Food science and production courses
Want to work with food? You can start on a meat processing line with a certificate that takes under a year, or train for a trade such as baking or butchery. Here's what each course leads to and what the work involves.
- Quickest way to start
- 6 months
- Certificate II, typical full time length
- TAFE cost from
- $2,190
- subsidised Certificate III, TAFE NSW
- What the jobs pay
- $64,700 to $80,600
- median pay across 4 jobs
- Demand
- 4 of 4 jobs
- are on the national shortage list
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
A certificate in meat processing
Start work in meat processing
Work on a processing line in a slaughter floor, boning room or small goods plant, following food safety and quality checks and working safely around machinery.
Median pay$64,700
- How long it takes
- 6 to 24 months full time
Certificate III in Patisserie
Work as a pastry chef
Make the cakes, pastries, desserts and yeast products a pastry kitchen turns out each day, at commercial scale and to a consistent standard.
JobPastry Chef
Median pay$73,700
- How long it takes
- 1.5 to 2.5 years full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $3,254 at Chisholm Institute if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $10,789 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
Certificate III in Baking
Work as a baker
Produce bread, cakes, pastry and biscuits in a commercial bakery, and schedule the day's baking so everything comes out on time.
JobBaker
Median pay$73,700
- How long it takes
- 2 to 3 years full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $16,100 full fee at TAFE Queensland
- How you'll study
- On campus
Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher)
Work as a retail butcher
Break carcases down into cuts, make mince and sausages, and serve customers with advice on cooking and storing meat.
JobButcher
Median pay$80,600
- How long it takes
- 2.5 to 3 years full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $2,190 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $12,760 full fee
- How you'll study
- On campus or on the job
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate III in Baking | Certificate III in Food Processing | Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher) | Certificate III in Patisserie | Certificate IV in Patisserie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | Not listed | Not listed | $2,190 | $11,830 | $2,190 | $12,760 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | $3,254 | $10,789 | Not listed | Not listed |
| GOTAFE | VIC | Not listed | $27,300 | $4,173 | $10,023 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | $4,195 | $12,583 | $6,475 | $19,620 |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | Not listed | $16,100 | $6,120 | $9,370 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | $16,110 | Not listed | $8,810 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate III in Baking
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Food Processing
- $2,190 subsidised
- $11,830 full fee
- Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher)
- $2,190 subsidised
- $12,760 full fee
- Certificate III in Patisserie
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Patisserie
- Not listed
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Certificate III in Baking
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Food Processing
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher)
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Patisserie
- $3,254 subsidised
- $10,789 full fee
- Certificate IV in Patisserie
- Not listed
GOTAFEVIC
- Certificate III in Baking
- Not listed
- $27,300 full fee
- Certificate III in Food Processing
- $4,173 subsidised
- $10,023 full fee
- Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher)
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Patisserie
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Patisserie
- Not listed
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Certificate III in Baking
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Food Processing
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher)
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Patisserie
- $4,195 subsidised
- $12,583 full fee
- Certificate IV in Patisserie
- $6,475 subsidised
- $19,620 full fee
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Certificate III in Baking
- Not listed
- $16,100 full fee
- Certificate III in Food Processing
- $6,120 subsidised
- $9,370 full fee
- Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher)
- Not listed
- Certificate III in Patisserie
- Not listed
- $16,110 full fee
- Certificate IV in Patisserie
- Not listed
- $8,810 full fee
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
The meat processing certificates compared
Both of these get you into a processing plant, and the site you work on uses the same routines either way. The difference is how much you take on: one trains you to work under supervision, the other to run part of a line and use your own judgement.
- Certificate II in Meat ProcessingThe entry point into meat processing, whether that is a slaughter floor, boning room, cold store, knackery or small goods plant. Training is largely hands-on and supervised, so you build the habits employers want.How long6 to 12 monthsResponsibilityEntry level, supervised
- Certificate III in Meat ProcessingFor skilled operators. You take charge of part of a line or the equipment that keeps it running, using your own judgement when something is not routine. You can specialise in quality work.How long1 to 2 yearsResponsibilityPart of a line, own judgement
Other university courses
Other certificates and diplomas
- Certificate III in Cake and Pastry18 to 24 months. Make the cakes, pastries and biscuits sold in bakeries and cafes using commercial equipment, and plan a day's production so it all comes out on time.
- Certificate III in Food Processing10 to 24 months. For people running food and drink production equipment who want to oversee a line or a shift, with options in dairy, brewing, milling and bottling.
Can help with: brewer, coffee roaster, food factory worker
- Certificate IV in Baking6 to 24 months. For qualified bakers who want to develop new products, run the baking side of a business day to day and supervise other staff.
- Certificate IV in Patisserie6 to 24 months. For people with kitchen experience who want to work as a pastry chef, making specialised cakes, petits fours and showpieces and leading a small team.
- Diploma of Food Science and Technology1 to 2 years. For food manufacturing workers moving into quality assurance or product development, covering food microbiology, safety plans and production trials.
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
- Meat Process WorkerWhat you needA certificate in meat processingMedian pay$64,700In demand
- BakerWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$73,700In demand
- ButcherWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$80,600In demand
- Pastry ChefWhat you needCertificate IIIMedian pay$73,700In demand
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.