Certificate III trade courses
Trade Courses in Australia– Domestic and International Students
Trade courses in Australia are nationally recognised vocational qualifications that teach hands-on skills for a specific occupation, usually at Certificate III level. At Austra College, you can choose from 14 Certificate III trade courses across construction, commercial cookery, automotive, furniture making and engineering. Courses are delivered on campus in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide. Austra College is a CRICOS-registered provider (03187D) and RTO (40336), so international students can apply.
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Courses — 24 VET Qualifications across 7 packages, plus ELICOS
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Campuses — Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide
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AQF 3- 8
AQF-aligned qualifications, Certificate III to Graduate Diploma
How do I choose the right Trade Course in Australia?
Work through these five questions in order — they filter out most wrong choices in under ten minutes.
Do you want to work with your hands or lead a team?
Hands-on trades like carpentry, cookery, automotive or fabrication suit people who like practical work. Leadership, management and IT courses suit people who want to supervise teams or work in an office setting.
What’s your current level?
Certificate III is trade-entry. Certificate IV assumes foundational skills. Diploma and above assume prior study or experience.
Where do you want to live and work?
Most courses run across all four campuses. Five construction and engineering trade courses — Stonemasonry, Joinery, Roof Plumbing, Wall and Ceiling Lining, and Engineering (Fabrication Trade) — are currently Melbourne and Sydney only.
Are you a domestic or international student?
International applicants must choose a CRICOS-registered course delivered full-time on campus.
Where does it lead next?
A good course should credit into a higher qualification — check the pathway before enrolling, not after.
What courses can I study at Austra College?
Browse by industry. Certificate III through Graduate Diploma, aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework and delivered by RTO 40336. Courses marked TRADE COURSE are our Certificate III are on-tools Trade Courses in Australia marked MEL + SYD are currently delivered only at our Melbourne and Sydney campuses — everything else is offered across all four campuses.
Hospitality and Management Courses (SIT)
Practical kitchen and hospitality training in commercial-standard simulation kitchens, from trade-entry cookery through to venue management.
Construction Trade Courses (CPC)
The largest trade course cluster at Austra College — six on-tools construction trades plus a builder-level diploma.
Automotive Courses (AUR)
Workshop-based training in light vehicle servicing, fault diagnosis, and automotive technology.
Furniture Making & Glazing (MSF)
Hands-on trades that sit between construction and manufacturing — workshop precision work.
Engineering & Fabrication (MEM)
Workshop-based metal fabrication, cutting, forming, and welding skills for the engineering and manufacturing sector.
Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade
MEM31925
TRADE COURSE
MEL + SYD
English Language (ELICOS)
A six-level General English program, from Beginner to Advanced, for students building English skills for everyday life and further study.
ELICOS
General English — Beginner to Advanced (6 levels)
ELICOS is an English language program, not a VET qualification, and runs at all four Austra College campuses.
ELICOS is an English language program, not a VET qualification, and runs at all four Austra College campuses.
Information Technology (ICT)
Leadership & Management (BSB)
Business qualifications for supervisors, team leaders and managers, including a postgraduate-level Graduate Diploma.
Why study Trade Courses in Australia?
Trade courses focus on practical skills and workplace-style training. Jobs and Skills Australia’s 2025 Occupation Shortage List reports that Technicians and Trades Workers account for the largest share of persistent shortages. NCVER’s VET student outcomes survey also reports on graduate employment and satisfaction. Results vary by qualification, location and individual circumstances.
A trade qualification can also be a starting point for further study. For example, you can progress from a Certificate III to a Certificate IV or Diploma in a related field.
Where can I study trade courses in Australia with Austra College?
Most courses run at all four campuses. Five Melbourne/Sydney-only trade courses are marked on the course list above. Confirm exact availability and intake dates with a course advisor before applying.
Melbourne
LEVEL 5/131 QUEEN ST MELBOURNE VIC 3000
All 25 courses, including all Melbourne/Sydney-only trades.
Sydney (Granville)
LEVEL 2/133 PARRAMATTA RD
GRANVILLE NSW 2142
All 25 courses, including all Melbourne/Sydney-only trades.
Perth
LEVEL 2/440 WILLIAM ST
PERTH WA 6000
Standard course range — excludes Melbourne/Sydney-only trades.
Adelaide
LEVEL 3/90 KING WILLIAM ST
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Standard course range — excludes Melbourne/Sydney-only trades.
Can international students study trade courses in Melbourne and other campuses?
Yes. Austra College is registered on CRICOS (CRICOS Code: 03187D), meaning our qualifications are registered for delivery to international students.
Study mode
On-campus and full-time. Practical trade training is delivered in workshops, training environments and simulation kitchens, so attendance is hands-on by design.
English requirements
Varies by qualification and AQF level. Certificate III courses generally have lower requirements than Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses — confirm on the individual course page.
Packaged study plans
Many international students combine a Certificate III with a Certificate IV or Diploma — for example, SIT30821 → SIT40521 → SIT50422.
Campus choice
Course availability differs by campus and intake, so confirm your qualification is running at your preferred campus before you apply.
Entry requirements and application conditions vary by individual circumstances. Speak to an Austra College course advisor or education agent for advice on your situation.
What career progression do Austra College courses lead to?
