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Certificate III · national qualification
Certificate III in Automotive and Marine Trimming Technology
This qualification trains you to make and repair the trim inside cars, boats and other vehicles: seats, carpet, headlinings, door panels and upholstery.
- How long it takes
- 3 years
- full time at TAFE NSW
- How you can study
- On campus or on the job
- Main job
- Vehicle Trimmer
- $70,200 (estimate) median pay, In demand
- Taught by
- 3 providers
- NSW, VIC, WA
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in Automotive and Marine Trimming Technology asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in working with fabrics and materials
- good hand skills for cutting and sewing
- patience for detailed and precise work
- a willingness to follow safety practices
Before you start
The qualification has no set entry requirements, but each provider can add its own.
Where this course can take you
Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.
Jobs you can do with it
Vehicle Trimmer
Vehicle trimmers cut, sew and fit the fabric, leather, vinyl and foam that make up a vehicle's interior.
What else you need
Employers usually take the person on as an apprentice or trainee, so check the training provider and state apprenticeship rules. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
Median pay$70,200 (estimate)
In demand
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.
Where you can study this course
There are 3 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
Ultimo Campus (Apprenticeship), NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- How long
- 3 years
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Course page for Holmesglen Institute (opens in a new tab)
Holmesglen Institute
Chadstone, VIC
3.6from 650 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus or on the job
What students like
- Staff are friendly and supportive
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Placement information can be unclear
- Some teachers are less engaged
- Course page for North Metropolitan TAFE (opens in a new tab)
North Metropolitan TAFE
Balga, WA
4.1from 903 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are helpful and knowledgeable
- Courses provide strong practical skills
What you’ll learn
30 units: 12 that everyone takes and 18 you choose.
- Fabric and material selection
- Machine and hand sewing
- Fabricating trim components
- Repairs and alterations
- Fitting interior trim
- Adhesives and workshop safety
See all 12 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
This qualification prepares you to manufacture, repair and maintain trim components for cars, boats and other vehicles. You will work with fabrics, vinyl and leather, using sewing machines and tools to make seats, carpets and upholstery. It leads to roles such as Vehicle Body Builder and Vehicle Trimmer.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
The qualification itself has no entry requirements. However, individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.