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Certificate III · national qualification

Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing

Waterproofers keep water out of buildings, and this qualification teaches the trade from the ground up: reading plans, measuring and setting out, preparing a surface properly, then applying membranes and coatings that stop moisture reaching the structure.

Compare 10 providers
Illustration of a person working as waterproofer
How long it takes
1 to 2 years
typical for this level
What it costs
From $3,093
Subsidised at Holmesglen Institute, full fee up to $13,015
How you can study
On campus
Main job
Waterproofer
$84,200 (estimate) median pay
Taught by
10 providers
5 states and territories

Is this course right for you?

What the Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

  • an interest in building and construction work
  • care with measuring and preparing surfaces
  • good communication skills for working with others
  • a careful approach to safety on site

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

  • Waterproofer

    Waterproofers install the membranes and sealants that keep water out of wet areas, roofs, balconies and below-ground structures.

    What else you need

    Delivered in the workplace as an apprenticeship or traineeship, so you must be employed in the waterproofing industry. Check state licensing rules for waterproofing work. 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$84,200 (estimate)

If you study further

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.

What it costs

Subsidised place

From $3,093

at Holmesglen Institute. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.

Paying the full fee

$13,015

across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.

  • Chisholm InstituteVIC

    Subsidised
    $6,351
    Concession
    $1,271
    Full fee
    $13,015

  • Holmesglen InstituteVIC

    Subsidised
    $3,093
    Concession
    $619

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 10 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.

What you’ll learn

19 units: 14 that everyone takes and 5 you choose.

  • Reading plans and specifications
  • Working safely on site
  • Preparing surfaces for waterproofing
  • Below-ground and external waterproofing
  • Internal wet areas
  • Remedial waterproofing
See all 14 core units

Core units

Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.

  • Loading the details for CPCCOM1012…

Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

Questions people ask

Who is this qualification for?

It is for people who want to work as a waterproofer in residential and commercial construction. You learn to read plans, prepare surfaces and apply membranes and coatings in below ground, internal wet and external above-ground areas, plus how to fix failed waterproofing. It leads to the role of waterproofer.

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. Also, anyone doing construction work in Australia needs general construction induction training, the White Card, before starting on site.

Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?

State and territory jurisdictions may have different licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements. You should consult the relevant state and territory regulatory authorities to confirm what applies to you.

Related courses

The national training register, training.gov.au. TAFE course pages, read 20 September 2026. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.