Overview
Develop valuable cabinet-making skills for residential and commercial buildings with the Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology MSF30322 at Victoria University.
This furniture-making apprenticeship course leads to a formal trade qualification, and is designed for those currently employed in cabinet making and timber technology. Through classroom learning and work-based tasks, you will gain skills and knowledge to complement your on-the-job training.
Along with general work skills such as communication, teamwork, and safe work practices, you will learn practical techniques for:
- measuring and drawing (including computer-aided design, CAD)
- interpreting work documentation
- preparing cutting lists
- wood machining for cabinet and furniture making
- manufacturing and/or installing products (furniture and cabinetry)
- constructing and installing kitchens and bathrooms
- drafting plans for cabinetry.
Once you complete your cabinet-making apprenticeship, your trade certificate will let you apply to become registered in the industry.
Get hands-on learning & connect to industry
Everything you learn at Victoria University has direct links to the real world.
You’ll be guided by teachers who have valuable workplace contacts and the latest industry-standard skills and knowledge.
Studying with us means you’ll get the hands-on experience required to be job-ready when you graduate.
Find the support you need to succeed
Victoria University has academic support programs and tailored resources designed to help you succeed in your studies.
Through workshops, mentoring, and study groups, we can help you with:
- assignments and assessment tasks
- maths skills
- writing skills
- English language
- time management
- study strategies.
We also have disability support services and counselling services available to all students.
Learn in multimillion-dollar trades facilities
You'll learn in multimillion-dollar facilities, designed to accommodate large-scale construction exercises, at our Sunshine Campus.
Our ‘Construction Futures’ hub is a sustainable trades training facility with a six-star Green rating.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
Careers in cabinet making
Following your cabinet-making apprenticeship, you will be ready to get registered for industry and pursue a career in:
- timber and composite furniture creation
- kitchen and bathroom renovation
- built-in cabinet installation
- production operations.
Job titles include:
- cabinet maker and installer
- furniture maker.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded the MSF30322 Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology, 25 units must be completed comprising:
-
8 core units
-
17 elective units, of which:
- 8 to 13 units from Group A to F
- 3 to 8 units from Group G
- 1 to 2 units from Group H
- up to 5 units not listed below from any Training Package or accredited course. These units must be relevant to the work outcome as outlined in the qualification description above, must not duplicate the outcome of other units used to achieve this qualification, must not include any unit-coded MSFFP and must not include more than 1 unit aligned at a level lower than Australian Qualifications Framework Level 3.
Victoria University offers the following specialisation(s):
-
Furniture
-
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Specialisation - Furniture
To be awarded the MSF30322 Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Furniture), 25 units must be completed comprising:
-
8 core units
-
17 elective units, of which:
- 8 to 13 units from Group A to F and must include five (5) units from Group A
- 3 to 8 units from Group G
- 1 to 2 units from Group H
- up to 5 units not listed below from any Training Package or accredited course. These units must be relevant to the work outcome as outlined in the qualification description above, must not duplicate the outcome of other units used to achieve this qualification, must not include any unit-coded MSFFP and must not include more than 1 unit aligned at a level lower than Australian Qualifications Framework Level 3.
Specialisation - Kitchens and Bathrooms
To be awarded the MSF30322 Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Kitchens and Bathrooms), 25 units must be completed comprising:
-
8 core units
-
17 elective units, of which:
- 8 to 13 units from Group A to F and must include five (5) units from Group B
- 3 to 8 units from Group G
- 1 to 2 units from Group H
- up to 5 units not listed below from any Training Package or accredited course. These units must be relevant to the work outcome as outlined in the qualification description above, must not duplicate the outcome of other units used to achieve this qualification, must not include any unit-coded MSFFP and must not include more than 1 unit aligned at a level lower than Australian Qualifications Framework Level 3.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
CORE UNITS - all students
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM2013
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3030
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3031
-
- Unit code
- MSFGN2001
-
- Unit code
- MSFGN3005
-
- Unit code
- MSMENV272
-
- Unit code
- MSMSUP102
-
- Unit code
- MSMSUP106
Specialisation - Furniture
Elective units
Group A - Furniture
-
- Unit code
- MSFFF2012
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM2017
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM2018
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3025
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3026
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3027
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3028
Group B: Kitchens and bathrooms
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3038
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3042
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3043
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3045
Group F: Drafting
-
- Unit code
- CUAACD312
Group G: General electives
-
- Unit code
- MSFFF2013
-
- Unit code
- MSFFF2014
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM2014
-
- Unit code
- TLID0021
Group H - Safe Work (one unit from below)
-
- Unit code
- CPCWHS1001
-
- Unit code
- MSMWHS200
Specialisation - Kitchens and Bathrooms
Elective units
Group A - Furniture
-
- Unit code
- MSFFF2012
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM2017
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM2018
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3025
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3026
Group B: Kitchens and bathrooms
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3038
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3042
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3043
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3045
-
- Unit code
- MSFKB2003
-
- Unit code
- MSFKB3012
Group F: Drafting
-
- Unit code
- CUAACD312
Group G: General electives
-
- Unit code
- MSFFF2013
-
- Unit code
- MSFFF2014
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM2014
-
- Unit code
- TLID0021
Group H - Safe Work (one unit from below)
-
- Unit code
- CPCWHS1001
-
- Unit code
- MSMWHS200
Elective Units for Credit Transfer for Transitioning Students Only
Group B - Kitchens and Bathrooms
-
- Unit code
- MSFFM3041
Furniture Specialisation Group G - General electives
-
- Unit code
- MSFGN3006
Learning outcomes
Workers with this qualification have tradesperson-level skills in the manufacture and/or installation of products, including furniture and cabinetry, made from timber and other materials.
They have core skills in tool use, measuring, drawing (including computer-aided design), interpreting work documentation, preparing cutting lists, communication, teamwork, and safe and environmentally sustainable work practices. They may have specialised skills in wood machining, cabinet and furniture making, kitchen and bathroom construction and installation, or drafting.Work is in a defined range of skilled operations, usually within a range of broader activities involving established routines, methods and procedures, where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment, services or contingency measures. Individuals collaborate with others to achieve quality outcomes and take responsibility for their own work. They may have some limited responsibility for the work of others.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
Apprenticeship applicants must complete to determine suitability:
-
Pre-training Review (PTR)
-
Literacy and numeracy assessment
-
must be employed as an apprentice
-
must have an active Epsilon number prior to commencing the course.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Available start dates:
- 28 January 2025
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Direct applications are due on 31 October 2025 for our next intake which starts on 28 January 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
