HLT42021 Certificate IV in Massage Therapy
Gain the skills to help people relax
Students learn the major muscles of the body, how to analyse posture, and understand common health conditions, as well as understanding legal and ethical requirements in the health industry.

Overview
Campus Albany
When Semester 2, 2025 | Semester 1, 2026
Study Mode Full-Time
This qualification reflects the role of massage therapists who provide general health maintenance treatments. It does not reflect the role of a remedial massage therapist. Practitioners may be self-employed or work within a larger health service. Students learn the major muscles of the body, how to analyse posture, and understand common health conditions, as well as understanding legal and ethical requirements in the health industry.
- You would like to work with people offering massages to address physical discomfort, muscle tension and emotional stress.
- You would like to help people’s quality of life through the implementation of massage therapy.
Then this is the course for you.
To make an informed choice about the suitability of this course, please consider the essential skills and knowledge below. You must:
- Enjoy working with people, both individually and in teams.
- Be able to demonstrate responsibility for self and others, including being reliable, accountable, and aware of the impact your actions.
- Apply sound judgement, problem-solving skills and risk response.
- Make ethical decisions and follow legal requirements of the industry (e.g., Privacy Act 1988).
- Respect client perspectives and support informed choices
- Understand that this course includes considerable anatomy and physiology (e.g., learning names, locations and movements of muscles and bones).
- Be interested in the various conditions that commonly present to massage therapists (i.e., human disease processes and how the body system operates).
- Recognise and respond to client discomfort during treating and respond accordingly.
- Show tolerance and patience for people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Have a sound level of fitness as this course is hands-on and physically demanding.
- Be comfortable with appropriate physical contact in a professional learning environment. Some practical activities may involve discreet disrobing to only briefs, in line with industry standards. Expectations will be clearly explained, and any concerns should be raised early so reasonable adjustments can be discussed. These practical components are mandatory for course completion.
This course enables you to undertake the role of a Massage Therapist, whereby you will provide general health maintenance treatments. It does not reflect the role of a Remedial Massage Therapist. Practitioners may be self-employed or work within a larger health service. You will learn the major muscles of the body, how to analyse posture, and understand common health conditions, as well as understand legal and ethical requirements in the health industry.
Time Commitment
You will need to allocate appropriate time to complete this course. This includes attending classes on-site and/or online as outlined in the study mode; and undertake independent study outside of class hours, including private study, assessment preparation, research, and complete assessment requirements.
Below are some of the important personal skills you will be required to develop and demonstrate during training. These skills are highly valued by industry:
- Communication: Engage effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, communicate ideas clearly, and foster trust and strong relationships.
- Teamwork and Safety: Work collaboratively, treat others with respect, and remain open to constructive feedback. Participate in safe work practices.
- Problem Solving: Proactively find solutions, engage with challenges, ask questions, and respond appropriately within your scope of practice.
- Initiative: Stay motivated, take initiative, and seek help when needed.
- Planning: Manage time well. Prioritise and complete tasks efficiently and effectively.
- Self-Management: Reflect on your performance. Acknowledge your success and take responsibility for your shortcomings.
- Learning: Recognise your strengths while embracing new knowledge and experiences to support personal and professional growth. Some of the skills you will learn include:
- Establishing and managing client relationships.
- Working appropriately with culturally diverse clients and coworkers.
- Understanding legal and ethical compliance.
- Infection prevention and control as well as work health and safety principles.
- Muscles of the body, how to analyse posture, and understand common health conditions.
- Assess client massage needs and apply massage treatments.
- Provide first aid.
- Research and develop business plans.
- Provide reflexology for relaxation.
- Technology: Adapt to new tools, access digital resources, and integrate technology into your learning.
Select your preferred campus and apply
Semester 1, 2026
Details
Course fees
(Tuition fee* $3,381.84 + Resource fee $207.60 )
(Tuition fee* $995.19 + Resource fee $207.60 )
Indicative Fees and Charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of Fee Disclaimers
Units
Not all units and study modes are offered at all campuses. Please check with your local campus.
Core
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCCOM006 | Establish and manage client relationships |
CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
CHCLEG003 | Manage legal and ethical compliance |
HLTAAP002 | Confirm physical health status |
HLTINF004 | Manage the prevention and control of infection |
HLTMSG009 | Develop massage practice |
HLTMSG010 | Assess client massage needs |
HLTMSG011 | Provide massage treatments |
HLTMSG012 | Apply relaxation massage clinical practice |
HLTWHS004 | Manage work health and safety |
Elective
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
BSBESB401 | Research and develop business plans |
HLTAID011 | Provide First Aid |
HLTREF002 | Provide reflexology for relaxation |
Semester 2, 2025
Details
Course fees
(Tuition fee* $3,381.84 + Resource fee $207.60 )
(Tuition fee* $995.19 + Resource fee $207.60 )
Indicative Fees and Charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of Fee Disclaimers
Units
Not all units and study modes are offered at all campuses. Please check with your local campus.
Core
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
CHCCOM006 | Establish and manage client relationships |
CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
CHCLEG003 | Manage legal and ethical compliance |
HLTAAP002 | Confirm physical health status |
HLTINF004 | Manage the prevention and control of infection |
HLTMSG009 | Develop massage practice |
HLTMSG010 | Assess client massage needs |
HLTMSG011 | Provide massage treatments |
HLTMSG012 | Apply relaxation massage clinical practice |
HLTWHS004 | Manage work health and safety |
Elective
National ID | Unit title |
---|---|
BSBESB401 | Research and develop business plans |
HLTAID011 | Provide First Aid |
HLTREF002 | Provide reflexology for relaxation |