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Certificate III · national qualification

Certificate III in Tourism

This qualification prepares you to work on the front line of tourism, in roles where you look after visitors, answer their questions and help them get what they need from a trip or an attraction.

Compare 14 providers
How long it takes
6 to 18 months
full time at TAFE NSW
What it costs
From $2,130
Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $8,720
How you can study
Online, on campus or a mix
Taught by
14 providers
7 states and territories

Is this course right for you?

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

It helps to have

  • an interest in helping visitors enjoy their trips
  • good communication skills
  • respect for people from different cultures
  • a careful approach to safety

Before you start

Each provider sets its own entry requirements, so check the ones you are considering.

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.

  • Hotel Porter

    Hotel porters carry guests' luggage and handle the front-of-house jobs that keep arrivals and departures running smoothly.

    Median pay$49,400 (estimate)

    In demand

  • Museum Guide

    Museum guides show visitors around exhibitions, explaining what they are looking at and why it matters.

    Median pay$54,600 (estimate)

    In demand

  • Ticket Seller

    Box office staff sell seats, passes and bookings for venues, transport and events, taking payment and getting people through the door.

    Median pay$49,400 (estimate)

  • Visitor Information Officer

    Visitor information officers answer visitors' questions about a destination and book the tours and experiences that follow.

    Median pay$58,200 (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 $2,130

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

Paying the full fee

$5,415 to $8,720

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

  • TAFE NSWNSW

    Subsidised
    $2,130
    Concession
    $240
    Full fee
    $7,500
    How long
    6 to 18 months

  • Holmesglen InstituteVIC

    Subsidised
    $3,703
    Concession
    $741
    Full fee
    $8,720

  • TAFE QueenslandQLD

    Subsidised
    $3,480
    Concession
    $3,060
    Full fee
    $5,415

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 14 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

15 units: 4 that everyone takes and 11 you choose.

  • Tourism industry knowledge
  • Finding travel information
  • Customer service
  • Working with diverse cultures
  • Tourism sales and bookings
  • Safe work practices
See all 4 core units

Core units

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

  • Loading the details for SITTIND003…

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 to work on the front line of tourism, looking after visitors and helping them with trips or attractions. You work with some independence and under limited supervision, guided by plans, policies and procedures.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

Entry requirements are set by each provider, so check with the provider you choose.

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.