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Certificate III · national qualification

Certificate III in Driving Operations

This qualification is for people who drive for a living, whether that is a bus, a tip truck, a waste vehicle or a pickup and delivery run.

Compare 13 providers
Illustration of a person working as truck Driver
How long it takes
1 to 2 years
typical for this level
What it costs
From $3,975
Subsidised at TAFE Queensland, full fee up to $5,925
How you can study
Online, on campus or on the job
Main job
Truck Driver
$101,900 median pay, In demand
Taught by
13 providers
Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

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

It helps to have

  • an interest in driving as a job, not just a way to get around
  • a patient, steady attitude in traffic and tight schedules
  • good communication skills for dealing with clients and dispatchers
  • a habit of checking things carefully before you set off

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

  • Bus Driver

    Bus drivers run scheduled passenger services on fixed routes, following a timetable to get people to work, school, appointments and the shops.

    What else you need

    Providers such as TAFE Queensland require you to be employed in transport and to already hold the appropriate heavy vehicle licence before enrolling. The certificate does not itself confer a licence, which is issued separately by the state transport authority. Check the provider's entry requirements. Bus work may also need state passenger transport driver authorisation.

    Median pay$93,300

    In demand

  • Truck Driver

    Truck drivers hold a heavy vehicle licence and move freight between depots, warehouses and customers, often on long regional or interstate runs.

    What else you need

    Providers such as TAFE Queensland require you to be employed in transport and to already hold the appropriate heavy vehicle licence before enrolling. The certificate does not itself confer a licence, which is issued separately by the state transport authority. Check the provider's entry requirements.

    Median pay$101,900

    In demand

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 $3,975

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

Paying the full fee

$5,925

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

  • TAFE QueenslandQLD

    Subsidised
    $3,975
    Concession
    $3,555
    Full fee
    $5,925

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 13 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

15 units: 7 that everyone takes and 8 you choose.

  • Pre-start vehicle inspections
  • Safe manual handling
  • Work health and safety
  • Fatigue management
  • Low risk driving habits
  • Heavy vehicle operation
See all 7 core units

Core units

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

  • Loading the details for TLIB0002…

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 drive for a living, such as a bus or tip truck, or on a pickup and delivery run. You learn vehicle inspection, safe loading, work health and safety, and fatigue management.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Providers can set their own conditions, so check with the one you choose.

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.