CPC32420 - Certificate III in Plumbing
Qualification Description
This is a trade qualification for plumbers in residential, industrial and commercial workplaces who are responsible for assembling, installing and maintaining water services, sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage, gas, roofing and mechanical services in both existing and new constructions.
Occupational titles could include:
- Plumber
- Plumber and drainer
- Plumber and gasfitter
- Gasfitter
- Roof plumber
- Mechanical services plumber.
The plumbing industry strongly affirms that training and assessment leading to recognition of skills must be undertaken in a real or closely simulated workplace environment and this qualification requires all units of competency to be delivered and assessed in this context.
Completion of the general construction induction training program specified by the model Code of Practice for Construction Work is required before entering a construction work site. Achievement of CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry meets this requirement.
This is a licenced occupation. State and territory jurisdictions may have different licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements. Relevant state and territory regulatory authorities should be consulted to confirm those requirements.
This qualification is suitable for an Australian Apprenticeship pathway.
Delivery Details
- Mode of delivery: Face-to-face
- Course duration: 104 weeks
Entry Requirements
- Students must have completed Australian Year 12 or equivalent and must be 18 years of age and above.
Student cohort – Domestic students:
• A student who is an Australian citizen
• An Australian permanent resident
• A New Zealand citizen
• A temporary resident (visa status) of Australia, excluding a student visa holder
• A partner visa status
• A permanent resident (visa status) of New ZealandStudents seeking to enrol in this course are not required to possess prior skills or employment experience in the industry.
- A student must successfully pass Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy (LLND) Skills Test level 3.
- Students must be competent in CPCCWHS1001 – Prepare work safely in the construction industry.
- A student is required to have their own laptop prior to the commencement of the course. The minimum requirements for the specification of laptops are as follows:
a) Desktop or laptop with the following recommended System Requirements:
i. Specification of desktop or laptop is as below:
- Processor: 2.5–2.9 GHz
- Memory: 8 GB
- Disk Space: 100 GB
ii. Microsoft® Windows® 11 and Windows 10 version 1809 or above.
- Apple® macOS® Sonoma v14, or
- Apple® macOS® Ventura v13, or
- Apple® macOS® Monterey v12
b) A webcam, e.g. built-in to a laptop or a USB webcam.
c) Audio input and output suitable for video conferencing.
d) A headset or earbuds with a microphone is recommended.
e) Photo/scan – a camera, e.g. on a mobile phone, can be required to scan and submit handwritten materials.
f) A web browser such as Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, or Safari.
g) Student is expected to access the web version of Microsoft Office 365 (i.e., Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Planner, To Do, and Project).
Packaging Rules
To be awarded this qualification, competency in one of the four occupational options must be achieved.
OPTION 1: General Plumbing
For the award of the CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber) a minimum of 58 units are to be completed as follows:
- 43 core units
- 15 elective units
Electives are to be selected as followed:
- 8 units from Group A and
- 4 units from Group B and
- 3 units from Group C
Up to 4 elective units may be replaced by units from any other group or from any relevant nationally endorsed Training Package or accredited course. The units must contribute to the vocational outcomes of the qualification.
OPTION 2: General Plumbing – Roofing
For the award of the CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber and Roofing) a minimum of 62 units are to be completed as follows:
- 43 core units
- 19 elective units.
Electives are to be selected as followed:
- 8 units from Group A and
- 4 units from Group B and
- 3 units from Group C and
- 4 units from Group D
Up to 4 elective units may be replaced by units from any other group or from any relevant nationally endorsed Training Package or accredited course. The units must contribute to the vocational outcomes of the qualification.
OPTION 3: General Plumbing – Mechanical
For the award of the CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumbing and Mechanical) a minimum of 73 units are to be completed as follows:
- 43 core units
- 30 electives
Electives are to be selected as followed:
- 8 units from Group A and
- 4 units from Group B and
- 3 units from Group C and
- 7 units from Group E and
- 8 units from Group F
Up to 4 elective units may be replaced by units from any other group or from any relevant nationally endorsed Training Package or accredited course. The units must contribute to the vocational outcomes of the qualification.
