Skip to content
careertips

HomeCoursesPlumbingCertificate III

Certificate III · national qualification

Certificate III in Plumbing

This is the trade qualification behind most plumbing careers.

Compare 28 providers
Illustration of a person working as plumber
How long it takes
1 to 4 years
full time at TAFE NSW
What it costs
From $2,990
Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $35,168
How you can study
On campus or on the job
Main job
Plumber
$103,500 median pay, In demand
Taught by
28 providers
Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

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

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

Before you start

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Certificate III or Certificate II?

This is the higher level. It is the trade qualification behind most plumbing careers, and it is suitable for an Australian Apprenticeship pathway. Certificate II in Plumbing is a lower level qualification in the same subject.

See the course

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

  • Drainer

    Drainers install and maintain the below-ground pipes that carry sewage, stormwater and wastewater away from buildings and public spaces.

    What else you need

    Completed through an apprenticeship with an employer. The award alone does not confer a licence: you apply to your state or territory plumbing licensing authority (rules differ) and drainage may be a separate licence class in some states. Check the regulator and provider. 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$80,600 (estimate)

    In demand

  • Gasfitter

    Gasfitters install and service the gas appliances, meters and pipework that homes and businesses rely on for heating, cooking and hot water.

    What else you need

    Completed through an apprenticeship with an employer. The award alone does not confer a licence: you apply to your state or territory plumbing licensing authority (rules differ) and gasfitting is usually a separate licence or endorsement. Check the regulator and provider. 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$85,800 (estimate)

    In demand

  • Mechanical Services Plumber

    Mechanical services plumbers install and maintain the heating, cooling and ventilation systems that large buildings rely on.

    What else you need

    Plumbing is a licensed occupation and state rules differ. Choose a program that includes the mechanical services units, do it as an apprenticeship, and confirm licensing with your state regulator. The award alone does not confer a licence. 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$96,200 (estimate)

    In demand

  • 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.

    What else you need

    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.

    Median pay$103,500

    In demand

  • Roof Plumber

    Roof plumbers cut, fit and seal the metal roofing, gutters, downpipes and flashings that keep water out of a building.

    What else you need

    Completed through an apprenticeship with an employer. The award alone does not confer a licence: you apply to your state or territory plumbing licensing authority (rules differ) and may need a separate roof plumbing or roofing licence class. Check the regulator and provider. 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$91,000 (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.

What it costs

Subsidised place

From $2,990

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

Paying the full fee

$21,010 to $35,168

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

  • TAFE NSWNSW

    Subsidised
    $2,990
    Concession
    $240
    Full fee
    $21,010
    How long
    1 to 4 years

  • Chisholm InstituteVIC

    Subsidised
    $7,528
    Concession
    $1,506
    Full fee
    $26,500

  • GOTAFEVIC

    Full fee
    $32,285

  • The GordonVIC

    Subsidised
    $6,544
    Concession
    $1,302
    Full fee
    $35,168

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 28 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

The main topics covered in the Certificate III in Plumbing.

  • 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
See all 43 core units

Core units

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

  • Loading the details for CPCCCM2012…

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 prepares you for trade work as a plumber in residential, industrial and commercial settings, installing and maintaining water services, sanitary plumbing, drainage, gas and roofing. You work independently and take responsibility for your work.

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. You also need general construction induction training before entering a construction site.

Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?

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.

How is it different from Certificate II in Plumbing?

This is the higher level. It is the trade qualification behind most plumbing careers, and it is suitable for an Australian Apprenticeship pathway. Certificate II in Plumbing is a lower level qualification in the same subject.

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.