Short Courses & Skill Sets
Fast-track your skills. Strengthen your future.
Not every career step needs a full qualification. HITsa’s short courses and skill sets are a great way to try an industry before committing to a longer course. They are practical, focused and designed to build real workplace skills in a short time.
Whether you’re starting something new, updating your skills or meeting job requirements, these programs help you take the next step with confidence.
What are short courses?
Short courses are focused training programs that build specific workplace skills. They are a good option if you:
Want to gain skills quickly
Need training to meet industry requirements
Are returning to work
Want to try a new industry before starting a full qualification
Want to improve your chances of getting a job
Many of our short courses are nationally recognised and can count toward further study in the future.
What are skill sets?
Skill sets are small groups of nationally recognised units taken from full qualifications. They focus on specific skills within an industry.
Skill sets are a good option if you:
Already work in the industry and want to build specialised skills
Need training for a specific role
Must complete certain units for compliance
Want a step toward a full qualification
If you decide to continue studying, your skill set may count toward a full qualification.
Short Courses and Skillsets
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Health →
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Hospitality →
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Retail →
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Food Industry →
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Childcare →
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Business →
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Cleaning →
Health
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The Provide First Aid course gives you the knowledge and practical skills to respond confidently in emergency situations. This nationally recognised training teaches you how to give first aid, perform CPR and manage different types of incidents in line with current Australian guidelines. It is suitable for workplaces, community settings and anyone who wants to feel prepared to act quickly when it matters most.
Career pathways: Required in many industries, including education, healthcare, construction, retail and hospitality.
Industry demand: There is high demand in both city and regional workplaces, where first aid certification is often required or strongly recommended.
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This nationally recognised CPR course gives you the skills and confidence to act quickly in a cardiac or breathing emergency. You’ll learn how to perform CPR, use an automated external defibrillator (AED), and care for an unconscious person until help arrives. It’s ideal for workplaces, community settings and anyone who needs to renew their CPR each year.
Career pathways: Required or highly valued in healthcare, aged care, early childhood education, community services, fitness, hospitality, construction, retail and many other frontline roles.
Industry demand: There is strong and ongoing demand in both city and regional areas, as CPR certification is often required or recommended to meet workplace safety standards.
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This course teaches you the knowledge and practical skills to complete manual tasks safely at work. You’ll learn how to identify hazards, use safe lifting and handling techniques, assess risks, and reduce the chance of injury when moving or supporting loads. Manual handling injuries are common in Australian workplaces, so this training helps improve safety and meet workplace health and safety requirements.
Career pathways: Useful in aged care, disability support, healthcare, hospitality, retail, warehousing, construction, cleaning and community services roles.
Industry demand: There is strong and ongoing demand in both city and regional workplaces, especially in jobs that involve lifting, moving or supporting people and equipment.
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This course gives you the knowledge and practical skills to help clients with their medications in community and residential care settings. You’ll learn how to follow medication procedures, understand your legal and ethical responsibilities, recognise risks and respond to changes in a client’s condition. It’s designed for people working, or planning to work, in aged care, disability support or community services. The course helps you provide safe and person-centred care.
Career pathways: Personal Care Worker, Disability Support Worker, Community Care Worker, Aged Care Worker.
Industry demand: There is strong and growing demand in both city and regional areas, especially in aged care, disability and home support services where helping with medications is part of the role.
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This Manual Handling Refresher course is for workers who need to update their skills and continue working safely when doing manual tasks. You’ll review safe lifting techniques, how to identify hazards and ways to reduce risks. The course helps prevent workplace injuries and supports ongoing workplace health and safety requirements. It’s ideal for people working in care, hospitality, retail, cleaning, warehousing and other active roles.
Career pathways: Useful in aged care, disability support, healthcare, hospitality, retail, cleaning, warehousing and construction roles.
Industry demand: There is steady demand in both city and regional workplaces, as many employers require regular manual handling refresher training to meet safety standards.
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Our subsidised Health Skill Sets provide focused training for people starting or growing their careers in healthcare and community services. These programs help you build practical skills in key areas without committing to a full qualification. They’re a flexible way to improve your job prospects, meet workplace requirements or take a step toward further study.
The training runs over three weeks and includes these nationally recognised units:
CHCCOM005 – Communicate and work in health or community services
CHCDIV001 – Work with diverse people
HLTWHS002 – Follow safe work practices for direct client care
HLTWHS006 – Manage personal stress in the workplace
HLTINF006 – Apply basic infection prevention and control practices
CHCLEG001 – Work legally and ethically
This course is funded by the State Government through JobTrainer (eligibility criteria applies).
Career pathways: Aged Care Worker, Disability Support Worker, Community Care Worker, Personal Care Assistant and other frontline support roles.
Industry demand: There is strong and growing demand in both city and regional areas, especially in aged care, disability support, community health and home care services.
Hospitality
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The Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course teaches you how to serve alcohol safely and legally in Australia. You’ll learn how to recognise signs of intoxication, refuse service when needed, understand liquor licensing laws, and promote responsible drinking in licensed venues. In South Australia, RSA certification is required for anyone serving alcohol and is essential for hospitality jobs.
