Certificate III in Plumbing

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National code: CPC32413 Certificate (TAFE) Send me a link to this course

This course has been replaced with a newer course - this course is closed for new enrolments, the information on this page is provided for continuing students.

Students attend this course as part of a four-year apprenticeship. Successful completion of this course will allow students to attempt the plumbing registration exam conducted by the Victorian Building Authority. Students learn the skills and knowledge required to work in their specific area of plumbing, such as water, sanitary, drainage, roofing, gas services or mechanical services.

Duration

Up to 4 years (Croydon campus)

Study mode

Part-time

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

Swinburne hosts WorldSkills Australia Regionals 2019

Held at Swinburne’s Croydon campus on 28 August, the WorldSkills Melbourne East Regionals featured five competing teams showcasing their skills across five trades.

For the Certificate III in Plumbing qualification, students are required to complete the Water and Sanitary streams, and must also complete two of the following four streams: Drainage, Roofing, Gas Services, or Mechanical Services.

Mechanical Services Stream
Roofing Stream
Welding Stream
Innovative Flexible Green Trades Complex
Foundation Studies
Gas Services Stream
Mechancial Services Stream
Gas Services Stream
Roofing Stream
Water Stream
Water and Drainage Stream
Sanitary Stream
Mechanical Services Stream
Roofing Stream

Students show their skills

The Plumbing WorldSkills Competition offers students an incredible opportunity to show off their skills and network with industry.

In 2018, the competition was proudly hosted by Swinburne, and students from various TAFEs gathered to compete for prizes and accolades.

Course information in detail

- Course detail, course structure and units of study.

Course description

This plumbing apprenticeship course can be completed part-time over four years in conjunction with on the job training. A training plan can be negotiated with employers to suit their requirements.

In this course you will gain hands-on experience in areas such as installation of air conditioning, sprinkler and gas piping systems; welding; blockage clearance; pipe fabrication; plan interpretation; and workplace safety.

Our teachers are experienced plumbing professionals who maintain current industry practice and will guide you through your training.

The next step is the , which may enable you to gain a plumbing license.

Course structure

This course will be delivered by several methods. There will be some lecture-style delivery, face-to-face in a workshop and some content delivered online. There is opportunity for some workplace delivery and onsite assessments are available for suitable competencies.

This qualification has core and elective units of competency requirements that cover common and specialist skills for the plumbing industry in six specialist streams:

Water stream (24 core units and 5 elective units)
Sanitary stream (6 core units and 4 elective units)
Drainage stream (9 core units and 3 elective units)
Roofing stream (8 core units and 4 elective units)
Gas Services stream (12 core units and 5 elective units)
Mechanical Services stream (4 core units and 11 elective units)

For the Certificate III in Plumbing qualification, students are required to complete the Water and Sanitary streams, and must also complete two of the following four streams: Drainage, Roofing, Gas Services, or Mechanical Services.

Note that units of competency achieved in one stream count as credit for the same unit in the core or elective requirements for any other stream.

Units of study

Water stream

Core units
Carry out interactive workplace communication (CPCPCM2039A)
Read plans and calculate plumbing quantities (CPCPCM2040A)
Work effectively in the plumbing and services sector (CPCPCM2041A)
Carry out WHS requirements (CPCPCM2043A)
Handle and store plumbing materials (CPCPCM2045A)
Use plumbing hand and power tools (CPCPCM2046A)
Carry out levelling (CPCPCM2047A)
Mark out materials (CPCPCM2050A)
Weld using oxy-acetylene equipment (CPCPCM2052A)
Weld using manual metal arc welding equipment (CPCPCM2053A)
Carry out simple concreting and rendering (CPCPCM2054A)
Work safely on roofs (CPCPCM2055A)
Flash penetrations through roofs and walls (CPCPCM3021A)
Weld polyethylene and polypropylene pipes using fusion method (CPCPCM3022A)
Fabricate and install non-ferrous pressure piping (CPCPCM3023A)
Fabricate and install fire hydrant and hose reel systems (CPCPFS3031A)
Connect and install storage tanks to a domestic water supply (CPCPWT3020A)
Set out and install water services (CPCPWT3021A)
Install and adjust water service controls and devices (CPCPWT3022A)
Install and commission water heating systems (CPCPWT3023A)
Install water pumpsets (CPCPWT3025A)
Fit off and commission hot and cold water services (CPCPWT3026A)
Connect irrigation systems from drinking water supply (CPCPWT3027A)
Provide basic emergency life support (HLTFA211A)

Elective units

Install domestic and residential life safety sprinkler systems (CPCPFS3037A)
Design domestic urban irrigation systems (CPCPIG2021A)
Set out, install and commission irrigation systems (CPCPIG3021A)
Install and commission domestic irrigation pumps (CPCPIG3022A)
Install water services (CPCPWT3028A)

