operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
| WG635 | SIFXMGT001 | Coordinate teams | 20 | Unit of competency |
| WG922 | SIFEMWK019 | Design a mortuary | 50 | Unit of competency |
| WG640 | SIFXMPR002 | Make presentations to community groups | 40 | Unit of competency |
| WG634 | SIFXIND004 | Participate in industry networks | 20 | Unit of competency |
| WG641 | SIFXMPR003 | Prepare and conduct tours | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCD30 | HLTAID011 | Provide First Aid | 18 | Unit of competency |
| OEM01 | TAEDEL311 | Provide work skill instruction | 40 | Unit of competency |
| WG612 | SIFEWHS002 | Review and develop mortuary work health and safety policies and procedures | 30 | Unit of competency |
| WG637 | SIFXMGT003 | Supervise staff | 35 | Unit of competency |
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D341 | SIF40208 | Certificate IV in Embalming | Qualification |
VET Info Notes
1. This qualification is the copyright of Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
2. Further information on this qualification is contained in the training Package available from the National Register Training.gov.au.
3. This qualification was entered onto STARS on 9/12/2013.
Entry Requirements
N/A
Traineeships and Apprenticeships
Part-time is defined as a minimum of 20 hours per week.