Career pathways: Bar Attendant, Waitstaff, Functions Staff, Event Crew, Venue Supervisor, Hospitality Team Member.
Industry demand: There is strong and steady demand in both city and regional areas, as RSA certification is required to work in bars, restaurants, clubs, hotels and event venues.
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This course teaches you the practical skills and knowledge to prepare and serve a range of classic and modern cocktails to industry standards. You’ll learn safe and hygienic work practices, drink preparation techniques, presentation skills and responsible service requirements. It’s ideal if you’re starting in hospitality or want to build your bar service skills. You’ll gain confidence, speed and professionalism for busy bar environments.
Career pathways: Bartender, Bar Attendant, Food and Beverage Attendant, Event Bar Staff.
Industry demand: There is steady demand in both city and regional hospitality venues, including bars, restaurants, hotels and event spaces, where skilled bar staff are highly valued.
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Our Prepare and Serve Espresso Coffee course gives you hands-on training in the key skills needed to work in cafés, restaurants and hospitality venues. You’ll learn how to use an espresso machine, texture milk, make different types of coffee and provide great customer service in a busy environment. It’s suitable for beginners and for those wanting to improve their skills, helping you build confidence behind the machine and prepare for real café work.
Career pathways: Barista, Café Assistant, Hospitality Attendant, Food and Beverage Team Member.
Industry demand: There is strong demand in both city and regional areas, with coffee-making skills highly valued in cafés, restaurants, hotels and event venues.
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This practical Bar Operations course gives you the skills and knowledge to work confidently in licensed venues. You’ll learn essential bar procedures, drink preparation, customer service and responsible service practices. The course prepares you for busy hospitality settings and helps you build both practical skills and workplace confidence. You’ll learn how to work safely, communicate clearly and be a positive part of a hospitality team.
Career pathways: Bar Attendant, Bartender, Functions Staff, Hospitality Team Member, Event Crew.
Industry demand: There is strong demand in both city and regional areas, especially in bars, restaurants, clubs, hotels and event venues where skilled bar staff are needed.
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The Mobile Barista Training course provides practical, hands-on training in espresso coffee preparation and café service skills. Delivered using commercial-grade espresso equipment, this course builds your confidence in preparing a range of espresso beverages, maintaining coffee equipment and delivering professional customer service. With the convenience of a mobile training setup, our experienced barista trainers bring the learning environment directly to your workplace or venue, creating an engaging and practical training experience.
Training focuses on developing real café skills, including organising a coffee workstation, selecting and grinding coffee beans, extracting quality espresso, texturing milk and serving espresso beverages to industry standards.
Training includes the following nationally recognised units:
SITHFAB025 – Prepare and serve espresso coffee
SITXFSA005 – Use hygienic practices for food safety
Career pathways: Barista, Café Assistant, Food and Beverage Attendant, Hospitality Team Member.
Industry demand: Strong and ongoing demand across metropolitan and regional areas, with coffee-making skills highly valued in cafés, restaurants, hotels and event venues.
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This Basic Gaming course gives you the key knowledge needed to work in licensed venues that have gaming machines in South Australia. You’ll learn about the responsibilities of gaming staff, how to monitor gaming areas, recognise signs of problem gambling, and follow the relevant laws. It’s designed for people starting in hospitality or venue operations, helping you understand your role in creating a safe and responsible gaming environment.
Career pathways: Gaming Attendant, Bar Attendant, Venue Staff, Hospitality Team Member, Functions Staff.
Industry demand: There is strong demand in both city and regional areas, especially in hotels, clubs and licensed venues where gaming machines are part of daily operations.
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This practical course gives you the skills and confidence to provide professional food and beverage service in cafés, restaurants, hotels and event venues. You’ll learn how to take orders correctly, serve food and drinks efficiently, speak positively with customers and work well as part of a hospitality team. The course reflects real workplace expectations and helps you build both practical skills and strong customer service.
Career pathways: Waitstaff, Food and Beverage Attendant, Functions Staff, Café Assistant, Hospitality Team Member.
Industry demand: There is strong demand in both city and regional areas, with skilled food and beverage staff highly valued in restaurants, hotels, clubs, cafés and event venues.
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The Advanced Gaming course gives you the specialised knowledge needed for supervisors and managers working in licensed venues with gaming machines. You’ll learn more about gaming laws, your legal responsibilities, responsible gambling practices and venue compliance. This course is designed for people moving into leadership roles, helping you oversee gaming operations, support staff, manage incidents and ensure your venue meets all legal and ethical standards.
Career pathways: Gaming Supervisor, Duty Manager, Venue Manager, Senior Hospitality Staff.
Industry demand: There is strong demand in both city and regional areas, especially in hotels and clubs where advanced gaming certification is required for supervisory and management positions.
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This course gives you essential knowledge about liquor licensing laws and compliance requirements in South Australia. You’ll learn about the legal responsibilities of licensees and approved managers, including responsible service, venue management, harm minimisation and meeting regulatory standards. It’s designed for people applying for, managing or overseeing a liquor licence, helping you run a safe and compliant venue.
