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HomeCoursesManufacturing and process operationsCertificate III in Upholstery

Certificate III in Upholstery

This is the trade certificate for people who upholster furniture, from stripping a chair back to its frame to fitting the finished cover.

  • Duration: 3 years
  • Study mode: On campus and workplace based
  • Course code: MSF30722

Where you can study this course

Where
Study mode

  • TAFE NSW

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    Campuses
    2 campuses
    Duration
    3 years
    Study mode
    On campus
    Full fee
    $15,340
    Eligible students: subsidised from $2,680, 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.

  • TAFE Queensland

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    Campuses
    Acacia Ridge
    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.

  • Holmesglen Institute

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    Campuses
    Chadstone
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    Varies by campus
    Full fee
    $19,796
    Eligible students: subsidised from $2,172, concession $435

    What students say

    Students have mixed views on the trainers and teaching, and many also mention problems with communication and with organisation and admin.

  • North Metropolitan TAFE

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    Campuses
    Balga
    Duration
    Not stated by provider
    Study mode
    Apprenticeship
    Full fee
    Not stated by provider

    What students say

    Opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, with some students finding the organisation and admin frustrating and a number unhappy with the course content.

Last reviewed 20 September 2026.

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Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

Nil

  • 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.

Entry recommendations

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

  • an interest in working with furniture and fabrics
  • patience for careful measuring, cutting and fitting
  • good hand skills and an eye for detail
  • a willingness to work safely and as part of a team

What will you learn?

You learn to measure and cut fabric and leather, sew covers on an industrial machine, fit and staple them, and rebuild springs, padding and frames, along with costing a job and working safely in a workshop. Most graduates work alongside an experienced upholsterer before taking on their own jobs, and the electives let you branch into marine or automotive trimming, drawing plans on a computer, or running a small business.

  • Measuring and cutting fabric
  • Sewing upholstery covers
  • Fitting fabric and leather
  • Dismantling and reassembling furniture
  • Estimating and costing jobs
  • Using upholstery tools

Units of competency (12 core, 13 elective)

The qualification is made up of 25 units. Everyone completes the 12 core units below, and the remaining 13 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 MSFGN2001…

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