Personalised for LOCAL students.
Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.
Personalised for INTERNATIONAL students.
International student means; you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.

Certificate III in Plumbing

Code: CPC32420

Sorry, this course is not available for international students.

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Overview

Campus
Duration

4 years full time

Next Intake

Ongoing

Lay the groundwork for a future-safe career with a Certificate III in Plumbing CPC32420

Progress your career in plumbing with a Certificate III in Plumbing CPC32420 at Melbourne Polytechnic. Complete this course while doing your apprenticeship and join the path to becoming a qualified plumber.

Develop specialist skills with hands-on learning

You’ll master in-demand skills in practical learning environments and gain knowledge in a variety of specialist areas. This includes installing and maintaining pipework as well as drainage, roofing, fire hydrants and irrigation systems. You’ll train on-the-job with your employer and participate in full-sized projects in our modern training facilities under the guidance of experienced teachers.

Melbourne Polytechnic plumbing students have a reputation for excellence, receiving industry recognition at the Plumbing and Fire Industry Awards and Master Plumbers Awards.

Complete a Certificate III in Plumbing CPC32420 and create your own path

This certificate opens doors to a range of opportunities. You can choose to work as a sole trader or become an employee in a plumbing or construction business. You might work as a general plumber or choose to specialise in a certain area like water heaters or stormwater systems. You can use your Certificate III in Plumbing CPC32420 as a pathway to further training or higher education.

Career Pathways

Where will the Certificate III in Plumbing CPC32420 take me?

Completing a Certificate III in Plumbing CPC32420 opens doors to a range of opportunities. You can choose to work as a sole trader or become an employee in a plumbing or construction business. You might work as a general plumber or choose to specialise in a certain area like water heaters or stormwater systems.

  • Water Heater Technician
  • Domestic Plumber
  • Commercial Plumber
  • Irrigation Plumber
  • Industrial Plumber
  • Fire System Technician

Study Pathways

Upon successful completion of the course, students will have completed the 'off-the-job' requirements of the Certificate III in Plumbing CPC32420, and will become eligible to undertake the Victorian Building Authority Apprentice Registration exam.

Course Details

Delivery methods

Blended delivery within an apprenticeship model.

  • Apprenticeship

How you will study

Each course has a dedicated learning method that is designed to let you thrive in your studies.

On-campus

Interactive learning in a face-to-face environment. Classes will be held at a Melbourne Polytechnic campus or partner institute. Visit the How You'll Study page for more information.

Class Schedule

Course duration may vary depending on the student completing all competencies as required. The course is delivered in a block release format. 8am - 4pm.

Assessment Methods

For the majority of the course you will be assessed by practical demonstration. There are some theory-based assessments. The final exam is held at Melbourne Polytechnic by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).

Units of Study

The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.

