CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing

VU course code: CPC32420 | Level of study: TAFE
4 years part time
Face to Face and Workplace
Sunshine
29 January 2024
20 December 2024
Overview

Overview

Get the training and support needed to gain your plumbing qualification with a Certificate III in Plumbing CPC32420 at Victoria University.

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 apply to become a registered plumber. 

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

  • water and sanitary services
  • drainage and blockage clearance
  • plumbing materials 
  • plumbing hand and power tools
  • mechanical services
  • roofing
  • gasfitting
  • welding and pipe fabrication
  • maintaining evaporative air-cooling systems
  • reading plans and specifications
  • workplace safety.

With your employer, you can choose to complete any one or a combination of the four occupational options:

  • General Plumbing
  • General Plumbing – Roofing
  • General Plumbing – Mechanical 
  • General Plumbing – Roofing and Mechanical.

You will graduate with the skills, confidence and experience to be job-ready, able to work in residential, industrial and commercial workplaces in both existing and new constructions.

NRT logoThis course is nationally recognised training.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your education, work experience, current skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a different course. We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’, which lets you finish your course more quickly when you have gained some of the skills required from past study or work experience.

Entry criteria

Credit & Entry pathways into this course


Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To be awarded the CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing, competency in one of the four occupational options must be achieved.
OPTION 1: General Plumbing To be awarded the CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber), a minimum of 58 units are to be completed as follows:

  • 43 core units
  • 15 elective units, of which:

- 8 units from Group A and

- 4 units from Group B and

- 3 units from Group C

- Up to 4 elective units may be replaced by units from any other group or from any relevant nationally endorsed Training Package or accredited course. The units must contribute to the vocational outcomes of the qualification.


OPTION 2: General Plumbing – Roofing

To be awarded the CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber and Roofing), a minimum of 62 units are to be completed as follows:

  • 43 core units
  • 19 elective units, of which;

- 8 units from Group A and

- 4 units from Group B and

- 3 units from Group C and

- 4 units from Group D

- Up to 4 elective units may be replaced by units from any other group or from any relevant nationally endorsed Training Package or accredited course. The units must contribute to the vocational outcomes of the qualification.


OPTION 3: General Plumbing – Mechanical

To be awarded the CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumbing and Mechanical), a minimum of 73 units are to be completed as follows:

  • 43 core units
  • 30 electives, of which;

- 8 units from Group A and

- 4 units from Group B and

- 3 units from Group C and

- 7 units from Group E and

- 8 units from Group F

- Up to 4 elective units may be replaced by units from any other group or from any relevant nationally endorsed Training Package or accredited course. The units must contribute to the vocational outcomes of the qualification.


OPTION 4: General Plumbing – Roofing and Mechanical

To be awarded the CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber Roofing and Mechanical), a minimum of 77 units are to be completed as follows:

  • 43 core units
  • 34 electives, of which;

- 8 units from Group A and

- 4 units from Group B and

- 3 units from Group C and

- 4 units from Group D and

- 7 units from Group E and

- 8 units from Group F

- Up to 4 elective units may be replaced by units from any other group or from any relevant nationally endorsed Training Package or accredited course.


Victoria University's delivery structure is designed around Option 4: General Plumbing - Roofing and Mechanical, with the other 3 options embedded in the overall program. This provides students with the opportunity to complete all 4 options within the one program.


Note - Additional units have been included in the course structure, to meet the requirements of the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) Gazette for plumbing registration.

Units

Fees & scholarships

TAFE fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer.

Fees

Scholarships

Careers

This is a trade qualification for plumbers in residential, industrial and commercial workplaces who are responsible for assembling, installing and maintaining water services, sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage services in both existing and new constructions.

Occupational titles could include:

  • plumber
  • plumber and drainer.

VU stories

Bryce Williamson.
Prize-winning plumber
Certificate III in Plumbing CPC32420, Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services CPC40920
"The resources at VU are excellent and I’ve received so much help from the staff - it’s a great place to study. "
Bryce's story