Skip to content
careertips

HomeCoursesBuilding and constructionCertificate III

Certificate III · national qualification

Certificate III in Scaffolding

Scaffolding work is licensed, and this qualification is the training that sits behind a basic or intermediate scaffolder's licence.

Compare 5 providers
Illustration of a person working as scaffolder
How long it takes
4 months
full time at TAFE NSW
What it costs
From $1,690
Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $8,410
How you can study
On campus
Main job
Scaffolder
$91,000 (estimate) median pay, In demand
Taught by
5 providers
Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

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

It helps to have

  • an interest in construction work and how structures go up
  • a careful attitude to safety on site
  • the ability to work well in a team
  • basic measuring and planning skills

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

  • Scaffolder

    Scaffolders build the temporary platforms, towers and walkways that let other trades work safely at height.

    What else you need

    Scaffolding is a licensed occupation: a SafeWork high risk work licence is required and is assessed separately. Check the provider's program and your state's licensing rules.

    Median pay$91,000 (estimate)

    In demand

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.

What it costs

Subsidised place

From $1,690

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

Paying the full fee

$8,410

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

  • TAFE NSWNSW

    Subsidised
    $1,690
    Concession
    $240
    Full fee
    $8,410
    How long
    4 months

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 5 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

14 units: 10 that everyone takes and 4 you choose.

  • Reading plans and specifications
  • Levelling and site set-up
  • Erecting and dismantling scaffolds
  • Basic and intermediate scaffolding
  • Measuring and calculating
  • Work health and safety
See all 10 core units

Core units

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

  • Loading the details for CPCCCM2006…

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 heading into scaffolding operations on residential and commercial construction sites. It covers planning the job, levelling, reading plans, and erecting, altering and dismantling scaffolds, plus general construction skills like measurement, communication and safe work practices.

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 before you enrol.

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

Yes. Scaffolding is a licensed occupation, and this qualification is the training behind a basic or intermediate scaffolder's licence. Licensing is handled by state and territory regulators, so check the requirements with the one covering where you work.

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.