Code Subject Elective Hours
CPCCCM2012 Work safely at heights Core 8
CPCCCM3001 Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres Elective 32
CPCCWHS2001 Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry Elective 20
CPCPCM2039 Carry out interactive workplace communication Core 10
CPCPCM2040 Read plans, calculate quantities and mark out materials Core 28
CPCPCM2041 Work effectively in the plumbing services sector Core 15
CPCPCM2043 Carry out WHS requirements Core 50
CPCPCM2045 Handle and store plumbing materials Core 6
CPCPCM2046 Use plumbing hand and power tools Core 40
CPCPCM2047 Carry out levelling Core 6
CPCPCM2048 Cut and join sheet metal Core 8
CPCPCM2049 Cut using oxy-acetylene equipment Elective 8
CPCPCM2052 Weld mild steel using oxy-acetylene equipment Elective 16
CPCPCM2053 Weld using metal arc welding equipment Elective 16
CPCPCM2054 Carry out simple concreting and rendering Core 16
CPCPCM2055 Work safely on roofs Core 20
CPCPCM3021 Flash penetrations through roofs and walls Core 18
CPCPCM3022 Weld polymer pipes using fusion method Core 8
CPCPCM3023 Fabricate and install non-ferrous pressure piping Core 12
CPCPCM3024 Prepare simple drawings Core 20
CPCPCM3025 Install trench support Core 16
CPCPDR2021 Locate and clear blockages Core 8
CPCPDR2025 Install stormwater and sub-soil drainage systems and drain work site Core 20
CPCPDR2026 Install prefabricated inspection openings and inspection chambers Core 4
CPCPDR3021 Plan layout and install below ground sanitary drainage systems Core 38
CPCPDR3023 Install on-site domestic wastewater treatment plants and disposal systems Core 25
CPCPFS3031 Fabricate and install fire hydrant and hose reel systems Core 40
CPCPFS3037 Install residential life safety sprinkler systems Elective 60
CPCPFS3038 Test and maintain fire hydrant and hose reel installations Elective 60
CPCPGS3046 Install LPG systems in caravans, mobile homes and mobile workplaces Elective 12
CPCPGS3047 Install LPG systems in marine craft Elective 12
CPCPGS3048 Install gas pressure control equipment Core 8
CPCPGS3049 Install gas appliance flues Core 12
CPCPGS3051 Purge consumer piping Core 8
CPCPGS3052 Maintain Type A gas appliances Elective 12
CPCPGS3053 Disconnect and reconnect Type A gas appliances Core 16
CPCPGS3054 Calculate and install natural ventilation for Type A gas appliances Core 8
CPCPGS3056 Size and install consumer gas piping systems Core 32
CPCPGS3059 Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity up to 500 litres Core 22
CPCPGS3060 Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity exceeding 500 litres and less than 8 kl Elective 4
CPCPGS3061 Install and commission Type A gas appliances Core 30
CPCPIG2021 Design domestic urban irrigation systems Elective 5
CPCPIG3021 Set out, install and commission irrigation systems Elective 4
CPCPIG3022 Install and commission domestic irrigation pumps Elective 4
CPCPRF2022 Select and install roof sheeting and wall cladding Elective 30
CPCPRF2023 Collect and store roof water Core 10
CPCPRF3021 Receive roofing materials Elective 4
CPCPRF3022 Fabricate and install roof drainage systems Core 48
CPCPRF3023 Fabricate and install external flashings Core 16
CPCPRF3024 Install roof components Core 10
CPCPRF3025 Install roof coverings to curved roof structures Elective 12
CPCPRF3026 Install roof sheets, wall cladding and complex flashings Elective 30
CPCPSN3011 Plan the layout of a residential sanitary plumbing system and fabricate and install sanitary stacks Core 36
CPCPSN3022 Install discharge pipes Core 28
CPCPSN3025 Install pre-treatment facilities Elective 8
CPCPSN3026 Install sewerage pumpsets Elective 8
CPCPWT3020 Connect and install storage tanks to a domestic water supply Core 12
CPCPWT3021 Set out and install water services Core 36
CPCPWT3022 Install and commission water heating systems and adjust controls and devices Core 35
CPCPWT3024 Install and maintain domestic water treatment equipment Elective 10
CPCPWT3025 Install water pumpsets Core 8
CPCPWT3026 Install and fit off sanitary fixtures, water services and adjust water service controls Core 36
CPCPWT3027 Install backflow prevention devices Core 6
CPCPWT3028 Install property service Elective 10
CPCPWT3029 Install water pipe systems Elective 12
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid Core 18

Attend an Information Session

Our information sessions will give you an in-depth look at your chosen area of study and answer your questions about your course.

Fees & Costs

Tuition Fees
Concession Government subsidised fee Non-subsidised fee
Tuition fee $1390 $6950 $30300
Materials fee $45 $45 $45
Maximum annual amenities $175 $250 $250
Total payable $1610 $7245 $30595
Per year $0
Per semester $0

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.

Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Contact us to find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy.

Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.

Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1st of November. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.

After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.

For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.

Fees explained

The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment. 

Check your eligibility here.

The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.

Check your eligibility here.

Concession fees are charged at 20 per cent of the standard fees for enrolments in Certificate I to IV courses. To be eligible students must meet Skills First eligibility criteria and present a valid:

  • Commonwealth Health Care card, or
  • Pensioner Concession card, or
  • Any dependent spouse or dependent child of one of the above cardholders, or
  • Veterans Gold card.

The following groups are eligible for concession fees from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma level:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
  • Asylum Seekers and victims of human trafficking

Additional expenses

The Student Services and Amenities Fee is charged at forty cents (40 cents) per student contact hour and is capped over a twelve (12) month period, effective from the enrolment date, to:

  • $250 for full fee-paying students; and
  • $175 for concession-paying students studying Certificate I, II, III, or IV.

Amenities fees are used to improve non-academic services including libraries, counselling services, student support, and recreational activities.

All materials are supplied as part of enrolment fees. Equipment lists are available from the Trades department.

Requirements

You must be employed as an apprentice plumber.

Next Steps

Apprenticeships are coordinated via the Trade and Traineeship Support Unit (TSU) where you will provide details of your employer, who will register you with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider.

The AASN will register your training contract with EPSILON and you will be allocated an EPSILON number. Melbourne Polytechnic will then be able to enrol you into your training program.

If you have any questions about the application procedures for an apprenticeship, please contact the TSU.

Recognising Organisations

Nationally Recognised Training

Nationally Recognised Training This course is government accredited and has national recognition.

You are currently looking at information for local students

Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.