HomeCoursesBuilding and constructionCertificate III
Certificate III · national qualification
Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying
This trade qualification prepares you to work as a bricklayer, blocklayer or paver on residential, commercial and industrial jobs.
- How long it takes
- 1 to 4 years
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $2,990
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $19,761
- How you can study
- On campus
- Main job
- Bricklayer
- $120,500 median pay, In demand
- Taught by
- 23 providers
- 6 states and territories
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in building and construction work
- a careful and methodical approach to tasks
- good hand skills and spatial awareness
- willingness to work outdoors and at heights
Before you start
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
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
Bricklayer
Bricklayers lay bricks, blocks and stone to build and repair walls, arches and other masonry structures on construction sites.
What else you need
Complete the bricklaying trade training, relevant workplace or apprenticeship arrangements, construction induction and applicable local licensing requirements. 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$120,500
In demand
If you study further
Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
Leads to work as a, median pay $195,100.
Bachelor of Construction Management
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $2,990
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$17,370 to $19,761
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $2,990 | $240 | $17,370 | 1 to 4 years |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $3,783 | $757 | $17,848 | |
| The Gordon | VIC | $3,668 | $732 | $19,761 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $2,990
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $17,370
- How long
- 1 to 4 years
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,783
- Concession
- $757
- Full fee
- $17,848
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,668
- Concession
- $732
- Full fee
- $19,761
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.
Where you can study this course
There are 23 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.
- Website for Melbourne Polytechnic (opens in a new tab)
Melbourne Polytechnic
13 campuses, VIC
3.7from 485 Google reviews
What students like
- Some teachers are supportive and go out of their way
- Student services offer understanding and compassion
What to weigh up
- Messages to staff can go unanswered
- Enrolment mistakes can take time to fix
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
10 campuses, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- How long
- 1 to 4 years
- Fee
- From $2,990 subsidised
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
- Website for Victoria University (opens in a new tab)
Victoria University
11 campuses, NSW, QLD, VIC
3.9from 1,562 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are friendly, supportive and approachable
- Studying one subject at a time through the block model
- Staff are welcoming and ready to help
What to weigh up
- Admin can be hard to reach after you finish
- Website for Swinburne University of Technology (opens in a new tab)
Swinburne University of Technology
8 campuses, VIC
4.0from 1,190 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers and tutors are supportive and want students to succeed
- Student HQ and support staff are helpful and responsive
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- You may be passed between departments
- Website for TAFE Gippsland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
11 campuses, VIC
3.9from 113 Google reviews
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
6 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
- Website for TAFE SA (opens in a new tab)
TAFE SA
26 campuses, SA
4.4from 1,339 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are nice and helpful
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course information can be unclear
- Course page for The Gordon (opens in a new tab)
The Gordon
East Geelong Campus, VIC
4.0from 168 Google reviews
- Fee
- From $3,668 subsidised
What students like
- Teaching staff are supportive and highly professional
- Staff are friendly and helpful
What to weigh up
- Courses can feel loosely organised
What you’ll learn
28 units: 20 that everyone takes and 8 you choose.
- Laying bricks and blocks
- Reading plans and specifications
- Setting out and levelling
- Cavity brick and veneer walls
- Arches and curved walls
- Flashings and damp proof courses
See all 20 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?
It prepares you to work as a bricklayer, blocklayer or paver on residential, commercial and industrial jobs, including heritage and refractory bricklaying. The role is trade qualified and may involve responsibility for your own work. It leads to roles such as bricklayer and stonemason.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.
Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?
Yes, licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements vary between states, so consult the relevant state and territory regulatory authorities. Anyone carrying out construction work must also complete the general construction induction training program, such as CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry.