CPC31020 - Certificate III in Solid Plastering

CRICOS Course Code

119747B

CRICOS Provider Code

03944E

RTO Number

41568

Study Mode

Face To Face

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About This Course

Want to become a qualified solid plasterer or renderer in Australia? The CPC31020 Certificate III in Solid Plastering at Imperial Institute of Sydney gives you hands-on training and a nationally recognised trade qualification to build a real career in construction.

This course is open to international students and is delivered at our CRICOS-registered campuses across NSW and QLD.

Solid plastering is a core trade skill in Australia’s residential and commercial construction industry. Solid plasterers apply plaster, cement, and other mixtures to walls and ceilings to create smooth, decorative, or rendered finishes, both inside and outside buildings.

The CPC31020 Certificate III in Solid Plastering covers both the general construction skills you need and the specialist plastering skills that make you job-ready on site.

After completing this course, you can work under the following occupational titles:

Solid Plasterer
Renderer

This qualification is suitable for an Australian apprenticeship pathway, making it a strong starting point for a long-term trade career.

Course Details

Detail	Information
Qualification Code	CPC31020
Course Name	Certificate III in Solid Plastering
Duration	104 weeks (80 weeks training + 24 weeks holidays)
Total Units	20 units (15 core + 5 elective)
Delivery Mode	Face to face (classroom and workshop)
Terms	8 terms of 10 weeks each
Apprenticeship Pathway	Yes
Cost	Please contact our Marketing Team (marketing@iis.edu.au) for the most updated pricelist.

Course Delivery and Schedule

How Is This Course Taught?

The CPC31320 tiling course is delivered in a blended format:

Face-to-face classroom sessions for theory and assessment
Supervised online learning each week
Workshop-based practical training at our Revesby facility

Course Schedule

The course runs over 104 weeks, structured as:

8 terms of 10 weeks each (80 weeks of training and assessment)
24 weeks of scheduled holidays spread across the course

WHS and Construction Induction

All students working in the Australian construction industry must complete the general construction induction training as required by Safe Work Australia.

Completing CPCWHS1001 Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry meets this requirement. This is covered within the course.

Entry Requirements

Who Can Apply?

This course is designed for international students who want to:

Start a career as a solid plasterer or renderer in Australia
Enter the Australian building and construction industry
Work toward higher-level qualifications in construction

Age and Academic Requirements

To apply, you must:

Be at least 18 years of age
Have completed Year 12 or the equivalent secondary education in your home country

English Language Requirements

You must show proof of English ability through one of the following:

IELTS score of 6.0 or above (test must be less than 2 years old)
PTE or TOEFL equivalent to IELTS 6.0
5 years of education in an English-speaking country
At least 6 months of a Certificate IV course completed at an Australian RTO
Successful completion of our English Placement Test

Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) Assessment

All students must complete an LLND test before starting the course. This is assessed at ACSF Level 3.

If you do not meet the required standard, you will need to complete additional LLN or ELICOS training before enrolling. Please note that IIS does not offer ELICOS directly.

Pre-Training Review (PTR)

Before enrolment, our admissions team will hold a pre-training review interview with you. This helps us understand your background, your goals, and whether you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Computer and Equipment Access

Basic computer literacy is required before starting
You will need a laptop or desktop computer with Windows 7 or later
You must have an active email address and mobile number
Access to Microsoft Word and Excel is required

Units of Competency

CODE	Title
CORE
CPCCWHS2001	Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry
CPCCOM1012	Work effectively and sustainably in the construction industry
CPCCOM1013	Plan and organise work
CPCCOM1014	Conduct workplace communication
CPCCOM1015	Carry out measurements and calculations
CPCCSP2001*	Handle solid plastering materials
CPCCOM2001*	Read and interpret plans and specifications
CPCCSP2002*	Use solid plastering tools and equipment
CPCCSP2003*	Prepare surfaces for plastering
CPCCCM2006	Apply basic levelling procedures
CPCCCM2008*	Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding
CPCCSP3003*	Apply trowelled texture coat finishes
CPCCSP3001*	Apply float and render to straight and curved surfaces
CPCCSP3002*	Apply set coats
CPCCSP3004*	Restore and renovate solid plasterwork
ELECTIVE
CPCCCM2012*	Work safely at heights
CPCCCM3001	Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres
CPCCPB3026*	Erect and maintain trestle and plank systems
CPCCCO2013*	Carry out concreting to simple forms
CPCCPB3015*	Install acoustic and thermal environmental protection systems

Assessment Overview

Assessments are designed to mirror real-world tasks and industry standards, helping students develop the skills needed for their careers. They take place in a simulated workplace environment and assess practical abilities, teamwork, and time management.

Assessment Arrangements

Assessment will occur through a variety of methods, including projects incorporating role-plays, presentations, reports, portfolios, case studies and short answer questions. Assessment conditions will ensure a simulated workplace environment.

Assessment tasks:

Reflect real-life work tasks.
Are required to be performed within industry standard timeframes as specified by assessors in relation to each task.
Are assessed using assessment criteria that relate to the quality of work expected by the industry.
Are performed to industry safety requirements as relevant.
Utilise authentic workplace documentation.
Require students to work with others as part of a team.
Require students to plan and prioritise competing work tasks.
Involve the use of standard workplace equipment such as computers and software.
Ensure that students are required to consider workplace constraints such as time and budgets.

Assessment Materials

Assessment materials comprise:

Student Assessment Tasks: There is one for each unit of competency that includes instructions to students about each of their assessments. It also includes an assessment plan where students can record the due dates of each task and an Assessment Task Cover Sheet that must be completed for each Assessment submission.

Other documents specific to the workplace simulation task requirements are also included with the assessment tasks. These include document templates and simulated workplace policies and procedures, and are described in the student and assessor instructions as relevant.

Re-assessment

Re-assessment criteria:

Each assessment task will be given an outcome of either Satisfactory (S) or Not Satisfactory (NS). Students must complete all tasks for a unit satisfactorily to achieve an overall outcome of Competent (C) for the unit. If one or more of the tasks are assessed as Not Satisfactory, they will be given an outcome for the unit of Not Yet Competent (NYC).

The student can have a total of 3 attempts to complete each task and achieve a ‘Satisfactory’ outcome (noting that the third attempt is chargeable as per the fees and refunds policy). If, after the third attempt, the student is still assessed as Not Satisfactory for a task, they will need to re-enrol in the unit.

Assessment Appeals

Students can make an appeal against any assessment decision by following the Complaints and Appeals Policy outlined in the Student Handbook.

Appeals will be dealt with following the Complaints and Appeals Procedure.

What Will You Learn?

Core Plastering Skills

This course is built around 15 core units that cover everything from basic site safety to advanced plastering techniques.

Construction Fundamentals

You will start with the skills that every construction worker needs:

- Work effectively and sustainably in the construction industry
- Plan and organise work on a construction site
- Carry out measurements and calculations
- Conduct workplace communication
- Read and interpret plans and specifications
- Apply basic levelling procedures
- Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry
- Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding

Solid Plastering Trade Skills

You will then move into specialist plastering training:

- Handle solid plastering materials correctly and safely
- Use solid plastering tools and equipment
- Prepare surfaces for plastering application
- Apply float and render to straight and curved surfaces
- Apply set coats to interior walls
- Apply trowelled texture coat finishes
- Restore and renovate existing solid plasterwork

Elective Units

You will also complete 5 elective units to round out your trade skills:

- CPCCCM2012 Work safely at heights
- CPCCCM3001 Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres
- CPCCPB3026 Erect and maintain trestle and plank systems
- CPCCCO2013 Carry out concreting to simple forms
- CPCCPB3015 Install acoustic and thermal environmental protection systems

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer

Have you already worked as a solid plasterer or renderer, or in a related construction trade? You may be eligible for:

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) based on your existing hands-on skills and experience
Credit transfer for units completed at another registered training organisation

If RPL or credit transfer is granted, your course length and fees may be reduced. Talk to our enrolment team before you apply to find out if you qualify.

Career Outcomes and Pathways

What Jobs Can You Get?

After completing the CPC31020 Certificate III in Solid Plastering, you can work as:

Solid Plasterer on residential and commercial sites
Renderer applying exterior cement and plaster finishes
Self-employed plastering contractor

Solid plastering is in steady demand across the Australian construction sector, particularly in NSW, QLD, and VIC, where residential building activity remains strong.

Further Study Pathways

Once you complete this qualification, you can continue your education with:

CPC40120 Certificate IV in Building and Construction
CPC50220 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

These higher qualifications can lead to roles such as site supervisor, construction manager, or building estimator.

Please note: Licensing requirements for solid plastering and rendering work vary by state and territory. Check with your relevant state regulatory authority before starting work.

Why Study With Us

Imperial Institute of Sydney is a CRICOS-registered RTO built around practical, industry-focused training. Here is why students choose us:

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Provider / Contact / Delivery Locations

FAQ

Do I need any plastering experience before I start?

No prior plastering experience is required. There is no formal prerequisite for this qualification. However, you must complete the LLND assessment and pre-training review before enrolling.

Is this course available as an apprenticeship?

Yes. The CPC31020 qualification is suitable for an Australian apprenticeship pathway. Contact our admissions team to discuss whether this option is available to you.

What practical skills will I learn?

You will learn to apply plaster, cement, and render to walls and ceilings for both interior and exterior finishes. You will also learn how to restore old plasterwork, create textured finishes, apply set coats, and work safely at heights using scaffolding and elevated work platforms.

Where are the classes held?

Theory classes are delivered at our campuses in Parramatta, Sydney CBD, Wollongong, and Cairns. Practical plastering training is held at our approved workshop facility. All campuses are CRICOS-registered.

Can I get credit for my existing plastering experience?

Yes. You can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if you have relevant work experience in solid plastering, rendering, or a related trade. You can also apply for a credit transfer if you have completed units at another RTO. If approved, this can reduce your course length and fees.