HomeCoursesEngineeringCertificate III
Certificate III · national qualification
Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade
This is the trade qualification behind a mechanical fitter or machinist, and most people complete it as an apprenticeship while working in a real workshop.
- How long it takes
- 2.5 to 4 years
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $2,680
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $20,160
- How you can study
- On campus or on the job
- Main job
- Metal Machinist
- $135,500 median pay, In demand
- Taught by
- 28 providers
- Every state and territory
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in how machines and mechanical things work
- good hand skills and a careful approach to tasks
- a willingness to follow safety rules and work as part of a team
- an eye for detail and accuracy in measurements
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
Fitter
Fitters build, install and repair the machinery that keeps factories, mines and processing plants running.
What else you need
Completed as an Australian Apprenticeship, so you need an employer and a training contract. The award is a trade qualification for a kind of programme; check that the provider offers the machining or fitting pathway you want. 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$91,000 (estimate)
In demand
Fitter and Turner
Fitter and turners machine metal parts to fine tolerances and fit them into machinery, keeping plant and production equipment running accurately.
What else you need
Completed as an Australian Apprenticeship, so you need an employer and a training contract. The award is a trade qualification for a kind of programme; check that the provider offers the machining or fitting pathway you want. 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$85,800 (estimate)
In demandMetal Machinist
Metal machinists set up and run lathes, mills and CNC machines to cut metal stock and castings into parts that hold to exact tolerances.
What else you need
Completed as an Australian Apprenticeship, so you need an employer and a training contract. The award is a trade qualification for a kind of programme; check that the provider offers the machining or fitting pathway you want. 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$135,500
In demand
Toolmaker
Toolmakers make and repair the dies, jigs, moulds and fixtures that other machines use to produce parts to exact tolerances.
What else you need
Completed as an Australian Apprenticeship, so you need an employer and a training contract. The award is a trade qualification for a kind of programme; check that the provider offers the machining or fitting pathway you want. 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$65,000 (estimate)
In demand
Precision Instrument Maker
Precision instrument makers build, calibrate and repair the fine measuring and control instruments that keep manufacturing, medicine and research accurate.
A step towards this job. What else you need
Median pay$78,000 (estimate)
In demand
If you study further
Diploma of Civil Construction Design
Leads to work as a, median pay $88,400 (estimate).
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
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 $2,680
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$15,690 to $20,160
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $2,680 | $240 | $15,690 | 2.5 to 4 years |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $5,280 | $1,056 | $20,160 | |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $19,584 | |||
| The Gordon | VIC | $3,619 | $720 | $20,074 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $2,680
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $15,690
- How long
- 2.5 to 4 years
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $5,280
- Concession
- $1,056
- Full fee
- $20,160
GOTAFEVIC
- Full fee
- $19,584
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,619
- Concession
- $720
- Full fee
- $20,074
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 28 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
16 campuses, NSW, SA
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- How long
- 2.5 to 4 years
- Fee
- From $2,680 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 Charles Darwin University (opens in a new tab)
Charles Darwin University
12 campuses, NSW, NT
4.2from 619 Google reviews
What students like
- Admin and support staff are helpful
What to weigh up
- Units vary depending on the lecturer
- Feedback on assessments can vary
- 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
17 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
What you’ll learn
The main topics covered in the Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade.
- Reading technical drawings
- Measuring and marking out work
- Using hand and power tools
- Fitting and assembling machinery
- Machine tool operations
- Maintenance and fault finding
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 is for people who want to work as an engineering tradesperson - mechanical. It prepares you for fitting, assembly, manufacture, installation, modification, testing, fault finding, maintenance and service of mechanical equipment and machinery.
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?
In some jurisdictions, units in this qualification may relate to licensing or regulatory requirements. Check local regulations.