Most qualifications stack. Each level opens the next.
| Start here | Progress to | Then to |
|---|---|---|
| SIT30821 — Cert III Commercial Cookery | SIT40521 — Cert IV Kitchen Management | SIT50422 Diploma → SIT60322 Advanced Diploma Hospitality Management |
| CPC30326 — Cert III Carpentry | CPC50220 — Diploma of Building and Construction | Builder registration (set by each state/territory regulator) |
| AUR30620 — Cert III Light Vehicle | AUR40226 — Cert IV Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis | AUR50216 — Diploma of Automotive Technology |
| BSB40520 — Cert IV Leadership | BSB50420 — Diploma of Leadership and Management |
Diploma and Advanced Diploma graduates may also receive credit toward a related bachelor’s degree, depending on the university’s admission arrangements. Licensing for trades (such as builder or electrical licensing) is administered by each state or territory regulator — a qualification alone does not automatically grant a licence.
What are VET courses in Australia?
VET (Vocational Education and Training) is Australia’s national system of practical, industry-linked qualifications delivered by registered training organisations — assessed on units of competency rather than exams. 5.1 million domestic and international students were enrolled in nationally recognised VET in 2025 (NCVER).
Nationally recognised
A qualification earned in Perth is valid in Brisbane, Darwin or Hobart. Course codes (SIT, CPC, AUR, ICT, BSB, MSF) are set nationally, not by individual colleges.
AQF-aligned
Each qualification sits at a defined level on the Australian Qualifications Framework — Certificate III (AQF 3) through to Graduate Diploma (AQF 8).
Regulated
RTOs are audited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). Courses delivered to international students must also be registered on CRICOS.
What’s the difference between a VET course and a trade course?
Every trade course is a VET course, but not every VET course is a trade course. Trade courses in Australia train you for a specific hands-on occupation — carpenter, chef, motor mechanic, roof plumber, cabinet maker, bricklayer — typically at Certificate III level with substantial practical assessment. A non-trade VET course, like the BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management, builds professional capability without tying you to one on-tools occupation. ELICOS General English sits outside the VET system entirely — it’s a separately regulated English language program, not a nationally recognised VET qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What courses does Austra College offer in Australia?
Austra College offers 25 courses in total: 24 nationally recognised VET qualifications across seven training packages — Hospitality (SIT), Construction (CPC), Automotive (AUR), Information Technology (ICT), Leadership and Management (BSB), Furniture Making (MSF) and Engineering (MEM) — from Certificate III through to Graduate Diploma, plus a six-level ELICOS General English program.
What is the difference between a trade course and an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship combines paid employment with training, usually over several years. A trade course is a classroom- and workshop-based qualification delivered by an RTO. Eligibility for each depends on your circumstances.
Which trade courses in Australia does Austra College deliver?
Austra College delivers trade qualifications including Certificate III in Carpentry, Painting and Decorating, Solid Plastering, Construction Waterproofing, Bricklaying and Blocklaying, Wall and Ceiling Lining, Joinery, Stonemasonry, Roof Plumbing, Commercial Cookery, Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, Cabinet Making and Timber Technology, Glass and Glazing, and Engineering (Fabrication Trade), plus Certificate IV and Diploma-level progression qualifications. Wall and Ceiling Lining, Joinery, Stonemasonry, Roof Plumbing and Engineering (Fabrication Trade) are currently delivered only at the Melbourne and Sydney campuses.
Where can I study trade courses in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth or Adelaide?
Austra College has four campuses: Level 5/131 Queen Street Melbourne, Level 2/133 Parramatta Road Granville (Sydney), Level 2/440 William Street Perth, and Level 3/90 King William Street Adelaide. Most courses run at all four; five construction and engineering trade courses currently run only at the Melbourne and Sydney campuses.
Are Austra College courses nationally recognised?
Yes. Austra College is a registered training organisation (RTO Code: 40336) delivering nationally recognised qualifications aligned to the Australian Qualifications Framework and regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority.
Can international students enrol in trade courses in Melbourne?
Yes. Austra College is registered on CRICOS (CRICOS Code: 03187D). International students can enrol in CRICOS-registered trade courses in Melbourne and at our Sydney, Perth and Adelaide campuses, studying face-to-face and full-time on campus. Entry requirements vary by qualification — confirm on the individual course page.
Does Austra College offer English language courses?
Yes. Austra College offers ELICOS General English, a six-level program from Beginner to Advanced, at all four campuses — Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide. ELICOS is an English language program, not a VET qualification, and is registered separately on CRICOS.
Do I need experience to start a trade course?
No, for Certificate III qualifications. Certificate III is a trade-entry level and assumes no prior trade qualification. Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Graduate Diploma courses typically expect prior study or relevant workplace experience.
How long does a trade course take?
Most Certificate III trade courses at Austra College take to complete full-time. Certificate IV and Diploma courses take. Duration depends on the qualification and campus, and is listed on each course page
Does a trade qualification give me a licence to work?
Not automatically. Trade licensing and builder registration are administered separately by each state and territory regulator. A nationally recognised qualification is usually a prerequisite, but additional experience or licensing steps may apply.
25 courses. 4 campuses. One clear next step.
Austra College offers trade courses in Australia across construction, commercial cookery, automotive, engineering and furniture making. Every course is nationally recognised, delivered by an ASQA-regulated RTO and CRICOS-registered for international students. Choose your course, check your campus and intake dates, and apply online.