HomeCoursesPlumbingCertificate III in Plumbing
Certificate III in Plumbing
This is the trade qualification behind most plumbing careers.
- Duration: 1 year to 4 years
- Study mode: On campus and workplace based
- Course code: CPC32420
Where you can study this course
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Melbourne Polytechnic
- Campuses
- 13 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
A number of students find the organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some rate the facilities and campus highly.
- Campuses
- 19 campuses
- Duration
- 1 year to 4 years
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- $21,010
- Eligible students: subsidised from $2,990, 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.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Victoria University
- Campuses
- 11 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Most students praise the student support, while others find it frustrating. Many rate the facilities and campus well, and some criticise the organisation and admin.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Charles Darwin University
- Campuses
- 12 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students often praise the facilities and campus, while some value student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on trainers and teaching, with communication also a concern.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
Swinburne University of Technology
- Campuses
- 8 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Some students praise the facilities and campus, while some criticise organisation and admin for being frustrating, and opinions are mixed on course content. A number also mention student support and teaching positively or negatively.
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
- Campuses
- 11 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
RMIT University
- Campuses
- 15 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students often find organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some praise the facilities and campus and student support.
- Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
- Campuses
- 9 campuses
- Duration
- Not stated by provider
- Study mode
- Not stated by provider
- Full fee
- Not stated by provider
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.
Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
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.
- Yes. This is a licenced occupation, and state and territory jurisdictions may have different licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements. Consult the relevant state and territory regulatory authority to confirm what applies to you.
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:
- an interest in practical building and repair work
- good hand skills and comfort using tools
- a careful approach to safety on worksites
- good communication skills for working in a team
What will you learn?
You learn to install and maintain water and sanitary plumbing, drainage, gas and roofing services in new and existing buildings, working from plans, marking out, cutting and joining pipework, and clearing blockages. Most people do it as an apprenticeship, so the training happens on real jobs or in a closely simulated workplace rather than in a classroom alone. You also need general construction induction training before you can step onto a construction site, and licensing once you finish is handled by your state or territory regulator.
- Reading plans and marking out
- Using plumbing tools safely
- Installing below ground drainage
- Stormwater and sub-soil drainage
- Working safely at heights
- Welding and joining pipework
Units of competency (43 core)
Everyone completes these core units. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Career pathways
Roles this qualification is a recognised route into, and what else you need.
A recognised route into Plumber
Plumber
Plumbers install and maintain the water, gas and drainage systems a building relies on, from first fix on a new home to a burst main at midnight.
Explore this career →- Weekly pay
- $1,990
- Full-time share
- 93%
- Employment size
- 107,600 workers
- Average age
- 34 years
- Average full-time hours
- 44 hours
- Gender share
- 3% female
- Future growth
- +10.2%
- Job market
- In shortage (national)
Complete the apprenticeship or recognised trade pathway, required plumbing streams and construction induction; obtain the applicable plumbing registration or licence before regulated work. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).