Certificate III in Plumbing

This is an apprenticeship course (external link) , 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.

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;
• 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.

Course structure and units

Core units

Water Stream

• CPCPCM2039A - Carry out interactive workplace communication
• CPCPCM2040A - Read plans and calculate plumbing quantities
• CPCPCM2041A - Work effectively in the plumbing and services sector
• CPCPCM2043A - Carry out WHS requirements
• CPCPCM2045A - Handle and store plumbing materials
• CPCPCM2046A - Use plumbing hand and power tools
• CPCPCM2047A - Carry out levelling
• CPCPCM2050A - Mark out materials
• CPCPCM2052A - Weld using oxy-acetylene equipment
• CPCPCM2053A - Weld using manual metal arc welding equipment
• CPCPCM2054A - Carry out simple concreting and rendering
• CPCPCM2055A - Work safely on roofs
• CPCPCM3021A - Flash penetrations through roofs and walls
• CPCPCM3022A - Weld polyethylene and polypropylene pipes using fusion method
• CPCPCM3023A - Fabricate and install non-ferrous pressure piping
• CPCPFS3031A - Fabricate and install fire hydrant and hose reel systems
• CPCPWT3020A - Connect and install storage tanks to a domestic water supply
• CPCPWT3021A - Set out and install water services
• CPCPWT3022A - Install and adjust water service controls and devices
• CPCPWT3023A - Install and commission water heating systems
• CPCPWT3025A - Install water pumpsets
• CPCPWT3026A - Fit off and commission heated and cold water services
• CPCPWT3027A - Connect irrigation systems from drinking water supply
• HLTFA211A - Provide basic emergency life support

Sanitary Stream

• CPCPCM2048A - Cut and join sheet metal
• CPCPDR2021A - Locate and clear blockages
• CPCPSN3011B - Plan layout of a residential sanitary plumbing system
• CPCPSN3022A - Install discharge pipes
• CPCPSN3023A - Fabricate and install sanitary stacks
• CPCPSN3024A - Install and fit off sanitary fixtures

Drainage Stream

• CPCPDR2021A - Locate and clear blockages
• CPCPDR2022A - Install domestic treatment plants
• CPCPDR2024A - Install stormwater and sub-soil drainage systems
• CPCPDR2025A - Drain work site
• CPCPDR2026A - Install prefabricated inspection openings and enclosures
• CPCPDR3021A - Plan layout of a residential sanitary drainage system
• CPCPDR3022A - Install below ground sanitary drainage systems
• CPCPDR3023A - Install on-site disposal systems
• RIICCM210D - Install trench support

Mechanical Services Stream

• CPCPCM2048A - Cut and join sheet metal
• CPCPMS2021A - Assemble mechanical services components
• CPCPMS3031A - Fabricate and install steel pressure piping
• CPCPMS3033A - Install small bore heating systems

Roofing Stream

• CPCPCM2048A - Cut and join sheet metal
• CPCPRF2022A - Select and install roof sheeting and wall cladding
• CPCPRF2023A - Collect and store roof water
• CPCPRF3021A - Receive roofing materials
• CPCPRF3022A - Fabricate and install roof drainage components
• CPCPRF3023A - Fabricate and install external flashings
• CPCPRF3024A - Install roof components
• CPCPRF3026A - Install composite roof systems

Gas Services Stream

• CPCPCM2048A - Cut and join sheet metal
• CPCPGS3046A - Install LPG systems in caravans, mobile homes and mobile workplaces
• CPCPGS3047A - Install LPG systems in marine craft
• CPCPGS3048A - Install gas pressure control equipment
• CPCPGS3049A - Install type a gas appliance flues
• CPCPGS3051A - Purge consumer piping
• CPCPGS3053A - Disconnect and reconnect type A gas appliances
• CPCPGS3054A - Calculate and install natural ventilation for type a gas appliances
• CPCPGS3056A - Install gas piping systems
• CPCPGS3057A - Size consumer gas piping systems
• CPCPGS3059A - Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity up to 500 litres
• CPCPGS3061A - Install and commission type a gas appliances

