How to Become an Audiometrist in Australia (Step-by-Step Guide)

Considering a career in hearing health? Here’s exactly how to become an audiometrist in Australia.

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Audiometry is a career that combines healthcare, technology, and meaningful human connection. Audiometrists help people hear better, communicate more confidently, and reconnect with the sounds of everyday life — from family conversations to music and social connection.

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If you’re exploring a future in hearing health, this guide breaks down the clear steps to become an audiometrist in Australia, including study pathways, supervision, exams, and what happens after you qualify.

What is an Audiometrist?

An audiometrist is a trained hearing clinician who performs hearing assessments and supports clients with hearing solutions such as hearing aids and rehabilitation strategies.

Audiometrists commonly:

• perform diagnostic hearing tests
• perform ear wax removals
• explain results clearly and compassionately
• recommend hearing solutions
• fit, adjust and maintain hearing aids
• provide education and counselling for hearing loss
• support clients over time with follow-up care

Audiometry is especially important in regional and rural communities, where access to hearing services can make a huge difference in quality of life.

Why Choose Audiometry as a Career?

Audiometry is a fantastic career option for people who want:

• a stable and growing healthcare profession
• The ability to work and study without the comitment of moving away to Univeristy
• strong client relationships
• practical, hands-on clinical work
• a career that blends people + technology
• a job that genuinely changes lives

It’s also a career with excellent opportunities across Australia, particularly for clinicians who enjoy working in regional areas, outreach services, and community healthcare.

How to Become an Audiometrist in Australia: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Complete Year 12 (or equivalent)

To start your audiometry pathway, you’ll generally need to complete Year 12, or an equivalent qualification.

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Step 2: Study a Diploma of Audiometry (TAFE or Australasian College of Audiometry)

The next step is completing a Diploma of Audiometry, which is the core qualification required to enter the profession.

In Australia, this can be completed through:

• TAFE, or
• Australasian College of Audiometry (ACA)

During the Diploma of Audiometry, you’ll learn:

• anatomy and physiology of the ear
• types and causes of hearing loss
• hearing assessment methods
• infection control and clinical safety
• hearing aid technology and fitting
• client counselling and communication strategies

This is where you build the knowledge and skills that will become the foundation of your clinical career.

Step 3: Find a Supervisor + Complete Supervised Clinical Training and Logbooks

This is one of the most important parts of becoming an audiometrist.

While studying the Diploma of Audiometry, you’ll need to:

• find a clinical supervisor
• complete supervised clinical training
• complete required logbooks and competencies

This stage allows you to apply what you’re learning in real clinical environments and build confidence working with:

• hearing assessments
• client communication
• hearing aid fitting and follow-up
• troubleshooting and fine-tuning
• professional documentation and reporting

💡 Tip: Many clinicians find this stage the most rewarding - it’s where everything “clicks” and you begin to see the real impact of hearing healthcare.

Step 4: Obtain Your Diploma of Audiometry

Once you’ve completed all coursework, placement requirements, and logbooks, you’ll graduate with your Diploma of Audiometry.

This is a major milestone and officially confirms you’ve completed the core educational component of becoming an audiometrist.

Step 5: Begin the Supervision Process to Obtain Your QP Number

After graduation, you’ll enter the next stage: working toward your QP number (Qualified Practitioner number).

This involves:

• continuing supervised practice over a number of hours
• meeting professional requirements
• demonstrating competency across a range of clinical skills

This process ensures new clinicians develop into confident, safe practitioners with strong clinical standards.

Step 6: Pass Required Exams

As part of the journey to being fully qualified, you’ll need to complete and pass the required exams.

This confirms:

• clinical competency
• safe practice
• ability to work independently
• consistent professional standards

This is an important step and a great confidence boost when completed.

Step 7: Become Fully Qualified + Meet Industry Standards

Once supervision and exam requirements are met, you’ll become fully qualified and have your QP number issued to you.

At this stage, you’re expected to practise in line with industry standards, including:

• evidence-based care
• ethical and professional behaviour
• working within scope of practice
• accurate clinical documentation
• client-centred communication and counselling

Audiometry is a profession where learning never stops because technology and best-practice hearing care continues to evolve.

Step 8: Start Your Career + Maintain Memberships and QP Points

Once fully qualified, you can begin working independently as an audiometrist.

Audiometrists can work in:

• private hearing clinics
• regional and rural clinics
• community outreach services
• aged care support programs
• mobile hearing clinics

To remain current and compliant, you’ll continue:

• required professional memberships
• ongoing professional development / QP points
• training updates as technology changes

This is a positive part of the profession it keeps your skills sharp and supports the best outcomes for your clients.

How Long Does it Take to Become an Audiometrist in Australia?

Timeframes can vary depending on your course provider and supervision requirements, but most clinicians complete:

• Diploma studies + clinical training, then
• supervision period + exams, then
• full qualification and ongoing development

Many people begin working in clinic early in the process while building their skills and supervision hours. Typically the whole process takes around 3 years however this is a course that can be adapted to suit the individual.

Is Audiometry a Good Career in Australia?

Yes, audiometry is a strong and meaningful career pathway.

With Australia’s ageing population and increasing awareness of hearing health, there is ongoing demand for skilled hearing clinicians. The profession offers:

• long-term career stability
• strong employment opportunities
• growth into leadership, mentoring, outreach or specialist roles
• the chance to work in a field that genuinely changes lives

Final Thoughts: Audiometry is a Career That Matters

Audiometry is more than hearing tests and technology, it’s about people.

Every day, audiometrists help clients:

• communicate better
• feel less isolated
• reconnect with loved ones
• regain confidence in social settings
• live more independently

If you’re looking for a career that’s practical, people-focused and meaningful, audiometry could be the perfect fit.

Interested in Audiometry?

If you’re considering audiometry as a career (or you’re a new clinician looking for direction), we’d love to encourage you.

Follow us on social media for:

• behind-the-scenes clinic life
• career advice for new clinicians
• stories from hearing health
• pathways into audiometry

👂 We need passionate clinicians in hearing health and we’d love to see you join the profession.

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