Certificate III in Plumbing
This course has been replaced with a newer course - this course is closed for new enrolments, the information on this page is provided for continuing students.
Students attend this course as part of a four-year apprenticeship. Successful completion of this course will allow students to attempt the plumbing registration exam conducted by the Victorian Building Authority. Students learn the skills and knowledge required to work in their specific area of plumbing, such as water, sanitary, drainage, roofing, gas services or mechanical services.
Duration
Up to 4 years (Croydon campus)
Study mode
- Part-time
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
Swinburne hosts WorldSkills Australia Regionals 2019
Held at Swinburne’s Croydon campus on 28 August, the WorldSkills Melbourne East Regionals featured five competing teams showcasing their skills across five trades.
For the Certificate III in Plumbing qualification, students are required to complete the Water and Sanitary streams, and must also complete two of the following four streams: Drainage, Roofing, Gas Services, or Mechanical Services.
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Roofing Stream
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Welding Stream
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Innovative Flexible Green Trades Complex
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Foundation Studies
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Gas Services Stream
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Mechancial Services Stream
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Gas Services Stream
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Roofing Stream
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Water Stream
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Water and Drainage Stream
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Sanitary Stream
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Mechanical Services Stream
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.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
This plumbing apprenticeship course can be completed part-time over four years in conjunction with on the job training. A training plan can be negotiated with employers to suit their requirements.
In this course you will gain hands-on experience in areas such as installation of air conditioning, sprinkler and gas piping systems; welding; blockage clearance; pipe fabrication; plan interpretation; and workplace safety.
Our teachers are experienced plumbing professionals who maintain current industry practice and will guide you through your training.
The next step is the , which may enable you to gain a plumbing license.
In this course you will gain hands-on experience in areas such as installation of air conditioning, sprinkler and gas piping systems; welding; blockage clearance; pipe fabrication; plan interpretation; and workplace safety.
Our teachers are experienced plumbing professionals who maintain current industry practice and will guide you through your training.
The next step is the , which may enable you to gain a plumbing license.
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 six specialist streams:
Water stream (24 core units and 5 elective units)
Sanitary stream (6 core units and 4 elective units)
Drainage stream (9 core units and 3 elective units)
Roofing stream (8 core units and 4 elective units)
Gas Services stream (12 core units and 5 elective units)
Mechanical Services stream (4 core units and 11 elective units)
For the Certificate III in Plumbing qualification, students are required to complete the Water and Sanitary streams, and must also complete two of the following four streams: Drainage, Roofing, Gas Services, or Mechanical Services.
Note that units of competency achieved in one stream count as credit for the same unit in the core or elective requirements for any other stream.
This qualification has core and elective units of competency requirements that cover common and specialist skills for the plumbing industry in six specialist streams:
Water stream (24 core units and 5 elective units)
Sanitary stream (6 core units and 4 elective units)
Drainage stream (9 core units and 3 elective units)
Roofing stream (8 core units and 4 elective units)
Gas Services stream (12 core units and 5 elective units)
Mechanical Services stream (4 core units and 11 elective units)
For the Certificate III in Plumbing qualification, students are required to complete the Water and Sanitary streams, and must also complete two of the following four streams: Drainage, Roofing, Gas Services, or Mechanical Services.
Note that units of competency achieved in one stream count as credit for the same unit in the core or elective requirements for any other stream.
Units of study
Water stream
Core units
Carry out interactive workplace communication (CPCPCM2039A)
Read plans and calculate plumbing quantities (CPCPCM2040A)
Work effectively in the plumbing and services sector (CPCPCM2041A)
Carry out WHS requirements (CPCPCM2043A)
Handle and store plumbing materials (CPCPCM2045A)
Use plumbing hand and power tools (CPCPCM2046A)
Carry out levelling (CPCPCM2047A)
Mark out materials (CPCPCM2050A)
Weld using oxy-acetylene equipment (CPCPCM2052A)
Weld using manual metal arc welding equipment (CPCPCM2053A)
Carry out simple concreting and rendering (CPCPCM2054A)
Work safely on roofs (CPCPCM2055A)
