CERTIFICATE III IN SOLID PLASTERING Melbourne CPC31020
Course CRICOS Code: 119742G Status: CurrentCourse Overview
CPC31020
CRICOS Code: 119742G | Status: Current
The Certificate III in Solid Plastering (CPC31020) at West Melbourne Institute of Technology (WMIT) is a nationally recognised trade qualification that prepares students for a professional career in solid plastering across Melbourne’s thriving residential and commercial construction sector.
This solid plastering course in Melbourne covers core construction industry skills alongside specialist plastering techniques. Students learn to apply plaster, cement, and other mixtures to walls, creating smooth or decorative finishes on both interior walls and exterior rendered surfaces — skills that are in high demand across Victoria’s booming building industry.
Occupational Titles Include:
- Solid Plasterer
- Renderer
Why Study Solid Plastering in Melbourne at WMIT?
- ✅ Nationally recognised qualification (CPC31020) on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
- ✅ CRICOS registered for international students – CRICOS Code: 119742G
- ✅ Located in the heart of Melbourne’s West – easily accessible campus
- ✅ Industry-aligned training in plastering, rendering, and surface preparation
- ✅ Suitable for the Australian apprenticeship pathway
What You Will Learn
This plastering trade course equips you with hands-on competencies covering all aspects of solid plastering work, including:
- Application of float, render, and set coat techniques on straight and curved surfaces
- Preparation of surfaces for plastering and rendering applications
- Internal and external plaster finishes for residential and commercial buildings
- Restoration and renovation of existing solid plasterwork
- Safe use of solid plastering tools, equipment, and materials
- Workplace health and safety (WHS) requirements under Australian Standards
Licensing & Regulatory Requirements
State and territory jurisdictions may have different licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements. Students are encouraged to consult the relevant Victorian regulatory authorities to confirm requirements specific to plastering work in Melbourne.
Completion of the general construction induction training program — as specified in the Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Construction Work — is required for anyone carrying out construction work. Achievement of CPCWHS1001 Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry satisfies this requirement.
National Training Register – CPC31020 Certificate III in Solid Plastering ↗
Program Overview
Entry Requirements
- WMIT has the following entry requirements:
- 18 years or older at commencement of course.
- An English Language proficiency level of one of the below:
- Satisfactorily completed ELICOS at to at least Upper Intermediate level
- Cert III in EAL / Academic IELTS band score of 6.0 or equivalent
- Completed equivalent of Australian Year 11 qualification from any of the English-speaking countries such as Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or the Republic of Ireland
- Completion of any Australian AQF Certificate III or higher qualification
- Additional Requirements:
- The applicant must have completed Australian Year 12 or equivalent
Training Pathway & Employment Pathway
- Training Pathway:
- Certificate IV in Building and Construction OR
- Any other equivalent qualification
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Employment Pathway:
This qualification provides the skills and knowledge to potentially gain employment as a: - Solid Plasterer
- Renderer
To attain the Certificate III in Solid Plastering, 20 units must be achieved, consisting of 15 core and 5 elective units listed below:
Course Credit
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WMIT can grant you credit towards your course for units of competency that you have already completed with another RTO or authorised issuing organisation.
We can also grant you Credit for subjects or units you have completed where equivalence can be established between the unit in your course and the subject or unit you have completed. - There is no charge to apply for Credit.
- To apply, fill in the Credit Application Form and submit it as part of your enrolment.
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*Please refer to your Student Handbook for more information on Course Credit.
International students should be aware that if credit is granted, the course duration will be adjusted and confirmation will be provided in writing.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where skills and knowledge that you have gained through work and life experience and other unrecognised training can be formally recognised.
- WMIT has a process that has been structured to minimise the time and cost to applicants and provides a supportive approach to students wishing to take up this option. You should ideally apply for RPL at the time of enrolment, but you may also apply up to 2 weeks into your course.
- During the entry process and interview stage, WMIT will discuss the process and options for RPL with you. Suitability is often determined by how much experience you have in a certain area, your work history and previous training. If RPL is determined as a possibility for you, you will be provided with a kit that will guide you in working through each unit to determine relevant skills and experience and identify whether you would be able to provide the required evidence.
- A trainer/assessor will be available to assist you throughout this process.
- *Please refer to your Student Handbook for more information on RPL. International students should be aware that if RPL is granted, the course duration will be adjusted and confirmation will be provided in writing.
Training & Placement Arrangements
Training Arrangements
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Class sessions are planned to ensure that student have a mixture of practical and theoretical components and those classes cater for a wide variety of learning styles. Additionally, workplace practices and environments will be regularly simulated and used to conduct skills based assessments in accordance with unit requirements.
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WMIT organises face to face training of 20 hours per week, all the international student must attend the classes to comply with student visa conditions.
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Homework tasks may include research, readings from related textbooks and continuing to work on assessment tasks.
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Students are provided with the Learner Guides for each unit to students to support their learning (these are included in the course fees).
Additional Support & Assessment Arrangements
Additional Support
All students will complete a language literacy and numeracy assessment at orientation to determine their learning support needs. All students will be provided with a range of learning support options and resources to help you achieve competency. Where additional support needs have been identified an Individual Support Plan will be developed which may include:
Provision of additional support services will be provided where necessary to enable students to participate in the same way as any other person regardless of whether support services have been required.
Assessment Arrangement
There are a variety of assessment methods used for this qualification including:
Course Details
Delivery Mode
This course will be delivered as classroom-based face-to-face training.
