Skip to content
careertips

HomeCoursesLogistics and supply chainCertificate III

Certificate III · national qualification

Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations

Supply chain operations work happens in warehouses, depots, terminals and on the road, and this certificate teaches the routines that keep goods moving safely.

Compare 17 providers
How long it takes
4 to 6 months
full time at TAFE NSW
What it costs
From $1,480
Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $10,950
How you can study
Online or on campus
Taught by
17 providers
Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

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

It helps to have

  • an interest in keeping goods moving safely
  • care with manual handling and load shifting
  • a willingness to follow set safety procedures
  • good judgement when delays or equipment choices come up

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.

  • Freight Handler

    Freight handlers load, unload and move cargo so goods reach warehouses, shops and ports when they are due.

    Median pay$65,000 (estimate)

  • Mail Sorter

    Mail sorters check the address and code on every letter or parcel passing through a depot so it ends up on the right delivery run.

    Median pay$49,300 (estimate)

  • Shipping Clerk

    Shipping clerks prepare and check outbound orders so goods leave the warehouse correctly labelled, documented and on time.

    Median pay$88,800

  • Stock Controller

    Stock controllers track what arrives, what leaves and what is left, so a warehouse or store knows what it actually holds.

    Median pay$80,800

  • Truck Offsider

    Truck offsiders work alongside a driver to load, unload and deliver freight, keeping each run moving on time.

    Median pay$62,400 (estimate)

  • Vending Machine Attendant

    Vending machine attendants restock, clean and repair the machines that sell snacks and drinks, driving a route from site to site.

    Median pay$59,800

  • Warehouse Administrator

    Warehouse administrators keep the stock records, order paperwork and delivery schedules that a warehouse runs on.

    Median pay$70,200 (estimate)

  • Warehouse Storeperson

    Warehouse storepersons receive, store and dispatch goods in warehouses and distribution centres, keeping stock moving and inventory records accurate.

    Median pay$69,100

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 $1,480

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

Paying the full fee

$5,381 to $10,950

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

  • TAFE NSWNSW

    Subsidised
    $1,480
    Concession
    $240
    Full fee
    $10,950
    How long
    4 to 6 months

  • The GordonVIC

    Subsidised
    $3,664
    Concession
    $735
    Full fee
    $5,381

  • TAFE QueenslandQLD

    Subsidised
    $4,635
    Concession
    $4,355
    Full fee
    $5,940

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 17 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: 2 that everyone takes and 12 you choose.

  • Safe manual handling
  • Moving and storing materials
  • Chain of Responsibility duties
  • Transport safety compliance
See all 2 core units

Core units

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

  • Loading the details for TLID0020…

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?

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.