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Certificate III · national qualification

Certificate III in Food Processing

This qualification is for people who run the equipment that turns raw ingredients into packaged food and drink, and who take charge of a line or part of a plant rather than just one machine.

Compare 10 providers
How long it takes
10 to 24 months
full time at TAFE NSW
What it costs
From $2,190
Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $11,830
How you can study
Online, on campus or on the job
Taught by
10 providers
5 states and territories

Is this course right for you?

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

It helps to have

  • an interest in how food and drink is made
  • a careful attitude to hygiene and food safety
  • the confidence to take charge of a line
  • good communication skills with a production team

Before you start

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Where this course can take you

No job needs this course on its own, but it can help with the work below.

Jobs this course can help with

None of these jobs needs a set qualification.

  • Brewer

    Brewers turn malt, hops, yeast and water into beer, controlling the temperature, timing and cleanliness that decide whether a batch turns out right.

    Median pay$85,600

  • Coffee Roaster

    Coffee roasters turn green coffee beans into the roasted product cafes and shops sell, adjusting heat, airflow and time to bring out the flavour of each batch.

    Median pay$65,000 (estimate)

  • Food Factory Worker

    Food factory workers run the machines and lines that turn raw ingredients into packaged food, keeping each batch safe and consistent.

    Median pay$57,200 (estimate)

  • Fruit and Vegetable Packer

    Fruit and vegetable packers grade, sort and pack fresh produce so it reaches shops, markets and export customers in good condition.

    Median pay$52,000 (estimate)

    In demand

  • Packaging Operator

    Packaging operators run the machinery that fills, wraps and seals products before they leave a factory for sale or distribution.

    Median pay$49,300 (estimate)

  • Seafood Process Worker

    Seafood process workers fillet, prepare and pack fish and shellfish so a highly perishable product reaches shops and restaurants in good condition.

    Median pay$59,800 (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.

What it costs

Subsidised place

From $2,190

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

Paying the full fee

$9,370 to $11,830

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

  • TAFE NSWNSW

    Subsidised
    $2,190
    Concession
    $240
    Full fee
    $11,830
    How long
    10 to 24 months

  • GOTAFEVIC

    Subsidised
    $4,173
    Concession
    $835
    Full fee
    $10,023

  • TAFE QueenslandQLD

    Subsidised
    $6,120
    Concession
    $5,410
    Full fee
    $9,370

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

17 units: 5 that everyone takes and 12 you choose.

  • Food safety and quality programs
  • Traceability of ingredients and product
  • Running interrelated production processes
  • Good manufacturing practice
  • Work health and safety on site
  • Monitoring and troubleshooting equipment
See all 5 core units

Core units

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

  • Loading the details for FBPFSY3003…

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 suits people already working in food manufacturing who want to move from operator to overseeing a line or part of a plant. You learn to run production safely and cleanly, follow food safety and quality programs, track ingredients and stock, and solve problems, working autonomously and taking some responsibility for others' output.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Each provider can set its 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.