Information on this page is for Australian residents

Course not available to international students

Duration: 
4 years part time
Location: 
Industry
Sunshine
Other
Delivery mode: 
Face to Face
Workplace

Applications for next intake due 31 December 2018

Apply

Overview

Get the training and support needed to gain your plumbing qualification with a Certificate III in Plumbing at Victoria Polytechnic.

This is an apprenticeship course, designed for those currently employed as plumbing apprentices. It will provide you with the formal trade certificate you need in order to become a registered plumber.

Through classroom learning and work-based tasks, you’ll gain skills and knowledge to complement your on-the-job training. You’ll learn about:

  • water and sanitary services
  • drainage and blockage clearance
  • mechanical services
  • roofing
  • gasfitting
  • welding and pipe fabrication
  • reading plans and specifications
  • workplace safety.

You will graduate with the skills, confidence and experience to be job-ready.

Everything you learn at Victoria Polytechnic has direct links to the real world. You’ll learn practical skills on special purpose machinery at our Construction Hub, giving you the chance to test out your theoretical knowledge. Learning with us means you’ll get the hands-on learning to be job-ready when you graduate.

You’ll learn from teachers who have valuable industry contacts and the latest industry-standard skills.  You’ll also develop links with industry and professional experience through:

  • industry projects
  • live work
  • site visits.

VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.

Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

Our programs include:

  • workshops
  • drop-in sessions
  • peer mentoring
  • maths and writing resources
  • resume and career guidance.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced Victoria Polytechnic course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back

TAFE resources

Obtain your formal trade certificate in order to become a registered plumber through Victoria Polytechnic's Certificate III in Plumbing.

Careers in plumbing

The plumbing services industry provides licensed plumbing and drainage services including installing and repairing water supply, sewer lines, septic tanks, drainage and gas systems. Plumbers mostly work in small businesses.

This industry-focused trade certificate from Victoria Polytechnic will ensure you are ready to start your career in plumbing. You will be eligible to work as a registered plumber, under the supervision of a licensed plumber.

Potential job titles include:

  • plumber
  • plumber and drainer
  • plumber and gasfitter
  • gasfitter
  • roof plumber.
Mark Thistlewaitemain

Taking the plunger

Mature-age apprentice Mark Thistlewhite decided to leave cooking for plumbing and hasn’t looked back.

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Nationally recognised training

This course is nationally recognised training.

Course structure

To be awarded the CPC32413 Certificate III in Plumbing, a student must successfully complete:

  • all core units from:

  • Stream 1 Water (24) and Stream 2 Sanitary (6) as well as;
  • Stream 1 Water elective units (5) and Stream 2 Sanitary elective units (4).

Plus two of the following four stream requirements:

  • Stream 3 Drainage: 9 core units and 3 elective units from the drainage stream;
  • Stream 4 Mechanical services: 4 core units and 11 elective units from the mechanical services stream;
  • Stream 5 Roofing: 8 core units and 4 elective units from the roofing stream, and/or;
  • Stream 6 Gas services: 12 core units and 5 elective units from the gas services stream.

NB: Units of competency achieved in one stream count as credit for the same unit in the core or elective requirements for any other stream.

Core units

Water Stream

Sanitary Stream

Drainage Stream

Mechanical Services Stream

Roofing Stream

Gas Services Stream

Elective units

Water Stream

Sanitary Stream

Drainage Stream:

Mechanical Services Stream:

Roofing Stream Stream:

Gas Services Stream:

This qualification provides a trade outcome in plumbing.

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional \'elective\' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type: VET

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full-fee paying place.

If you enrol in a:

  • Government subsidised place, you’ll pay a VET tuition fee and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee and course materials contribution.
  • full-fee paying place, you’ll pay the full-fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).

Calculate your course fees.

Find out:

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admission & pathways

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course.

Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

How to apply

Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.

Before you apply, consider whether you also wish to apply for:

When you're ready:

You will need to create an account (or use your existing VU one).

Direct applications due 31 December 2018.

Apply direct to VU

Learn more about apprenticeships at VU.

Contact us if you have questions about this course.

Use our Admissions centre to

  • Save incomplete applications to finish later
  • Submit applications for one or more courses
  • Track the progress of your applications
  • Upload any additional information we request

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (remember to check your Spam folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

Enquire now

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Contact VU Polytechnic

Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.