Flash penetrations through roofs and walls (CPCPCM3021A)
Weld polyethylene and polypropylene pipes using fusion method (CPCPCM3022A)
Fabricate and install non-ferrous pressure piping (CPCPCM3023A)
Fabricate and install fire hydrant and hose reel systems (CPCPFS3031A)
Connect and install storage tanks to a domestic water supply (CPCPWT3020A)
Set out and install water services (CPCPWT3021A)
Install and adjust water service controls and devices (CPCPWT3022A)
Install and commission water heating systems (CPCPWT3023A)
Install water pumpsets (CPCPWT3025A)
Fit off and commission hot and cold water services (CPCPWT3026A)
Connect irrigation systems from drinking water supply (CPCPWT3027A)
Provide basic emergency life support (HLTFA211A)
Carry out interactive workplace communication (CPCPCM2039A)
Read plans and calculate plumbing quantities (CPCPCM2040A)
Work effectively in the plumbing and services sector (CPCPCM2041A)
Carry out WHS requirements (CPCPCM2043A)
Handle and store plumbing materials (CPCPCM2045A)
Use plumbing hand and power tools (CPCPCM2046A)
Carry out levelling (CPCPCM2047A)
Mark out materials (CPCPCM2050A)
Weld using oxy-acetylene equipment (CPCPCM2052A)
Weld using manual metal arc welding equipment (CPCPCM2053A)
Carry out simple concreting and rendering (CPCPCM2054A)
Work safely on roofs (CPCPCM2055A)
Flash penetrations through roofs and walls (CPCPCM3021A)
Weld polyethylene and polypropylene pipes using fusion method (CPCPCM3022A)
Fabricate and install non-ferrous pressure piping (CPCPCM3023A)
Fabricate and install fire hydrant and hose reel systems (CPCPFS3031A)
Connect and install storage tanks to a domestic water supply (CPCPWT3020A)
Set out and install water services (CPCPWT3021A)
Install and adjust water service controls and devices (CPCPWT3022A)
Install and commission water heating systems (CPCPWT3023A)
Install water pumpsets (CPCPWT3025A)
Fit off and commission hot and cold water services (CPCPWT3026A)
Connect irrigation systems from drinking water supply (CPCPWT3027A)
Provide basic emergency life support (HLTFA211A)
Elective units
Install domestic and residential life safety sprinkler systems (CPCPFS3037A)
Design domestic urban irrigation systems (CPCPIG2021A)
Set out, install and commission irrigation systems (CPCPIG3021A)
Install and commission domestic irrigation pumps (CPCPIG3022A)
Install water services (CPCPWT3028A)
Design domestic urban irrigation systems (CPCPIG2021A)
Set out, install and commission irrigation systems (CPCPIG3021A)
Install and commission domestic irrigation pumps (CPCPIG3022A)
Install water services (CPCPWT3028A)
Sanitary stream
Core units
Cut and join sheet metal (CPCPCM2048A)
Locate and clear blockages (CPCPDR2021A)
Plan layout of a residential sanitary plumbing system (CPCPSN3011B)
Install discharge pipes (CPCPSN3022A)
Fabricate and install sanitary stacks (CPCPSN3023A)
Install and fit off sanitary fixtures (CPCPSN3024A)
Elective units
Work safely at heights (CPCCCM2010B)
Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry (CPCCOHS2001A)
Cut using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment (CPCPCM2049A)
Install sewerage pumpsets (CPCPSN3026A)
Drainage stream
Core units
Locate and clear blockages (CPCPDR2021A)
Install domestic treatment plants (CPCPDR2022A)
Install stormwater and sub-soil drainage systems (CPCPDR2024A)
Drain work site (CPCPDR2025A)
Install prefabricated inspection openings and enclosures (CPCPDR2026A)
Plan layout of a residential sanitary drainage system (CPCPDR3021A)
Install below ground sanitary drainage systems (CPCPDR3022A)
Install on-site disposal systems (CPCPDR3023A)
Install trench support (RIICCM210A)
Elective units
Cut using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment (CPCPCM2049A)
Install sewerage pumpsets (CPCPSN3026A)
Drainage stream
Core units
Locate and clear blockages (CPCPDR2021A)
Install domestic treatment plants (CPCPDR2022A)
Install stormwater and sub-soil drainage systems (CPCPDR2024A)
Drain work site (CPCPDR2025A)
Install prefabricated inspection openings and enclosures (CPCPDR2026A)
Plan layout of a residential sanitary drainage system (CPCPDR3021A)
Install below ground sanitary drainage systems (CPCPDR3022A)
Install on-site disposal systems (CPCPDR3023A)
Install trench support (RIICCM210A)
Elective units
Maintain effluent disinfection systems (CPCPDR2023A)
Install pre-treatment facilities (CPCPSN3025A)
Install water pipe systems (CPCPWT3029A)
Roofing stream
Core units
Cut and join sheet metal (CPCPCM2048A)
Select and install roof sheeting and wall cladding (CPCPRF2022A)
Collect and store roof water (CPCPRF2023A)
Receive roofing materials (CPCPRF3021A)
Fabricate and install roof drainage components (CPCPRF3022A)
Fabricate and install external flashings (CPCPRF3023A)
Install roof components (CPCPRF3024A)
Install composite roof systems (CPCPRF3026A)
Elective units
Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding (CPCCCM2008B)
Work safely at heights (CPCCCM2010B)
Operate elevated work platforms (CPCCCM3001C)
Install roof coverings to curved roof structures (CPCPRF3025A)
Gas services stream
Core units
Cut and join sheet metal (CPCPCM2048A)
Install LPG systems in caravans, mobile homes and mobile workplaces (CPCPGS3046A)
Install LPG systems in marine craft (CPCPGS3047A)
Install gas pressure control equipment (CPCPGS3048A)
Install Type A gas appliance flues (CPCPGS3049A)
Purge consumer piping (CPCPGS3051A)
Disconnect and reconnect Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3053A)
