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HomeCoursesBuilding and constructionCertificate III in Carpentry

Certificate III in Carpentry

This is the trade qualification you work through as an apprentice carpenter, covering both residential and commercial building sites.

Illustration of a person working as carpenter
  • Duration: 3 years to 4 years
  • Study mode: On campus and workplace based
  • Course code: CPC30220

Where you can study this course

Where
Study mode

  • Melbourne Polytechnic

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    Campuses
    13 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    A number of students find the organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some rate the facilities and campus highly.

  • TAFE NSW

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    Campuses
    36 campuses
    Duration
    3 years to 4 years
    Study mode
    Varies by campus
    Full fee
    $20,080
    Eligible students: subsidised from $2,990, concession $240

    What students say

    Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.

  • Victoria University

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    11 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Most students praise the student support, while others find it frustrating. Many rate the facilities and campus well, and some criticise the organisation and admin.

  • Charles Darwin University

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    12 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students often praise the facilities and campus, while some value student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on trainers and teaching, with communication also a concern.

  • Swinburne University of Technology

    Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    8 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Some students praise the facilities and campus, while some criticise organisation and admin for being frustrating, and opinions are mixed on course content. A number also mention student support and teaching positively or negatively.

  • TAFE Gippsland

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    Campuses
    11 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

  • RMIT University

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    Campuses
    15 campuses
    Duration
    Not yet checked
    Study mode
    Not yet checked
    Full fee
    Not yet checked

    What students say

    Students often find organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some praise the facilities and campus and student support.

  • TAFE Queensland

    Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
    Campuses
    15 campuses
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    Not stated by provider
    Full fee
    Not stated by provider

    What students say

    Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.

Last reviewed 20 September 2026.

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Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

  • Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
  • Yes. You need general construction induction training before starting on site, and achieving CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry meets that requirement. Licensing requirements for working as a carpenter differ between states and territories, so consult the relevant state and territory regulatory authority to confirm them.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:

  • an interest in building and construction work
  • a careful approach to safety on site
  • good hand skills and spatial awareness
  • an ability to work well in a team

What will you learn?

You learn to read plans and set out a site, then build the frame: flooring, wall frames, ceiling frames, roof trusses, pitched roofs and eaves. The training then moves into finishing work such as windows and doors, external cladding, internal lining, panelling and timber external stairs, along with formwork, basic concreting and safe work at heights. Before you start on site you also need general construction induction training, and the licensing requirements for working as a carpenter differ between states and territories.

  • Reading building plans
  • Setting out a site
  • Building wall and roof frames
  • Installing windows and doors
  • Formwork and concreting
  • Working safely at heights

Units of competency (27 core, 7 elective)

The qualification is made up of 34 units. Everyone completes the 27 core units below, and the remaining 7 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.

  • Loading the details for CPCCCA2002…

Career pathways

Roles this qualification is a recognised route into, and what else you need.

Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).