INTERNATIONAL

Certificate III in Carpentry

CRICOS Code: 114486C
National Code: CPC30220

2025 2026

Description

Become a qualified carpenter able to work in residential and commercial settings. You will learn how to construct, install, finish and repair structures and fixtures working with a range of tools, equipment and materials. You’ll also learn about constructing frames for walls and ceilings, installing windows and doors, constructing pitched and advanced roofs and eaves, and how to erect and dismantle formwork for footings and slabs on the ground. Carpenters generally work on large structural projects out on-site, including house frames, decking, and pergolas.

Duration (incl. holidays)

Semester(s)

Teaching Duration

Example Career Profile

Print Course Page

104 weeks

80 weeks

Carpenter

International Applications

Campus / Location

Study Mode

Contact Hours

Study Load

Commences

Scheduled

Tonsley

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

21 hours per week

Full Time

January, July

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On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 Overall with minimum of 5.0 in all bands or equivalent.
Satisfactory completion of Year 10 or overseas equivalent .

Work Placement Duration: 400 hours

International students will undertake 10 weeks of Vocational Placement in the final stage of this course. Students are encouraged to find their own placement but will be provided with assistance from the teaching team, if required.

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $8755

AUD $375^*

Semester 2

AUD $8755

AUD $75^*

Semester 3

AUD $8755

AUD $75^*

Semester 4

AUD $8755

AUD $75^*

Fee Totals

AUD $35020

AUD $600^*

Total Course Cost

AUD $35620

* International students will be required to purchase Personal Protection Equipment including safety glasses steel cap work boots, Hi Viz (high visibility) clothing and resource books. More details will be provided upon commencement.

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

Employment Outcomes

To become a carpenter you usually have to complete an apprenticeship in Carpentry.

Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

Qualifications & Skills Covered

Certificate III in Carpentry (CPC30220)
This course covers tools and equipment, materials, demolition, communication, measurements and calculations, interpreting plans, excavation, scaffolding and safety. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 27 core units plus 7 electives.

90%*
of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.

87%*
of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.

* 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

Course Units

Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

Core

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Apply Basic Levelling Procedures	8	CABWE	CPCCCM2006
Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry	20	CABXL	CPCCWHS2001
Carry out concreting to simple forms	20	BACDR	CPCCCO2013
Carry out general demolition of minor building structures	32	BACCR	CPCCCA3001
Carry out levelling operations	24	BACEF	CPCCOM3006
Carry out measurements and calculations	20	BACEC	CPCCOM1015
Carry out setting out	24	BACCS	CPCCCA3002
Conduct workplace communication	20	BACEB	CPCCOM1014
Construct and erect wall frames	60	BACCW	CPCCCA3004
Construct ceiling frames	32	BACCX	CPCCCA3005
Construct eaves	20	BACDA	CPCCCA3008
Construct pitched roofs	60	BACCZ	CPCCCA3007
Construct, assemble and install timber external stairs	40	BACDD	CPCCCA3016
Erect and dismantle formwork for footings and slabs on ground	24	BACDK	CPCCCA3028
Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding	40	CABYT	CPCCCM2008
Erect roof trusses	40	BACCY	CPCCCA3006
Handle carpentry materials	16	BACCP	CPCCCA2011
Identify construction work hazards and select risk control strategies	30	BACGR	CPCWHS3001
Install exterior cladding	20	BACDE	CPCCCA3017
Install flooring systems	40	BACCT	CPCCCA3003
Install lining, panelling and moulding	40	BACDF	CPCCCA3024
Install windows and doors	70	BACDB	CPCCCA3010
Perform construction calculations to determine carpentry material requirements	25	BACEE	CPCCOM3001
Read and interpret plans, specifications and drawings for carpentry work	36	BACDG	CPCCCA3025
Use carpentry tools and equipment	96	BACCN	CPCCCA2002
Work effectively and sustainably in the construction industry	20	BACDZ	CPCCOM1012
Work safely at heights	8	CABZC	CPCCCM2012

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Carry out hand excavation	16	BACHF	CPCCCM2002
Construct and install bulkheads	16	BACDC	CPCCCA3014
Frame and fit wet area fixtures	24	BACHD	CPCCCA3012
Install dry wall passive fire-rated systems	40	BACGB	CPCCWC3003
Manage finances for new business ventures	60	FADCX	BSBESB407
Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres	32	CABTL	CPCCCM3001
Set up, operate and maintain indirect action power-actuated power tools	20	BACHE	CPCCCA3027

Living in Adelaide

The city created for students

You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

A student city

Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

Safe

Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

Beach Culture

Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

Live centrally

Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

Delicious!

Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

Easy to get around

Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

Festivals

Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beautiful weather

Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.