Skip to content
careertips

HomeCoursesManufacturing and process operationsCertificate III in Printing

Certificate III in Printing

This qualification trains people to work as print machinists, the operators who set up and run printing presses and digital printers.

  • Duration: 3 years
  • Study mode: On campus and workplace based
  • Course code: ICP31220

Where you can study this course

Where
Study mode

  • TAFE NSW

    Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    Ultimo Campus (Apprenticeship)
    Duration
    3 years
    Study mode
    Combination
    Full fee
    Not stated by provider

    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
    South Bank
    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.

  • Holmesglen Institute

    Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    Chadstone
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    Varies by campus
    Full fee
    Not stated by provider

    What students say

    Students have mixed views on the trainers and teaching, and many also mention problems with communication and with organisation and admin.

  • Halo Nation Training Pty Ltd

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

Last reviewed 20 September 2026.

Set your location

Enter your postcode to see the providers closest to you first.

We use your postcode to sort providers by distance and to understand where people are looking to study. See our privacy policy.

Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

Nil

  • 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 printing presses and machines work
  • a careful eye for detail when checking printed work
  • patience for setting up and adjusting equipment
  • a practical approach to solving problems as they arise

What will you learn?

You learn to prepare materials, get a job ready to run, watch the output as it comes off the machine and fix the problems that come up along the way. The course also covers checking printed work against the customer's standards, keeping the work area safe and working with less waste. It suits someone already on a press who wants formal recognition, or a new starter moving into print production.

  • Setting up and running printing presses
  • Digital and screen printing
  • Preparing materials and stock
  • Checking print quality
  • Fixing production problems
  • Safe and sustainable work practices

Units of competency (5 core, 16 elective)

The qualification is made up of 21 units. Everyone completes the 5 core units below, and the remaining 16 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 BSBSUS201…

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