HomeCoursesFashion and textilesCertificate III
Certificate III · national qualification
Certificate III in Millinery
This qualification trains you to make hats and headwear to a professional standard, working with felt, straw, fabric and sinamay.
- How long it takes
- 1 to 2 years
- typical for this level
- Main job
- Milliner
- $54,600 (estimate) median pay
- Taught by
- 1 provider
- NSW
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in Millinery asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in making hats and headwear by hand
- patience for slow, careful handwork
- an eye for shape, proportion and detail
- good communication skills for working with clients
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
Milliner
Milliners design and make hats and headwear, often shaping felt or straw over a wooden block by hand.
What else you need
This is the dedicated millinery qualification; it is a kind of award, so check the provider's course. No licence or registration applies, and further study or experience may be needed for higher-level work.
Median pay$54,600 (estimate)
If you study further
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's one place you can study this course. No provider pays to be listed here.
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
What you’ll learn
The main topics covered in the Certificate III in Millinery.
- Blocking felt and straw
- Shaping crowns and brims
- Hand sewing and stitching
- Lining and finishing hats
- Trimming with ribbon and veiling
- Working safely in a studio
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 trains you to make hats and headwear to a professional standard, using felt, straw, fabric and sinamay. You learn hand skills like blocking, wiring, lining and trimming. It suits people who want to make and sell their own pieces, work in a millinery business, or supply costume, bridal and racing markets, and can lead to roles such as Milliner, Clothing Patternmaker, Garment Cutter or Tailor.
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.