Overview
Gain the necessary skills to become a plumber or gasfitter with the Certificate III in Plumbing. This apprenticeship course gives you hands-on-experience in welding, blockage clearance, pipe fabrication, plan interpretation and workplace safety. Graduate ready to sit the plumbing registration exam conducted by the Victorian Building Authority.
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
Are you in high school?
Back by popular demand: A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student. See what uni is really like with hands-on workshops, presentations and more across different study areas.
Skills you’ll learn
- Workplace Health and Safety
- Air Conditioner Installation
- Sprinkler and gas piping systems
- Welding
- Blockage clearance
- Pipe fabrication
Your career opportunities
- Plumber
- Gas fitter
- Roof plumber
Students show their skills
The Plumbing WorldSkills Competition offers students an incredible opportunity to show off their skills and network with industry.
In 2018, the competition was proudly hosted by Swinburne, and students from various TAFEs gathered to compete for prizes and accolades.
Admissions
Applicants must be at least 15 years of age and apprenticed to an employer or a referral from the Plumbing Industry Commission of Victoria.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
Credit transfer
Credit transfer is the recognition of academic credits gained through formal study (i.e. units of competency) completed either at another institute or in another qualification. The total amount of credit will vary from individual to individual, based on the unit/s that have been successfully completed.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of transferring the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime (irrespective of how they were obtained) against the requirements of the unit.
RPL is an assessment process that requires you to provide evidence that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the unit/s. The amount and types of evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit requirements.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
-
Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship)
-
Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying
-
Certificate III in Carpentry
Course structure
This course will be delivered by several methods. There will be some lecture-style delivery, face-to-face in a workshop and some content delivered online. There is opportunity for some workplace delivery and onsite assessments are available for suitable competencies.
This qualification has core and elective units of competency requirements that cover common and specialist skills for the plumbing industry in specialist streams:
- Foundation stream (10 core units and 4 elective units)
- Water stream (6 core units and 8 elective units)
- Sanitary stream (5 core units and 1 elective unit)
- Drainage stream (9 core units and 1 elective unit)
- Roofing stream (5 core units and 5 elective units)
- Gas Services stream (8 core units and 5 elective units)
- Mechanical Services stream (16 elective units)
For the Certificate III in Plumbing qualification of General Plumbing - Roofing and Mechanical, students are required to complete all units of study below.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Carry out WHS requirements
Core unit |
CPCPCM2043 |
|
Work effectively in the plumbing services sector
Core unit |
CPCPCM2041 |
|
Use plumbing hand and power tools
Core unit |
CPCPCM2046A |
|
Cut and join sheet metal
Core unit |
CPCPCM2048A |
|
Provide First Aid
Core unit |
HLTAID011 |
|
Handle and store plumbing materials
Core unit |
CPCPCM2045A |
|
Fabricate and install non-ferrous pressure piping
Core unit |
CPCPCM3023A |
|
Work safely at heights
Core unit |
CPCCCM2012 |
|
Carry out interactive workplace communication
Core unit |
CPCPCM2039A |
|
Work safely on roofs
Core unit |
CPCPCM2055A |
|
Set out and install water services
Core unit |
CPCPWT3021A |
|
Connect and install storage tanks to a domestic water supply
Core unit |
CPCPWT3020A |
|
Install and adjust water service controls and devices
Core unit |
CPCPWT3022A |
|
Install water pumpsets
Core unit |
CPCPWT3025A |
|
Connect irrigation systems from drinking water supply
Core unit |
CPCPWT3027A |
|
Fabricate and install fire hydrant and hose reel systems
Core unit |
CPCPFS3031A |
|
Install discharge pipes
Core unit |
CPCPSN3022A |
|
Weld polyethylene and polypropylene pipes using fusion method
Core unit |
CPCPCM3022A |
|
Carry out simple concreting and rendering
Core unit |
CPCPCM2054A |
|
Fit off and commission heated and cold water services
Core unit |
CPCPWT3026A |
|
Plan layout of a residential sanitary plumbing system
Core unit |
CPCPSN3011B |
|
Fabricate and install roof drainage components
Core unit |
CPCPRF3022A |
|
Fabricate and install external flashings
Core unit |
CPCPRF3023A |
|
Collect and store roof water
Core unit |
CPCPRF2023A |
|
Install roof components
Core unit |
CPCPRF3024A |
|
Flash penetrations through roofs and walls
Core unit |
CPCPCM3021A |
|
Install gas piping systems
Core unit |
CPCPGS3056A |
|
Calculate and install natural ventilation for Type A gas appliances
Core unit |
CPCPGS3054A |
|
Install and commission Type A gas appliances
Core unit |
CPCPGS3061A |
|
Install Type A gas appliance flues
Core unit |
CPCPGS3049A |
|
Install gas pressure control equipment
