Skip to content
careertips

HomeCoursesManufacturing and process operationsCertificate III

Certificate III · national qualification

Certificate III in Process Manufacturing

If you already work on a production line and want to take on more responsibility, this qualification builds the skills to run and support manufacturing processes across chemical, plastics, rubber, cablemaking and mineral products plants.

Compare 4 providers
How long it takes
1 to 2 years
typical for this level
Taught by
4 providers
Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

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

It helps to have

  • an interest in how production processes work
  • a careful approach to working safely
  • good communication skills for recording information
  • problem solving skills for when things go wrong

Before you start

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Where this course can take you

No job needs this course on its own, but it can help with the work below.

Jobs this course can help with

None of these jobs needs a set qualification.

  • Clay Products Machine Operator

    Clay products machine operators run the extruders, presses and kilns that turn clay into bricks, roof tiles and pipes, keeping a plant's output steady and to size.

    Median pay$65,000 (estimate)

  • Glass Production Operator

    Glass production operators run the furnaces, forming machines and finishing lines that turn molten glass into bottles, jars, windows and specialist products, and their control of temperature and timing keeps output consistent.

    Median pay$65,000 (estimate)

  • Machine Operator

    Machine operators set up and run production machinery, keeping output consistent and within spec across a shift.

    Median pay$80,800

  • Packaging Operator

    Packaging operators run the machinery that fills, wraps and seals products before they leave a factory for sale or distribution.

    Median pay$49,300 (estimate)

  • Process Worker

    Process workers run and monitor machinery on a production line, keeping product moving to spec and on schedule.

    Median pay$79,000

  • Textile Machine Operator

    Textile machine operators run the looms, knitting machines and spinning frames that turn fibre into yarn and fabric, checking quality as the machines run.

    Median pay$65,000 (estimate)

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.

What you’ll learn

The main topics covered in the Certificate III in Process Manufacturing.

  • Workplace health and safety
  • Environmental work practices
  • Recording production information
  • Solving production problems
  • Production support tasks
  • Cross-sector manufacturing processes
See all 3 core units

Core units

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

  • Loading the details for MSMENV272…

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 suits people already working on a production line who want more responsibility, or who move between process areas and provide production support. It builds skills to run and support manufacturing processes across chemical, plastics, rubber, cablemaking and mineral products plants, anticipating and solving problems rather than only following procedures. It can lead to roles like Clay Products Machine Operator, Glass Production Operator, Packaging Operator or Rubber Machine Operator.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Each provider can set its own conditions, so check with the one you choose.

Related courses

The national training register, training.gov.au. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.