Elective units

Water Stream

• CPCCCM2008B - Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding
• CPCCCM2010B - Work safely at heights
• CPCCCM3001C - Operate elevated work platforms
• CPCCOHS2001A - Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry
• CPCPCM2048A - Cut and join sheet metal
• CPCPCM2049A - Cut using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment
• CPCPFS3037A - Install domestic and residential life safety sprinkler systems
• CPCPIG2021A - Design domestic urban irrigation systems
• CPCPIG3021A - Set out, install and commission irrigation systems
• CPCPIG3022A - Install and commission domestic irrigation pumps
• CPCPMS3031A - Fabricate and install steel pressure piping
• CPCPMS3032A - Select and fit insulation and sheathing
• CPCPMS3033A - Install small bore heating systems
• CPCPMS3040A - Install and maintain evaporative air cooling systems
• CPCPRF2023A - Collect and store roof water
• CPCPWT3024A - Install and maintain domestic water treatment equipment
• CPCPWT3028A - Install water services
• CPCPWT3029A - Install water pipe systems
• RIICCM210D - Install trench support

Sanitary Stream

• CPCCCM2010B - Work safely at heights
• CPCCCM3001C - Operate elevated work platforms
• CPCCOHS2001A - Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry
• CPCPCM2049A - Cut using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment
• CPCPDR2022A - Install domestic treatment plants
• CPCPDR2023A - Maintain effluent disinfection systems
• CPCPDR2024A - Install stormwater and sub-soil drainage systems
• CPCPDR2025A - Drain work site
• CPCPDR2026A - Install prefabricated inspection openings and enclosures
• CPCPDR3022A - Install below ground sanitary drainage systems
• CPCPDR3023A - Install on-site disposal systems
• CPCPMS3032A - Select and fit insulation and sheathing
• CPCPSN3025A - Install pre-treatment facilities
• CPCPSN3026A - Install sewerage pumpsets
• RIICCM210D - Install trench support

Drainage Stream:

• CPCPCM2048A - Cut and join sheet metal
• CPCPCM2049A - Cut using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment
• CPCPDR2023A - Maintain effluent disinfection systems
• CPCPSN3025A - Install pre-treatment facilities
• CPCPWT3029A - Install water pipe systems

Mechanical Services Stream:

• CPCCCM2008B - Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding
• CPCCCM2010B - Work safely at heights
• CPCCCM3001C - Operate elevated work platforms
• CPCCOHS2001A - Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry
• CPCPCM2049A - Cut using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment
• CPCPMS3032A - Select and fit insulation and sheathing
• CPCPMS3034A - Install medical gas pipeline systems
• CPCPMS3035A - Install and test ducting systems
• CPCPMS3036A - Install air handling units
• CPCPMS3037A - Install and test split system air conditioning
• CPCPMS3038A - Install air conditioning control equipment
• CPCPMS3039A - Maintain mechanical services equipment
• CPCPMS3040A - Install and maintain evaporative air cooling systems
• CPCPRF3023A - Fabricate and install external flashings
• MEM10009B - Install refrigeration and air conditioning plant and equipment
• MEM10010B - Install pipework and pipework assemblies
• MEM18086B - Test, recover, evacuate and charge refrigeration systems
• RIICCM210D - Install trench support
• UEENEEE101A - Apply Occupational Health and Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace
• UEENEEJ102A - Prepare and connect refrigerant tubing and fittings
• UEENEEJ105A - Position, assemble and start up single head split air conditioning and water heating heat pump systems
• UEENEEJ172A - Recover, pressure test, evacuate, charge and leak test refrigerants - split systems

Roofing Stream:

• CPCCCM2008B - Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding
• CPCCCM2010B - Work safely at heights
• CPCCCM3001C - Operate elevated work platforms
• CPCCOHS2001A - Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry
• CPCPCM2049A - Cut using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment
• CPCPRF2024A - Fabricate roof coverings for curved structures
• CPCPRF3025A - Install roof coverings to curved roof structures
• RIICCM210D - Install trench support

Gas Services Stream:

• CPCCCM2008B - Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding
• CPCCCM2010B - Work safely at heights
• CPCCCM3001C - Operate elevated work platforms
• CPCCOHS2001A - Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry
• CPCPCM2049A - Cut using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment
• CPCPGS3050A - Install type b gas appliance flues
• CPCPGS3052A - Maintain type a gas appliances
• CPCPGS3060A - Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity exceeding 500 litres and less than 8kl
• CPCPMS2021A - Assemble mechanical services components
• CPCPMS3031A - Fabricate and install steel pressure piping
• CPCPMS3033A - Install small bore heating systems
• CPCPMS3036A - Install air handling units
• RIICCM210D - Install trench support

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.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

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.

Pathways from VU courses

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.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

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.

This qualification provides a trade outcome in plumbing.