Course Overview

Have you got all the skills, knowledge and experience of a Carpenter?
Are you missing out on job opportunities because you are not qualified?

There has never been a better time to consider where a career in the building industry can take you. Now is the ideal time for unqualified workers already working in building and construction to take advantage of the opportunities that a qualification provides. A trade licence can be the next step you need to improve your reputation with quality workmanship and kick-start a life-changing career pathway in building and construction.

Master Builders offers Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for those who have been working in the industry. If you have industry experience, your Certificate III trade qualification could be much quicker to achieve than you think. Our RPL program can help you on your pathway to a Carpentry licence. To find out about the trade licence process in NSW, please visit Fair Trading NSW.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you eligible for Fee-Free* training?

NSW Fee-Free* Construction training gives access to government-subsidised qualifications that support the construction industry. People who meet Smart and Skilled eligibility criteria may be eligible for a NSW Fee-Free* construction qualification place. Please check the website for course availability in your region.

*NSW Fee-Free training is fully funded by the NSW and Commonwealth governments. Limited places available. Subject to Smart and Skilled eligibility criteria. Enrolments must be within the period 1 January 2025 until 30 June 2025.

PROGRAM FEES

This course may be subsidised by the NSW Government Smart and Skilled initiative. If you are eligible for the government subsidy, your student fee will be determined by the NSW Government.

Smart and Skilled prices are subject to funding availability. A quote of applicable fees and funding will be provided prior to enrolment.

A general guide to fees for this qualification pathway is as follows:

NSW Government Smart and Skilled Subsidy Indicative Pricing
If you do not hold a previous qualification from $1,550
If you hold a previous qualification from $1,850
Indicative Pricing without NSW Government Subsidy
Master Builders Member Rate $2,200
Non-Member Rate $2,400

Note: On enrolment, you will be invoiced for $1,000.00. This consists of a non-refundable administration fee. According to the Standards for RTOs 2015, at no stage will Master Builders charge more than $1,500 in advance of services being provided.

Student fees will increase if you are assessed as ‘not yet competent’ by Recognition of Prior Learning in any unit/s of competency and are required to undertake classroom or distance-based training and assessment. 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process by which you can achieve a nationally recognised qualification, without the need to attend classes. Simply follow our RPL kit and provide video and photographic evidence of the knowledge, skills and experience you have. Plus, our industry expert assessors review your submission and provide feedback if we require more information or clarification.

The assessment practical activities are very specific and require you to have access to your workplace and a variety of job tasks. These tasks relate to the practical components of each unit of competency, and you must be able to have access to tools, equipment and materials necessary to carry out the tasks.

To participate you will need a laptop or computer with internet access to login. With our RPL program you can submit all the required assessment knowledge questions, practical activities and evidence in our online student system.

Watch our video for tips on how to gather evidence for your RPL kit.

Examples of the types of evidence that you will need to gather will depend on the qualification you are completing, however, examples could include:

  • Video footage of you performing tasks on site
  • Time-lapse photos of you performing tasks on site
  • Certificates you have already gained 
  • Project management documentation

Watch our video for tips on the types of evidence you need to gather for your RPL kit.

Expand your employment and business opportunities and be on the pathway to a carpentry licence. The CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry RPL program is designed to enable Carpenters to formally recognise their skills in Carpentry work.

Before making any training decisions we recommend you find out everything you need to know about becoming a licenced Carpenter from Fair Trading NSW.

Once the RPL program is successfully completed you will earn a nationally recognised qualification CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry.

Career benefits:

  • Advance your employment opportunities and gain more work
  • Start your own Carpentry business
  • Build your own clientele network
  • Be on the pathway to a carpentry licence
  • Pathway to become a builder

Master Builders applies the following entry requirements:

  • Minimum of 3 years of full-time experience in Carpentry, within the last 10 years
  • Valid White Card (general construction induction card)
  • Currently working on active Carpentry projects
  • Provide details of 2 qualified/licensed referees in Carpentry or building, confirm your work history/experience who have worked with you for 12 months or more 
  • Answer at least 80% of the technical industry questions correctly during your application process 

Apply for your USI prior to application.

