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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.

  • Duration: 10 months to 2 years
  • Study mode: Online, on campus and workplace based
  • Course code: FBP30121

Where you can study this course

Where
Study mode

  • TAFE NSW

    Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    2 campuses
    Duration
    10 months to 2 years
    Study mode
    Combination
    Full fee
    $11,830
    Eligible students: subsidised from $2,190, concession $240

    What students say

    Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.

  • TAFE Queensland

    Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    Mt Gravatt
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    On campus with some online
    Full fee
    $9,370
    Eligible students: subsidised from $6,120, concession $5,410

    What students say

    Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.

  • TAFE SA

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    26 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students rate the trainers, teaching, facilities and campus highly, though some found the organisation, admin and communication frustrating; opinions are mixed on facilities and campus.

  • Box Hill Institute

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    4 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students speak highly of the trainers and teaching, with the campus and facilities also well regarded. Many found student support frustrating, along with organisation and communication.

  • gotafe

    Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    2 campuses
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    Online classes & workplace training
    Full fee
    $10,023
    Eligible students: subsidised from $4,173, concession $835

  • South Regional TAFE

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    Campuses
    Margaret River
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    Varies by campus
    Full fee
    Not stated by provider

  • William Angliss Institute of TAFE

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    2 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Opinions are mixed on trainers and teaching, with many praising them and many finding them frustrating. Some also mention organisation and admin as a problem.

  • Wodonga Institute of TAFE

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    4 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students rate the trainers and teaching highly, and many value the student support. Some found communication and organisation frustrating, which matters if you want clear, smooth admin.

Last reviewed 20 September 2026.

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Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

  • Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, 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

What will you learn?

You learn to keep production running safely and cleanly, follow food safety and quality programs, track ingredients and finished stock through the process, and step in when something goes wrong. Study covers good manufacturing practice and work health and safety as they apply on a real production floor, with options to specialise in areas such as dairy, brewing, milling, bottling or stock feed. It suits someone already working in food manufacturing who wants to move from operator to the person overseeing the shift.

  • 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

Units of competency (5 core, 12 elective)

The qualification is made up of 17 units. Everyone completes the 5 core units below, and the remaining 12 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.

  • Loading the details for FBPFSY3003…

Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).