Overview

Get hands-on experience that leads to a wide-range of fabrication work with the Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade. Designed for apprentices, training includes both on and off-the-job training in steel erection, sheet metal work and welding. 

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

  • Nationally recognised training
    Nationally recognised training
Course currently in transition

The course code, title, units, and content may change. Further information will become available on our website, upon enrolment or during your studies.

Put Swinburne to the test

Looking for your #1 VTAC preference? Join us online for the VTAC Applications and Scholarship Webinar on 29 August, or attend our on-campus Aviation Info Session on 31 August.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Fabrication work
  • Structural steel erection
  • Sheet metal work
  • Welding

Your career opportunities

  • Boiler maker
  • Structural fabrication
  • Mining
  • Sheet Metal worker

Location options

Admissions

Year 10 pass preferable and engaged as an apprentice.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

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.

Course structure

The qualification has been specifically developed to meet the needs of apprentices in the metal fabrication trade. The qualification packaging has been designed so that competency will be developed through an integrated combination of on and off-the-job learning strategies through a formal apprenticeship.

The skills associated with this qualification are intended to apply to a wide range of fabrication work, including undertaking metal fabrication, structural steel erection, sheet metal work and welding

12
Core units
+
18
Elective units
=
Certificate III
Indicative nominal course hours: 960

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering
Core unit
MEM13015
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
Core unit
MSMENV272
Organise and communicate information
Core unit
MEM16006A
Undertake manual handling
Core unit
MEM11011
Assist in the provision of on-the-job training
Core unit
MEM17003
Perform computations
Core unit
MEM12024
Perform engineering measurement
Core unit
MEM12023
Interpret technical drawing
Core unit
MEM09002
Interact with computing technology
Core unit
MEM16008A
Plan work activities
Core unit
MEM14006
Use hand tools
Core unit
MEM18001
Use power tools/hand held operations
Core unit
MEM18002
Units of study Unit code
Elective units
Perform routine manual metal arc welding
Elective unit
MEM05012
Perform manual heating and thermal cutting
Elective unit
MEM05007
Carry out mechanical cutting
Elective unit
MEM05005
Perform routine gas tungsten arc welding
Elective unit
MEM05049
Perform routine gas metal arc welding
Elective unit
MEM05050
Select welding processes
Elective unit
MEM05051
Apply safe welding practices
Elective unit
MEM05052
Perform advanced manual thermal cutting, gouging and shaping
Elective unit
MEM05008
Weld using manual metal arc welding process
Elective unit
MEM05015
Weld using gas metal arc welding process
Elective unit
MEM05017
Mark off/out structural fabrications and shapes
Elective unit
MEM12007
Weld using gas tungsten arc welding process
Elective unit
MEM05019
Perform geometric development
Elective unit
MEM05037
Perform automated thermal cutting
Elective unit
MEM05009
Apply fabrication, forming and shaping techniques
Elective unit
MEM05010
Assemble fabricated components
Elective unit
MEM05011
Perform advanced welding using gas tungsten arc welding process
Elective unit
MEM05020
Units of study Unit code
Elective units
Perform emergency first aid
Elective unit
MEM13001

2023 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$16,390

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$5,720

Concession rate* ($AUD)

$1,144

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 2023 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 only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

Skills first government-subsidised place

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 Financials
  • 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 2023 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.

Representatives and agents
MEM30319
Search for agents

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.

Australian Apprenticeship Centre
Visit website
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Last date to apply
Start dates
October intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
27-September-2023
Start dates
02-October-2023
February intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
24-January-2024
Start dates
29-January-2024
April intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
27-March-2024
Start dates
01-April-2024
July intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
26-June-2024
Start dates
01-July-2024
Start dates
Location
Start dates
October intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
02-October-2023
February intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
29-January-2024
April intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
01-April-2024
July intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
01-July-2024
Upcoming events
Swinburne Innovation Challenge
29-November-2023