Enrolment Conditions

Master Builders has enrolment conditions to help you progress through your training:

  • Students cannot enrol in more than one online qualification and/or program at the same time.
  • Students cannot undertake more than two programs in total at a time.
  • This does not include our online Professional Development, CPD Made Easier, or short 1 or 2 day courses.

This RPL program is designed to be completed within 6 months.

We recommend the knowledge-based assessment to be completed and submitted within 2 months and all evidence is to be submitted within 5 months.

We recommend committing 10-15 hours per week on the course to complete within the 6 months.

You will be required to complete an RPL Kit which includes sections for:

  • Knowledge questions
  • Practical projects and observations

The knowledge questions are a series of questions designed to be answered comprehensively. These questions relate to different units within the qualification and assess understanding of tasks and processes within the construction industry. 

A portfolio of evidence is to be collected for practical projects outlined in your RPL kit. This evidence includes documentary evidence, photos, and videos. Detailed instructions on the evidence required and tasks to be undertaken are included in the RPL Kit.  

You will be required to construct at least two full-size houses at a minimum of 30 metres square. Sample evidence you will be required to provide includes:

  • Planning projects and construction site safety
  • Construct wall frames and partitions
  • Erecting both timber and steel frames
  • Set out and install ceiling frames
  • Pitch a roof, including scotch valley, broken hip and valley, and a gable
  • Erect and dismantle scaffolding
  • Frame and fit wet areas
  • Install and replace windows and doors
  • Set out site, basic formwork, and concreting
  • Demonstrate the use of explosive power tools
  • Demonstrate the use of leveling devices
  • Install flooring system 
  • Install exterior fibrous cement weatherboards
  • Basic demolition and site clean up

Here is a list of the full units of competency in this course:

CODE UNITS OF COMPETENCY CORE/ELECTIVE
CPCCCA2002 Use carpentry tools and equipment Core
CPCCCA2011 Handle carpentry materials Core
CPCCCA3001 Carry out general demolition of minor building structures Core
CPCCCA3002 Carry out setting out Core
CPCCCA3003 Install flooring systems Core
CPCCCA3004 Construct and erect wall frames Core
CPCCCA3005 Construct ceiling frames Core
CPCCCA3006 Erect roof trusses Core
CPCCCA3007 Construct pitched roofs Core
CPCCCA3008 Construct eaves Core
CPCCCA3010 Install windows and doors Core
CPCCCA3016 Construct, assemble and install timber external stairs Core
CPCCCA3017 Install exterior cladding Core
CPCCCA3024 Install lining, panelling and moulding Core
CPCCCA3025 Read and interpret plans and specifications and drawings for carpentry work Core
CPCCCA3028 Erect and dismantle formwork for footings and slabs on ground Core
CPCCCM2006 Apply basic levelling procedures Core
CPCCCM2008 Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding Core
CPCCCM2012 Work safely at heights Core
CPCCCO2013 Carry out concreting to simple forms Core
CPCCOM1012 Work effectively and sustainably in the construction industry Core
CPCCOM1014 Conduct workplace communication Core
CPCCOM1015 Carry out measurements and calculations Core
CPCCOM3001 Perform construction calculations to determine carpentry material requirement Core
CPCCOM3006 Carry out levelling operations Core
CPCCWHS2001 Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry Core
CPCCWHS3001 Identify construction work hazards and select risk control strategies Core
CPCCCA3012 Frame and fit wet area fixtures Elective
CPCCCA3014 Construct and install bulkheads Elective
CPCCCA3027 Set up, operate and maintain indirect action power-actuated power tools Elective
CPCCCM2002 Carry out hand excavation Elective
CPCCSF2004 Place and fix reinforcement materials Elective
CPCCCA3026 Assemble partitions Elective
CPCCOM1013 Plan and organise work Elective
FEES*

$2,200.00 / $2,400.00

*Member/Non-member
Subsidies Available

View Course Fees


When

Available Now


Location

Recognition of Prior Learning from your workplace


Duration

6 months


Apply Now

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