Sanitary stream
Core units
Cut and join sheet metal (CPCPCM2048A)
Locate and clear blockages (CPCPDR2021A)
Plan layout of a residential sanitary plumbing system (CPCPSN3011B)
Install discharge pipes (CPCPSN3022A)
Fabricate and install sanitary stacks (CPCPSN3023A)
Install and fit off sanitary fixtures (CPCPSN3024A)
Elective units
Work safely at heights (CPCCCM2010B)

Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry (CPCCOHS2001A)
Cut using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment (CPCPCM2049A)
Install sewerage pumpsets (CPCPSN3026A)

Drainage stream
Core units
Locate and clear blockages (CPCPDR2021A)
Install domestic treatment plants (CPCPDR2022A)
Install stormwater and sub-soil drainage systems (CPCPDR2024A)
Drain work site (CPCPDR2025A)
Install prefabricated inspection openings and enclosures (CPCPDR2026A)
Plan layout of a residential sanitary drainage system (CPCPDR3021A)
Install below ground sanitary drainage systems (CPCPDR3022A)
Install on-site disposal systems (CPCPDR3023A)
Install trench support (RIICCM210A)
Elective units

Maintain effluent disinfection systems (CPCPDR2023A)
Install pre-treatment facilities (CPCPSN3025A)
Install water pipe systems (CPCPWT3029A)

Roofing stream
Core units
Cut and join sheet metal (CPCPCM2048A)
Select and install roof sheeting and wall cladding (CPCPRF2022A)
Collect and store roof water (CPCPRF2023A)
Receive roofing materials (CPCPRF3021A)
Fabricate and install roof drainage components (CPCPRF3022A)
Fabricate and install external flashings (CPCPRF3023A)
Install roof components (CPCPRF3024A)
Install composite roof systems (CPCPRF3026A)
Elective units
Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding (CPCCCM2008B)
Work safely at heights (CPCCCM2010B)
Operate elevated work platforms (CPCCCM3001C)
Install roof coverings to curved roof structures (CPCPRF3025A)

Gas services stream
Core units
Cut and join sheet metal (CPCPCM2048A)
Install LPG systems in caravans, mobile homes and mobile workplaces (CPCPGS3046A)
Install LPG systems in marine craft (CPCPGS3047A)
Install gas pressure control equipment (CPCPGS3048A)
Install Type A gas appliance flues (CPCPGS3049A)
Purge consumer piping (CPCPGS3051A)
Disconnect and reconnect Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3053A)
Calculate and install natural ventilation for Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3054A)
Install gas piping systems (CPCPGS3056A)
Size consumer gas piping systems (CPCPGS3057A)
Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity up to 500 litres (CPCPGS3059A)

Install and commission Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3061A)
Elective units

Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry (CPCCOHS2001A)
Cut using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment (CPCPCM2049A)
Install Type B gas appliance flues (CPCPGS3050A)
Maintain Type A gas appliances (CPCPGS3052A)
Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity exceeding 500 litres and less than 8KL (CPCPGS3060A)

Mechanical services stream
Core units

Apply Occupational Health and Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace (UEENEEE101A)

Assemble mechanical services components (CPCPMS2021A)

Fabricate and install steel pressure piping (CPCPMS3031A)

Install small bore heating systems (CPCPMS3033A)

Elective units

Select and fit insulation and sheathing (CPCPMS3032A)

Install medical gas pipeline systems (CPCPMS3034A)

Install and test ducting systems (CPCPMS3035A)

Install air handling units (CPCPMS3036A)

Install and test split system air conditioning (CPCPMS3037A)

Install air conditioning control equipment (CPCPMS3038A)
Install and maintain evaporative air cooling systems (CPCPMS3040A)
Maintain mechanical services equipment (CPCPMS3039A)

Prepare and connect refrigerant tubing and fittings (UEENEEJ102A)

Position, assemble and start up single head split air conditioning and water heating heat pump systems (UEENEEJ105A)

Recover, pressure test, evacuate, charge and leak test refrigerants - split systems (UEENEEJ172A)

How to apply

This course is closed for new enrolments.

Find out more

Submit an online enquiry
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE

Email: study@swinburne.edu.au

Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059

Duration

Study mode

Swinburne hosts WorldSkills Australia Regionals 2019

For the Certificate III in Plumbing qualification, students are required to complete the Water and Sanitary streams, and must also complete two of the following four streams: Drainage, Roofing, Gas Services, or Mechanical Services.

Students show their skills

Course information in detail

Course description

Course structure

Units of study

Careers and graduate outcomes

Career opportunities

Professional recognition

Pathways and scholarships

Scholarships

Credit

Recognition of Prior Learning

Course fees and requirements

Course fees

Entry requirements

How to apply

Find out more