Core unit |
CPCPGS3048A |
|
Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity up to 500 litres
Core unit |
CPCPGS3059A |
|
Purge consumer piping
Core unit |
CPCPGS3051A |
|
Disconnect and reconnect Type A gas appliances
Core unit |
CPCPGS3053A |
|
Carry out levelling
Core unit |
CPCPCM2047A |
|
Install prefabricated inspection openings and enclosures
Core unit |
CPCPDR2026A |
|
Drain work site
Core unit |
CPCPDR2025A |
|
Install trench support
Core unit |
CPCPCM3025 |
|
Prepare simple drawings
Core unit |
CPCPCM3024 |
|
Plan layout of a residential sanitary drainage system
Core unit |
CPCPDR3021A |
|
Read plans and calculate plumbing quantities
Core unit |
CPCPCM2040A |
|
Install on-site disposal systems
Core unit |
CPCPDR3023A |
|
Locate and clear blockages
Core unit |
CPCPDR2021A |
| Elective units | |
|
Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry
Elective unit |
CPCCWHS2001 |
|
Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace
Elective unit |
UEECD0007 |
|
Weld using oxy-acetylene equipment
Elective unit |
CPCPCM2052A |
|
Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres
Elective unit |
CPCCCM3001 |
|
Install water service
Elective unit |
CPCPWT3028A |
|
Install water pipe systems
Elective unit |
CPCPWT3029A |
|
Install and maintain domestic water treatment equipment
Elective unit |
CPCPWT3024 |
|
Design domestic urban irrigation systems
Elective unit |
CPCPIG2021A |
|
Set out, install and commission irrigation systems
Elective unit |
CPCPIG3021A |
|
Install and commission domestic irrigation pumps
Elective unit |
CPCPIG3022A |
|
Install domestic and residential life safety sprinkler systems
Elective unit |
CPCPFS3037A |
|
Test and maintain fire hydrant and hose reel installations
Elective unit |
CPCPFS3038 |
|
Install sewerage pumpsets
Elective unit |
CPCPSN3026A |
|
Receive roofing materials
Elective unit |
CPCPRF3021A |
|
Select and install roof sheeting and wall cladding
Elective unit |
CPCPRF2022A |
|
Install composite roof systems
Elective unit |
CPCPRF3026A |
|
Install roof coverings to curved roof structures
Elective unit |
CPCPRF3025A |
|
Complete penetrations and flashings
Elective unit |
CPCCWC2001 |
|
Install LPG systems in caravans, mobile homes and mobile workplaces
Elective unit |
CPCPGS3046A |
|
Install LPG systems in marine craft
Elective unit |
CPCPGS3047A |
|
Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity exceeding 500 litres and less than 8KL
Elective unit |
CPCPGS3060A |
|
Maintain Type A gas appliances
Elective unit |
CPCPGS3052A |
|
Install domestic solid fuel burning appliances
Elective unit |
CPCPMS3041 |
|
Install pre-treatment facilities
Elective unit |
CPCPSN3025A |
|
Weld using manual metal arc welding equipment
Elective unit |
CPCPCM2053A |
|
Cut using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment
Elective unit |
CPCPCM2049A |
|
Fabricate and install steel pressure piping
Elective unit |
CPCPMS3031A |
|
Install small bore heating systems
Elective unit |
CPCPMS3033A |
|
Select and fit insulation and sheathing
Elective unit |
CPCPMS3032A |
|
Assemble mechanical services components
Elective unit |
CPCPMS2021A |
|
Install and test ducting systems
Elective unit |
CPCPMS3035A |
|
Install air handling units
Elective unit |
CPCPMS3036A |
|
Maintain mechanical services equipment
Elective unit |
CPCPMS3039A |
|
Install and maintain evaporative air cooling systems
Elective unit |
CPCPMS3040A |
|
Install medical gas pipeline systems
Elective unit |
CPCPMS3034A |
|
Install air conditioning control equipment
Elective unit |
CPCPMS3038 |
|
Install and start up single head split air conditioning and water heating heat pump systems
Elective unit |
UEERA0049 |
|
Prepare and connect refrigerant tubing and fittings
Elective unit |
UEERA0059 |
|
Recover, pressure test, evacuate, charge and leak test refrigerants - split systems
Elective unit |
UEERA0064 |
|
Install and commission a single head split system air conditioning
Elective unit |
CPCPMS3037 |
2025 fees
Full fee* ($AUD)
$35,830
Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)
$13,410
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$0.00
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$0.00
Fees are estimates only
Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Skills first government-subsidised place
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.
How do I pay my fees?
You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Finances
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Concessions rates for vocational students
If you’re enrolling in a Certificate IV-level program or below, are eligible for a government-subsidised training place and hold a valid concession card, you may be eligible for a concession of 80 per cent off the published fee of your unit(s) tuition – which means you’ll only be charged 20 per cent of the published fee.
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply for apprenticeship or traineeship
Before enrolling in one of our courses, you’ll need to find an employer willing to offer you an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Your employer will need to register you through an Australian Apprenticeship Centre (AAC) by calling 1800 639 629 or going to the Australian Apprenticeship Centre website.
If you need help with your CV, or finding the right employer, our team is here to help. You can contact them at the Swinburne Skills & Jobs Centre.