Certificate III in Plumbing

Certificate III in Plumbing - CPC32420

VOCATIONAL

Get the skills and experience you need to do gas fitting, water, sanitary, drainage, roofing and mechanical services to become a registered plumber. 

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable*

Duration:
Full-time 4 years
Fees:

Fee finder

Next intake:
See Apply for details
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Not applicable
Next intake:
Not applicable
Location:
Not applicable

This certificate provides training for plumbing apprentices and covers the practical and theoretical aspects of the industry.

This is an apprenticeship program.

Through your studies in this certificate, you will specialise in gas-fitting, water, sanitary, drainage and roofing during the first three stages of training. If your employer agrees, you can choose to complete a fourth stage in mechanical services.

After completing your apprenticeship and your Journeyman’s exam, you can apply to the Victorian Building Authority to become a registered plumber.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Details

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Learning and teaching

RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations, group discussions and syndicate work.

Assessment methods

Ongoing assessment throughout this certificate may include examinations, essays, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects, and practical assignments.

As an apprentice, you will learn while on the job. Feedback from work supervisors and others maybe used as evidence of competency.

This course is competency-based and has been designed to help you develop the practical skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in your chosen field. You will learn and be assessed by practising and demonstrating your capabilities, all of which can be readily applied in the workplace.

In addition to the specific vocational skills you build throughout this course, you will also develop a set of essential employability skills, including communication, planning, organising, and problem solving, self-management, initiative and teamwork. These foundational skills will enable you to navigate the world of work, collaborate effectively with others, and successfully get the job done.

This certificate is based on general plumbing roofing and mechanical streams.  

There are 83 subjects comprising 43 core units and 40 electives. The electives have been chosen to reflect the discipline of plumbing required for registration and licensing, as prescribed by the VBA.

This apprenticeship runs over three years with the bulk of time spent working with your employer and block releases to study on-campus at RMIT.

You'll study five streams of plumbing, comprising three stages of study: drainage, gas, roofing, sanitary and water. You may also choose to study the mechanical stream, which requires an additional stage of study.

As part of your certificate, you will learn to:

  • Weld polymer pipes using fusion method
  • Install and commission Type-A gas appliances
  • Plan the layout of a residential sanitary plumbing system and fabricate and install sanitary stacks
  • Carry out levelling   
  • Read plans, calculate quantities and mark out materials                                    
  • Maintain mechanical services equipment   
  • Work safely on roofs
  • Flash penetrations through roofs and walls

 

 

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Certificate III in Plumbing
Program code: C3411
National curriculum code: CPC32420
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Certificate III in Plumbing
City Campus
Full Time 4 Years
C3411
Location
City Campus
Duration
Full Time 4 Years
Plan code
C3411
CRICOS
View plan
Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber and Roofing)
City Campus
Full Time 4 Years
C3411GR
Location
City Campus
Duration
Full Time 4 Years
Plan code
C3411GR
CRICOS
View plan
Certificate III Plumbing (General Plumber Roofing and Mechanical)
City Campus
Full Time 4 Years
C3411GRM
Location
City Campus
Duration
Full Time 4 Years
Plan code
C3411GRM
CRICOS
View plan

Career

Trained plumbers install and repair equipment such as boilers, pumps, heating and cooling systems, natural gas appliances, water tanks, solar heating systems, sinks, basins and showers.

Plumbers may be self-employed, employed in small firms, or employed in large construction firms.

The demand for skilled professionals in the plumbing trade is strong. With new construction continuing to show growth, the need for maintenance of infrastructure is increasing.

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

This program is delivered as an apprenticeship. To enrol in this program as an apprentice you should:

  • Make contact with Australian Apprenticeship Support Network who can explain Apprenticeship and assist with finding employment as an apprentice.
  • Sign a training contract with your employer and the Apprenticeship Network provider
  • Nominate RMIT as your preferred Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

You will be contacted by RMIT after we are notified by the Apprenticeship Network to organise your enrolment.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

Pathways and further study

A pathway is an alternative way to get into a course. RMIT's pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for, even if you don't meet the requirements for your destination course.

Pathways into the Certificate III in Plumbing

Unfortunately we are currently unable to offer formal pathways into this course. Contact Study@RMIT to discuss your options.

Further study

When you successfully complete this certificate, you may be eligible to apply for further studies at RMIT such as a diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree.

Credit and recognition of prior learning

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Find out more about Credit and RPL at RMIT

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Find out more about Credit and RPL at RMIT

Fees

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Tuition fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2026 government subsidised place (with concession): AU$700* per annum
  • 2026 government subsidised place (without concession): AU$3,500* per annum
  • 2026 full-fee place: AU$8,500* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$373 maximum fee for 2026*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2026 is $373.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession or exemption if you are in a Victorian Government subsidised place and you meet the eligibility criteria.

If your application for a fee concession is approved, you will be charged 20% of the standard government subsidised tuition fee for your program. You will also be charged a lower rate on your student services and amenities fee (SSAF).

Scholarships

Check your eligibility for a scholarship

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Check your eligibility for a scholarship

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions

This course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

Information for international students

Sorry, this course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

 

Information for local students

If you are a local student please select 'switch to local' below to view the full course information.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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