Delivery Location
Level 10, 474 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Course Duration
52 Weeks (including 12 weeks of holidays)
Duration - 52 Weeks
Course Fee - $20,000
Promotional Fee - $8,000
Course Fee
- Total Tuition Fees: $8,000.00
- Enrolment Fee: $250.00
- Material Fee: $1500.00
Payment Plan
- Non-refundable enrolment deposit (prior to commencement) – $250
- 4 equal instalments of tuition fee before the start of every term
Additional charges apply if students require
- Additional copies of a student’s qualification/record of results and/or statement of attainment. A cost of $50 per document applies, and $70 if express post is required.
- Printing costs may be required to complete assessments. Students may print and copy on campus for a cost of 15c per page; however, they may also use other printing facilities.
RPL Costs
- Charge per unit of competency – $400
- Nationally Recognised Training does not incur GST.
- Students will only be eligible to receive their qualification if fees have been paid in full and all course requirements have been met.
- *Please refer to your Student Handbook for our Fees and Refunds Policy.
Other costs (not included) to be aware of
- Please refer to the student handbook for guidance in relation to budgeting and planning.
- USB drives that students are required to use to submit their assessments. Students may bring their own or purchase nearby.
- Notebooks/pens/laptops* or other general stationery required for students to complete their work.
- *A note about computers: Many homework and assessment tasks require access to a computer and the internet; therefore, it is recommended that students bring or purchase a laptop if possible.
Inclusions
- Unless otherwise specified, tuition fees include all training and assessment as well as required resources and textbooks necessary for students to achieve the qualification or course in which they are enrolling.
- If students don’t have their own, they can use nearby public facilities, which are listed in the Student Handbook for their convenience. It is optional for students to bring a laptop to class; some students may choose to do so to keep their notes organised, but where a computer is required for class activities, the trainer/assessor will arrange to book the college computers for class sessions.
Enquire About This Course
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If you would like to enrol into this course, please contact our office to obtain a Student Enrolment Form or for a confidential discussion
Phone: +61 3 91318789 Email: info@wmit.edu.au - Confident to move forward? Apply now to confirm your enrolment.
Frequently Asked Questions –
Certificate III in Solid Plastering
Everything you need to know about our solid plastering course, trade career outcomes, and enrolling at WMIT Melbourne.
1What is the Certificate III in Solid Plastering (CPC31020)?
The Certificate III in Solid Plastering (CPC31020) is a nationally recognised trade qualification on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). It provides students with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to work professionally as a solid plasterer in residential and commercial construction environments across Australia.
At WMIT (West Melbourne Institute of Technology), this course is CRICOS-registered (Code: 119742G), making it available to international students studying in Australia on a student visa.
2Is this course open to international students? What is the CRICOS code?
Yes. The Certificate III in Solid Plastering at WMIT is fully registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). The CRICOS code for this course is 119742G.
International students must hold a valid Australian student visa to enrol. WMIT supports international applicants through the enrolment process — contact info@wmit.edu.au for a Student Enrolment Form or confidential discussion.
3What are the entry requirements for this plastering course?
To enrol in the Certificate III in Solid Plastering at WMIT, applicants must:
- Be 18 years or older at the time of course commencement
- Have completed Australian Year 12 or an equivalent qualification
- Meet English language proficiency requirements (one of the following):
- ELICOS completed to at least Upper Intermediate level
- IELTS band score of 6.0 or equivalent (Cert III in EAL/Academic)
- Year 11 equivalent from an English-speaking country (AU, UK, USA, Canada, NZ, South Africa, or Ireland)
- Completion of any Australian AQF Certificate III or higher
4How long is the Solid Plastering course and what does it cost?
The Certificate III in Solid Plastering (CPC31020) at WMIT runs for 52 weeks, including 12 weeks of scheduled holidays. Course fees are structured as follows:
- Total Promotional Tuition Fee: $8,000.00
- Enrolment Fee: $250.00 (non-refundable)
- Material Fee: $1500.00
Payment Plan: A non-refundable enrolment deposit of $250 is required before commencement, followed by 4 equal instalments of tuition fees paid at the start of each term.
5Where is the course delivered and what is the mode of study?
The Certificate III in Solid Plastering is delivered as classroom-based, face-to-face training at WMIT's Melbourne campus:
Level 10, 474 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
There is no online-only option for this trade course — hands-on practical training is a core component of the qualification, in line with industry standards for construction trades in Australia.
6What career outcomes can I expect after completing CPC31020?
Graduates of the Certificate III in Solid Plastering (CPC31020) are qualified to pursue roles including:
- Solid Plasterer – applying wet plaster mixes to walls and ceilings in residential and commercial projects
- Rendering Contractor – specialising in external and internal render finishes
- Construction Tradesperson (Plastering) – working across a range of plastering applications on building sites
- Plastering Subcontractor – operating independently on contracted projects
Australia's construction sector continues to experience strong demand for qualified tradespeople, making solid plastering a career with excellent long-term employment prospects across both residential and commercial projects.
7Is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) available?
Yes. WMIT offers Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for the Certificate III in Solid Plastering. If you have prior experience or existing skills in plastering or construction, you may be eligible to have those recognised toward your qualification.
RPL is charged at $400 per unit of competency. Please note that Nationally Recognised Training does not incur GST. Students will only receive their qualification once all fees have been paid in full and all course requirements have been met.
Contact our team on +61 3 91318789 or email info@wmit.edu.au to discuss your RPL eligibility.
8What is included in the course fee?
Unless otherwise specified, tuition fees include all training and assessment, as well as required resources and textbooks necessary for students to achieve the qualification.
Students should also be aware of the following additional items not included in the fee:
- USB drives for submitting assessments
- Notebooks, pens, and general stationery
- Personal laptop (optional but recommended — college computers are available when required for assessments)
- Printing costs )
Please refer to the Student Handbook for full budgeting guidance and the Fees and Refunds Policy.