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Certificate III · national qualification
Certificate III in Locksmithing
This trade qualification prepares you to work as a locksmith, the person who installs, repairs and manufactures locking and security systems for homes, cars and industrial sites.
- How long it takes
- 3 years
- full time at TAFE NSW
- Main job
- Locksmith
- $78,000 (estimate) median pay, In demand
- Taught by
- 4 providers
- 4 states and territories
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in Locksmithing asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in how locks and security systems work
- patience for fine, precise mechanical work
- a careful approach to security and people's property
- good communication skills for dealing with customers
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
Locksmith
Locksmiths fit, repair and open locks and security hardware in homes, businesses and vehicles, keeping property secure and getting people back in when a key is lost or a lock fails.
What else you need
Completed as an apprenticeship, so you must be employed as an apprentice. A security licence is also needed to work in the industry (NSW requires a Class 2C Security Equipment Specialist licence), and the qualification alone does not confer it. Check your state's rules. 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$78,000 (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.
Where you can study this course
There are 4 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
Ultimo Campus (Apprenticeship), NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How long
- 3 years
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
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
Eagle Farm, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
- Course page for South Metropolitan TAFE (opens in a new tab)
South Metropolitan TAFE
Rockingham, WA
3.9from 617 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are friendly and genuinely care about students
- Courses help students learn new skills
What to weigh up
- Phone calls and enquiries can go unanswered
What you’ll learn
The main topics covered in the Certificate III in Locksmithing.
- Installing locks and hardware
- Repairing locks and mechanisms
- Cutting and coding keys
- Automotive key and security work
- Domestic and commercial security systems
- Working safely on site
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?
It prepares you to work as a locksmith, fitting and servicing locks and hardware, cutting and programming keys, and working on security systems in domestic, automotive and industrial settings. The qualification is for people entering the trade through an Australian apprenticeship or experienced workers seeking trade recognition. Roles it leads to include engraver, gunsmith, locksmith, precision instrument maker, saw doctor and watchmaker.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
The qualification itself has no entry requirements. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.