MEM31925 Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade

VU course code: MEM31925 | Level of study: TAFE

Duration

Up to Four Years (Standard Completion Three Years) part time

Delivery mode

Face to Face

Fees

VET

Location

Sunshine Campus

All start dates

Overview

Gain hands-on skills for a engineering trades career, specialising in designing, machining and welding metal structures, with a Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade MEM31925 at Victoria University.

This apprenticeship course is designed for people working as apprentices in the engineering fabrication trade. It ensures you gain a formal, recognised qualification needed for industry roles. Through classroom learning and work-based tasks, you will develop skills and knowledge to complement your on-the-job training.

You’ll learn to make and repair steel and other metal products and structures such as boilers and storage tanks, and gain industry-specific skills.

Topics you will learn include:

occupational health and safety
drawing Interpretation
thermal, heating and cutting
engineering computations and measurements
fabrication techniques
finishing techniques.

You will graduate with the skills, confidence and experience to work in metal engineering and manufacturing, and related industries.

: This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to work as an Engineering Tradesperson – Fabrication within metal, engineering, manufacturing, and associated industries, or other industries where fabrication trade work is undertaken. It has been specifically developed to meet the needs of apprentices in this trade. Skills are developed through a combination of on-the-job and off-the-job learning strategies, typically delivered through a formal apprenticeship. The qualification may also be achieved through formal skills recognition assessment processes.

Learners will develop competencies in a wide range of fabrication work, including metal fabrication, structural steel erection, sheetmetal work, and welding, with welding processes conforming to applicable Australian/International Standards or equivalent. Skills and knowledge span cutting, forming, shaping, assembling, and joining metal components, as well as interpreting technical drawings, applying quality and environmental standards, and safely operating fabrication machinery and equipment.
: You’ll learn from teachers who have valuable industry contacts and the latest industry-standard skills.
Once you successfully complete this apprenticeship qualification, you'll have the skills and knowledge required for employment as an Engineering Tradesperson-Fabrication within the metal, engineering, manufacturing and associated industries.
: Everything you learn at Victoria University has direct links to the real world.
You’ll learn practical skills on special purpose machinery at our engineering workshops, giving you the chance to enhance your knowledge, skills and safety. You’ll become skilled at using tools such as welding and cutting equipment in a safe environment.
: By undertaking an apprenticeship, you can earn a wage while you learn, developing skills on site under the guidance of an experienced trade professional. Throughout, you will also receive support from VU staff, and essential training in our multimillion-dollar facilities.
To get things started, you'll need to apply for an apprenticeship as a job, then have your employer nominate VU as your study provider.
Find out about apprenticeships at VU

This course is nationally recognised training.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your education, work experience, current skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a different course. We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’, which lets you finish your course more quickly when you have gained some of the skills required from past study or work experience.

Entry criteria

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To be awarded the MEM31925 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade, units of competency to the value of 96 points must be achieved, chosen as outlined below: • all core units of competency listed below (totalling 33 points) • elective units of competency to a minimum value of 40 points from Groups A, B, C, D, E, F and G as described below • elective units of competency to a maximum value of 23 points from Group H to bring the total value to 96 points.

VU offers the following specialisation:

Boilermaking/welding

To be awarded the MEM31925 Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking/welding), units of competency to the value of 96 points must be achieved, chosen as outlined below: • all core units of competency listed below (totalling 33 points); • elective units of competency to a minimum value of 40 points from Group D as described below, and; • elective units of competency to a maximum value of 23 points from Group H to bring the total value to 96 points.

Appropriate Group H elective units to the value of 8 points may be chosen from this Training Package, other endorsed Training Packages and accredited courses where those units are available for inclusion in Certificate III. Only select units that would be suitable for occupational outcomes in a fabrication trade environment.

Units

Fees & scholarships

TAFE fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer.

Fees

Fee type¹	Tuition²	Materials³	SSAF⁴
Skills First subsidised	$4,510.50	$930 (max)	$261 (max)
Concession	$902.10	$930 (max)	$112 (max)
Full fee (not subsidised)	$19,400	–	–

Scholarships

Careers

After finishing the course, you could pursue a career as one of the following:

fitter and turner (metal)
maintenance mechanic
mechanical fitter
metal fabricator
toolmaker
welder.

Start dates

Apprenticeship

On campus & workplace – Melbourne Sunshine Campus

Start at any time

Applications close 31 October 2026

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information on this page, please note that dates are subject to change. Some courses may close early due to an earlier start date or there being limited places available.