OPTION 4: General Plumbing – Roofing and Mechanical
For the award of the CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber Roofing and Mechanical) a minimum of 77 units are to be completed as follows:
- 43 core units
- 34 electives
Electives are to be selected as followed:
- 8 units from Group A and
- 4 units from Group B and
- 3 units from Group C and
- 4 units from Group D and
- 7 units from Group E and
- 8 units from Group F
Up to 4 elective units may be replaced by units from any other group or from any relevant nationally endorsed Training Package or accredited course. The units must contribute to the vocational outcomes of the qualification.
An asterisk (*) against a unit code below indicates that the unit has a prerequisite. Please check the unit for information on this. All prerequisites are packaged in the qualification.
Units:
| Core | Electives |
|---|---|
| CPCCCM2012 – Work safely at heights | CPCCCM3001 – Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres |
| CPCPCM2039 – Carry out interactive workplace communication | CPCPCM2049 – Cut using oxy-acetylene equipment |
| CPCPCM2040 – Read plans, calculate quantities and mark out materials | CPCPIG2021 – Design domestic urban irrigation systems |
| CPCPCM2041 – Work effectively in the plumbing services sector | CPCPIG3021 – Set out, install and commission irrigation systems |
| CPCPCM2043 – Carry out WHS requirements | CPCPIG3022 – Install and commission domestic irrigation pumps |
| CPCPCM2045 – Handle and store plumbing materials | CPCPWT3024 – Install and maintain domestic water treatment equipment |
| CPCPCM2046 – Use plumbing hand and power tools | CPCPFS3038 – Test and maintain fire hydrant and hose reel installations |
| CPCPCM2047 – Carry out levelling | CPCPGS3046 – Install LPG systems in caravans, mobile homes and mobile workplaces |
| CPCPCM2048 – Cut and join sheet metal | CPCPCM2053 – Weld using metal arc welding equipment |
| CPCPCM2054 – Carry out simple concreting and rendering | CPCPDR3025 – Plan layout and install vacuum drainage systems |
| CPCPCM2055 – Work safely on roofs | RIIWHS202E – Enter and work in confined spaces |
| CPCPCM3021 – Flash penetrations through roofs and walls | CPCPGS3052 – Maintain Type A gas appliances |
| CPCPCM3022 – Weld polymer pipes using fusion method | CPCPGS3055 – Install gas sub-meters |
| CPCPCM3023 – Fabricate and install non-ferrous pressure piping | CPCPSN3025 – Install pre-treatment facilities |
| CPCPCM3024 – Prepare simple drawings | CPCCWHS2001 – Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry |
| CPCPCM3025 – Install trench support | |
| CPCPDR2021 – Locate and clear blockages | |
| CPCPDR2025 – Install stormwater and sub-soil drainage systems and drain work site | |
| CPCPDR2026 – Install prefabricated inspection openings and inspection chambers | |
| CPCPDR3021 – Plan layout and install below ground sanitary drainage systems | |
| CPCPDR3023 – Install on-site domestic wastewater treatment plants and disposal systems | |
| CPCPFS3031 – Fabricate and install fire hydrant and hose reel systems | |
| CPCPGS3048 – Install gas pressure control equipment | |
| CPCPGS3049 – Install gas appliance flues | |
| CPCPGS3051 – Purge consumer piping | |
| CPCPGS3053 – Disconnect and reconnect Type A gas appliances | |
| CPCPGS3054 – Calculate and install natural ventilation for Type A gas appliances | |
| CPCPGS3056 – Size and install consumer gas piping systems | |
| CPCPGS3059 – Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity up to 500 litres | |
| CPCPGS3061 – Install and commission Type A gas appliances | |
| CPCPSN3011 – Plan the layout of a residential sanitary plumbing system and fabricate and install sanitary stacks | |
| CPCPSN3022 – Install discharge pipes | |
| CPCPWT3020 – Connect and install storage tanks to a domestic water supply | |
| CPCPWT3021 – Set out and install water services | |
| CPCPWT3022 – Install and commission water heating systems and adjust controls and devices | |
| CPCPWT3025 – Install water pumpsets | |
| CPCPWT3026 – Install and fit off sanitary fixtures, water services and adjust water service controls | |
| CPCPWT3027 – Install backflow prevention devices | |
| CPCPRF2023 – Collect and store roof water | |
| CPCPRF302 – Fabricate and install roof drainage systems | |
| CPCPRF3023 – Fabricate and install external flashings | |
| CPCPRF3024 – Install roof components | |
| HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid |
This nationally recognised qualification is delivered by Alpha Training & Recognition.