Career pathways: Approved Manager, Licensee, Venue Manager, Duty Manager, Hospitality Supervisor.
Industry demand: There is steady demand in both city and regional areas, as liquor licensing knowledge is required for management and supervisory roles in hotels, clubs, restaurants and event venues.
MORE INFORMATION →
Retail
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Our Retail Skill Sets offer focused, nationally recognised training to help you build practical skills for customer-facing retail roles. These programs let you develop key skills such as sales, customer service, using point-of-sale systems and daily store tasks, without completing a full qualification. They are ideal for people starting in retail or current staff wanting to improve their skills. The training is flexible and based on real workplace expectations.
The course runs over three weeks and includes these nationally recognised units:
● SIRXCEG001 – Engage the customer
● SIRXCOM001 – Communicate in the workplace to support team and customer outcomes
● SIRXIND001 – Work effectively in a service environment
● SIRXSLS001 – Sell to the retail customer
● SIRRRTF001 – Balance and secure point-of-sale terminal
● SIRRMER001 – Produce visual merchandise displays
This course is funded by the State Government through JobTrainer (eligibility criteria applies).
Career pathways: Retail Assistant, Customer Service Representative, Sales Assistant, Store Support Team Member.
Industry demand: There is steady demand in both city and regional areas, with skilled retail staff needed in supermarkets, specialty stores, shopping centres and large retail chains.
Food Industry
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Our Cookery Skill Sets are for people who want hands-on experience in a commercial kitchen without committing to a full qualification. This practical training builds essential skills in food preparation, safe work practices and kitchen operations. It’s ideal if you’re starting in hospitality or want to strengthen your existing skills. The training reflects real workplace expectations.
The course runs over three weeks and includes these nationally recognised units:
● SITXWHS005 – Participate in safe work practices
● SITXFSA005 – Use hygienic practices for food safety
● SITXFSA006 – Participate in safe food handling practices
● SITHCCC023 – Use food preparation equipment
● SITHCCC027 – Prepare dishes using basic cookery methods
This course is funded by the State Government through JobTrainer (eligibility criteria applies).
Career pathways: Kitchen Hand, Catering Assistant, Commis Chef, Cook, Hospitality Team Member.
Industry demand: There is strong and ongoing demand in both city and regional areas, with skilled kitchen staff needed in restaurants, cafés, hotels and catering services.
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This training focuses on safe food handling and workplace hygiene. It’s designed for people starting or working in hospitality. You’ll learn your responsibilities in keeping food safe and protecting customers. The course builds practical skills that match current industry rules and employer expectations, helping you work safely and confidently in kitchens, cafés, restaurants and event venues.
Training is delivered face-to-face over 2 hours, with an additional online theory component. It includes these nationally recognised units:
● SITXFSA005 – Use hygienic practices for food safety
● SITXFSA006 – Participate in safe food handling practices
Career pathways: Food and Beverage Attendant, Kitchen Hand, Catering Assistant, Café Assistant, Hospitality Team Member.
Industry demand: There is strong and ongoing demand in both city and regional areas, as food safety knowledge is essential for jobs in hospitality, catering and food service.
Business
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Our Business Skill Sets offer focused, nationally recognised training to help you build practical skills for office and workplace settings. Whether you’re starting work, returning to a job or wanting to improve your current skills, these programs give you key business skills without completing a full qualification. You’ll gain hands-on experience in communication, administration, teamwork and workplace systems, based on real business expectations.
Training runs over three weeks and includes these nationally recognised units:
● BSBCMM211 – Apply communication skills
● BSBTWK201 – Work effectively with others
● BSBTEC201 – Use business software applications
● BSBPEF202 – Plan and manage your time
● BSBWHS211 – Contribute to workplace health and safety
● FSKLRG010 – Use routine strategies for career planning
This course is funded by the State Government through JobTrainer (eligibility criteria applies).
Career pathways: Administration Assistant, Office Support Officer, Customer Service Representative, Receptionist, Team Support Officer.
Industry demand: There is strong and steady demand in both city and regional areas, with business skills valued across government, corporate and small businesses.
Cleaning
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Our Cleaning Skill Sets offer focused, nationally recognised training to prepare you for work in commercial, residential and specialised cleaning settings. These programs build essential skills in safe work practices, infection control, using equipment and maintaining professional standards. They are ideal if you’re starting in the industry or want to formalise your existing experience. The training helps improve your job prospects and ensures you understand workplace safety and quality standards.
Training runs over three weeks and includes these nationally recognised units:
● CPPCLO3111 – Clean rooms, furniture and fittings
● BSBWHS332X – Apply infection prevention and control procedures
● CPPCLO3103 – Clean and maintain amenities
● CPPCMN3006 – Provide effective client service
This course is funded by the State Government through JobTrainer (eligibility criteria applies).
Career pathways: Commercial Cleaner, Facilities Cleaner, Domestic Cleaner, Environmental Services Assistant.
Industry demand: There is strong and ongoing demand in both city and regional areas, especially in healthcare, education, hospitality, corporate and community settings where high cleaning standards are essential.