Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (Apprenticeship)
| Intake Date | Campus | Attendance Days |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Port of Sale | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8:00am-4:00pm |
| Ongoing | Yallourn | Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm |
| Ongoing | Yallourn | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm |
| Intake Date | Campus | Attendance Days |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Port of Sale | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8:00am-4:00pm |
| Ongoing | Yallourn | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm |
About this course
If you’re mechanically minded and enjoy solving practical problems, the Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade is the perfect foundation for your career in the engineering industry.
This apprenticeship develops the essential skills needed to work as a mechanical tradesperson, with a focus on fitting, machining, maintenance, and precision assembly. You’ll gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and equipment, preparing you to install, maintain, and repair machinery and components across a range of sectors.
For learners employed in the dairy industry, the course includes a tailored stream designed to meet the unique requirements of dairy processing equipment. This stream integrates electrical units, programming skills, and specialised knowledge to support the operation and maintenance of complex dairy production systems.
Training combines on-the-job learning with structured sessions at TAFE Gippsland, ensuring you build both practical capability and strong theoretical knowledge. This approach ensures you graduate job-ready, confident, and able to meet modern industry demands.
Upon completion, you will be prepared to work as a qualified mechanical tradesperson, with opportunities to specialise in areas such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and heavy industry.
For those wishing to progress further, you can continue into the Certificate IV in Engineering, where you’ll gain advanced technical skills in:
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and CNC programming
• Metallurgy and material science
• Specialist welding skills, including Welding Supervisor and Welding Inspector streams
• Expanded capabilities for cross-skilling between mechanical and fabrication disciplines
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this course will be equipped for a wide range of mechanical trade roles, including:
• Mechanical Fitter – maintaining and repairing industrial machinery and production equipment.
• Machinist – manufacturing precision components using manual and CNC equipment.
• Maintenance Technician – diagnosing and repairing breakdowns in production environments.
• Plant Technician (Dairy industry stream) – specialising in the operation and upkeep of dairy processing machinery.
• Hydraulic/Pneumatic Systems Technician – working with fluid power systems in heavy industry.
Industries where you may work include:
• Dairy processing and food manufacturing
• Mining and resources
• Heavy industrial manufacturing
• Clean energy and renewable technology sectors
• Engineering workshops and maintenance service providers
Opportunities for Further Study
Graduates can continue into the Certificate IV in Engineering (MEM40119) to further develop their skills and progress their careers.
This qualification offers advanced training in areas such as:
• CNC programming and CAD design
• Metallurgy and material science
• Specialist welding skills, including Welding Supervisor and Welding Inspector streams
• Preparation for Weld Australia certification and registration
• Weld tickets and compliance training
By completing the Certificate IV, graduates can pursue higher-level technical positions or move into supervisory and compliance-focused roles, such as:
• Welding Supervisor – managing and overseeing welding operations to ensure compliance with Australian Standards.
• Welding Inspector – inspecting and verifying weld quality, materials, and processes for regulatory and quality assurance purposes.
This pathway ensures learners remain competitive, with recognised qualifications that align with Weld Australia and industry requirements.
Skills or Knowledge gained
By completing this course, you will gain a comprehensive foundation of technical knowledge and practical skills required to work confidently in mechanical engineering environments.
You will develop skills in:
• Fitting and assembly – dismantling, repairing, and assembling complex machinery and systems.
• Precision machining – operating and programming manual and CNC machines for high-accuracy production.
• Hydraulic and pneumatic systems – installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting fluid power systems.
• Diagnostics and problem solving – identifying faults and applying effective repair strategies.
• Safe work practices – applying workplace health and safety standards to all tasks.
• Technical communication – interpreting technical drawings, schematics, and documentation.
• Programming and automation (Dairy stream) – integrating mechanical skills with electrical and control systems used in dairy processing.
You will also gain knowledge in:
• Industry compliance, quality systems, and reporting standards.
• Planning, teamwork, and communication to manage tasks effectively in diverse work environments.
• Emerging technologies such as advanced manufacturing processes and clean energy applications.
These skills are relevant to a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, mining, dairy processing, renewable energy, and heavy engineering, while providing a strong foundation for future study pathways.
Entry Requirements
Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: No
Mandatory entry requirements:
Must be an Australian apprentice registered with the Australian Apprenticeship Commission.
Recommended entry Requirements:
While there are no formal prerequisites, learners who have completed VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VDSS) programs, such as the Certificate II in Engineering Studies, or have prior exposure to engineering workplaces, will have a strong foundation of skills and knowledge that supports success in this apprenticeship.
Basic competency in mathematics, literacy, and mechanical concepts is helpful, but not essential.
Support services are available to assist learners in developing these skills as they progress through the course.
Limitations to course Entry:
If aged between 15 and 17 years of age will require a school release form from there school.
Minimum Industry Requirement
Not applicable.
Licensing/Regulatory Requirements
Will this course/qualification or a constituent unit provide a pathway to an industry licence or regulated outcome: No
There is no qualification entry requirement. It is assumed that the learner is engaged as an apprentice under a Training Contract and that the learner is receiving appropriate structured on the job training while undertaking this qualification.
Qualifications and Recognition - 2025
Upon successful completion of this course students will be eligible to receive the Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade.
Work Placement - 2025
Does this course require placement?: No
Placement to be arranged by: Student
Qualifications and Recognition - 2026
Upon successful completion of this course students will be eligible to receive the Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade.
Work Placement - 2026
Does this course require placement?: No
Placement to be arranged by: Student
Fees
| Fees and charges | Government subsidised concession | Government subsidised | Full-fee paying student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum full course tuition fee* (GST exempt) | $980.00 | $4,900.00 | $20,400.00 |
| Materials fee* (GST exempt) | $2,699.00 | $2,699.00 | $2,699.00 |
| Total | $3,679.00 | $7,599.00 | $23,099.00 |
VET Student Loans
Not Applicable for this course
Sample course units
Assessment
The assessment for each course varies. It may include knowledge questions, practical skills tasks, projects, research work, on the job assessment, etc. Your assessor or educator will provide specific information on the requirements for your course.
You can expect that:
- assessment methods are clear
- assessment tasks are relevant and meet the requirements of your course
- assessor or educator demonstrate fairness and lack of bias when assessing your work
- educators will provide open and honest feedback about assessment tasks.
Fees
| Fees and charges | Government subsidised concession | Government subsidised | Full-fee paying student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum full course tuition fee* (GST exempt) | $1,020.00 | $5,100.00 | $20,600.00 |
| Materials fee* (GST exempt) | $2,970.00 | $2,970.00 | $2,970.00 |
| Total | $3,990.00 | $8,070.00 | $23,570.00 |
VET Student Loans
Not Applicable for this course
Sample course units
Assessment
The assessment for each course varies. It may include knowledge questions, practical skills tasks, projects, research work, on the job assessment, etc. Your assessor or educator will provide specific information on the requirements for your course.
You can expect that:
- assessment methods are clear
- assessment tasks are relevant and meet the requirements of your course
- assessor or educator demonstrate fairness and lack of bias when assessing your work
- educators will provide open and honest feedback about assessment tasks.