Calculate and install natural ventilation for Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3054A)
Install gas piping systems (CPCPGS3056A)
Size consumer gas piping systems (CPCPGS3057A)
Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity up to 500 litres (CPCPGS3059A)
Install pre-treatment facilities (CPCPSN3025A)
Install water pipe systems (CPCPWT3029A)
Roofing stream
Core units
Cut and join sheet metal (CPCPCM2048A)
Select and install roof sheeting and wall cladding (CPCPRF2022A)
Collect and store roof water (CPCPRF2023A)
Receive roofing materials (CPCPRF3021A)
Fabricate and install roof drainage components (CPCPRF3022A)
Fabricate and install external flashings (CPCPRF3023A)
Install roof components (CPCPRF3024A)
Install composite roof systems (CPCPRF3026A)
Elective units
Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding (CPCCCM2008B)
Work safely at heights (CPCCCM2010B)
Operate elevated work platforms (CPCCCM3001C)
Install roof coverings to curved roof structures (CPCPRF3025A)
Gas services stream
Core units
Cut and join sheet metal (CPCPCM2048A)
Install LPG systems in caravans, mobile homes and mobile workplaces (CPCPGS3046A)
Install LPG systems in marine craft (CPCPGS3047A)
Install gas pressure control equipment (CPCPGS3048A)
Install Type A gas appliance flues (CPCPGS3049A)
Purge consumer piping (CPCPGS3051A)
Disconnect and reconnect Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3053A)
Calculate and install natural ventilation for Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3054A)
Install gas piping systems (CPCPGS3056A)
Size consumer gas piping systems (CPCPGS3057A)
Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity up to 500 litres (CPCPGS3059A)
Install and commission Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3061A)
Elective units
Elective units
Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry (CPCCOHS2001A)
Cut using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment (CPCPCM2049A)
Install Type B gas appliance flues (CPCPGS3050A)
Maintain Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3052A)
Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity exceeding 500 litres and less than 8KL (CPCPGS3060A)
Cut using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment (CPCPCM2049A)
Install Type B gas appliance flues (CPCPGS3050A)
Maintain Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3052A)
Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity exceeding 500 litres and less than 8KL (CPCPGS3060A)
Mechanical services stream
Core units
Core units
Apply Occupational Health and Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace (UEENEEE101A)
Assemble mechanical services components (CPCPMS2021A)
Fabricate and install steel pressure piping (CPCPMS3031A)
Install small bore heating systems (CPCPMS3033A)
Elective units
Select and fit insulation and sheathing (CPCPMS3032A)
Install medical gas pipeline systems (CPCPMS3034A)
Install and test ducting systems (CPCPMS3035A)
Install air handling units (CPCPMS3036A)
Install and test split system air conditioning (CPCPMS3037A)
Install air conditioning control equipment (CPCPMS3038A)
Install and maintain evaporative air cooling systems (CPCPMS3040A)
Maintain mechanical services equipment (CPCPMS3039A)
Install and maintain evaporative air cooling systems (CPCPMS3040A)
Maintain mechanical services equipment (CPCPMS3039A)
Prepare and connect refrigerant tubing and fittings (UEENEEJ102A)
Position, assemble and start up single head split air conditioning and water heating heat pump systems (UEENEEJ105A)
Recover, pressure test, evacuate, charge and leak test refrigerants - split systems (UEENEEJ172A)
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Graduates may find employment as a plumber, plumber and drainer, plumber and gas fitter, gasfitter and roof plumber.
Professional recognition
On completion, the student will have the skills and knowledge to gain registration as a plumber in Australia.
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Certificate III in PlumbingEstimated course fees for 2023* |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Course fee options | Full course fee | Skills First Government-subsidised place | Concession rate |
| Total Cost (GST Free) | $23,580 | $8,480 | $1,696 |
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.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.
Skills First Government-subsidised place
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
Concession rates for vocational students
You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession if you meet the eligibility criteria.
The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.
Find out if you're eligible for a fee concession here.
You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession if you meet the eligibility criteria.
The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.
Find out if you're eligible for a fee concession here.
Full course fee
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.
Indicative nominal course hours: 1,135.
Find out more about fees.
Entry requirements
Applicants must be at least 15 years of age and apprenticed to an employer or a referral from the Plumbing Industry Commission of Victoria.
How to apply
This course is closed for new enrolments.
Find out more
Submit an online enquiry
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE
Email: study@swinburne.edu.au
Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059