Certificate III in Plumbing

Study at Swinburne > Courses > Find a course > Certificate III in Plumbing

National code: CPC32420 Certificate (TAFE) Send me a link to this course

Gain the skills and knowledge you need to become a plumber, gasfitter or roof plumber.

In this apprenticeship program, you’ll get hands-on experience in welding, blockage clearance, pipe fabrication, plan interpretation, workplace safety and installing air conditioning, and sprinkler and gas piping systems.

You can complete this plumbing apprenticeship course in conjunction with on-the-job training in four years of part-time study.

Graduate ready to sit the plumbing registration exam conducted by the Victorian Building Authority. And, if you meet the exam criteria, you’ll gain registration as a plumber in Australia and be ready for a career as a plumber, plumber and drainer, plumber and gasfitter, gasfitter, or roof plumber in your chosen field of plumbing – whether that be 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.

Roofing Stream
Welding Stream
Innovative Flexible Green Trades Complex
Foundation Studies
Gas Services Stream
Mechancial Services Stream
Gas Services Stream
Roofing Stream
Water Stream
Water and Drainage Stream
Sanitary Stream
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.

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.

Units of study

Core Units:

Carry out WHS requirements (CPCPCM2043)
Work effectively in the plumbing services sector (CPCPCM2041)
Use plumbing hand and power tools (CPCPCM2046)
Cut and join sheet metal (CPCPCM2048)
Provide First Aid (HLTAID011)
Handle and store plumbing materials (CPCPCM2045)
Fabricate and install non-ferrous pressure piping (CPCPCM3023)
Work safely at heights (CPCCCM2012)
Carry out interactive workplace communication (CPCPCM2039)
Work safely on roofs (CPCPCM2055)
Set out and install water services (CPCPWT3021)
Connect and install storage tanks to a domestic water supply (CPCPWT3020)
Install and commission water heating systems and adjust controls and devices (CPCPWT3022)
Install water pumpsets (CPCPWT3025)
Install backflow prevention devices (CPCPWT3027)
Fabricate and install fire hydrant and hose reel systems (CPCPFS3031)
Install discharge pipes (CPCPSN3022)
Weld polymer pipes using fusion method (CPCPCM3022)
Carry out simple concreting and rendering (CPCPCM2054)
Install and fit off sanitary fixtures, water services and adjust water service controls (CPCPWT3026)
Plan the layout of a residential sanitary plumbing system and fabricate and install sanitary stacks (CPCPSN3011)
Fabricate and install roof drainage systems (CPCPRF3022)
Fabricate and install external flashings (CPCPRF3023)
Collect and store roof water (CPCPRF2023)
Install roof components (CPCPRF3024)
Flash penetrations through roofs and walls (CPCPCM3021)
Size and install consumer gas piping systems (CPCPGS3056)
Calculate and install natural ventilation for Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3054)
Install and commission Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3061)
Install gas appliance flues (CPCPGS3049)
Install gas pressure control equipment (CPCPGS3048)
Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity up to 500 litres (CPCPGS3059)
Purge consumer piping (CPCPGS3051)
Disconnect and reconnect Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3053)
Carry out levelling (CPCPCM2047)
Install prefabricated inspection openings and inspection chambers (CPCPDR2026)
Install stormwater and sub-soil drainage systems and drain work site (CPCPDR2025)
Install trench support (CPCPCM3025)
Prepare simple drawings (CPCPCM3024)
Plan layout and install below ground sanitary drainage systems (CPCPDR3021)
Read plans, calculate quantities and mark out materials (CPCPCM2040)
Install on-site domestic wastewater treatment plants and disposal systems (CPCPDR3023)
Locate and clear blockages (CPCPDR2021)

Elective Units:
Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry (CPCCWHS2001)
Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace (UEECD0007)
Weld mild steel using oxy-acetylene equipment (CPCPCM2052)
Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres (CPCCCM3001)
Install property service (CPCPWT3028)
Install water pipe systems (CPCPWT3029)
Install and maintain domestic water treatment equipment (CPCPWT3024)
Design domestic urban irrigation systems (CPCPIG2021)
Set out, install and commission irrigation systems (CPCPIG3021)
Install and commission domestic irrigation pumps (CPCPIG3022)
Install residential life safety sprinkler systems (CPCPFS3037)
Test and maintain fire hydrant and hose reel installations (CPCPFS3038)
Install sewerage pumpsets (CPCPSN3026)
Receive roofing materials (CPCPRF3021)
Select and install roof sheeting and wall cladding (CPCPRF2022)
Install roof sheets, wall cladding and complex flashings (CPCPRF3026)
Install roof coverings to curved roof structures (CPCPRF3025)
Complete penetrations and flashings (CPCCWC2001)
Install LPG systems in caravans, mobile homes and mobile workplaces (CPCPGS3046)
Install LPG systems in marine craft (CPCPGS3047)
Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity exceeding 500 litres and less than 8 kl (CPCPGS3060)
Maintain Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3052)
Install domestic solid fuel burning appliances (CPCPMS3041)
Install pre-treatment facilities (CPCPSN3025)
Weld using metal arc welding equipment (CPCPCM2053)
Cut using oxy-acetylene equipment (CPCPCM2049)
Fabricate and install steel pressure piping (CPCPMS3031)
Install small bore heating systems (CPCPMS3033)
Select and fit insulation and sheathing (CPCPMS3032)
Assemble mechanical services components (CPCPMS2021)
Install and test ducting systems (CPCPMS3035)
Install air handling units (CPCPMS3036)
Maintain mechanical services equipment (CPCPMS3039)
Install and commission evaporative air cooling systems (CPCPMS3040)
Install and test medical gas pipeline systems (CPCPMS3034)
Install air conditioning control equipment (CPCPMS3038)
Install and start up single head split air conditioning and water heating heat pump systems (UEERA0049)
Prepare and connect refrigerant tubing and fittings (UEERA0059)
Recover, pressure test, evacuate, charge and leak test refrigerants - split systems (UEERA0064)
Install and commission a single head split system air conditioning (CPCPMS3037)

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.

Scholarships

At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. Find out more about scholarships.

Credit

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

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. Learn more about RPL.

Course fees and requirements

- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.

Course fees

Certificate III in Plumbing Estimated course fees for 2023*
Total Cost (GST Free)	$34,450	$12,390	$2,478

Estimated course fees for 2023*

Course fee options

Full course fee

Skills First Government-subsidised place

Concession rate

Total Cost (GST Free)

$34,450

$12,390

$2,478

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.

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.

Full course fee
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.

Indicative nominal course hours: 1,658.

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

Find out more about how to apply for apprenticeships and traineeships.

Find out more

Submit an online enquiry
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE

Email: study@swinburne.edu.au

Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059