There are 17 Certificate III courses offered by 6 CRICOS-registered providers across Northern Territory. A Certificate III (AQF Level 3) is a foundational vocational qualification that prepares you for skilled work or further study. Whether you're interested in hospitality, education, community services, building, or engineering, NT offers diverse options with tuition fees ranging from A$5,900 to A$18,000 and durations from 26 weeks to 1 year. The Northern Territory is a unique study destination with a small, tight-knit student community, lower cost of living compared to Sydney or Melbourne, and access to world-class institutions like Charles Darwin University. All providers listed here are CRICOS-registered, ensuring you receive quality education under Australian law. HeadStart Academy is a free resource—no referral fees, just accurate data from the official CRICOS register (April 2026). Use this page to compare courses, understand visa requirements, and take the first step toward your Australian education.
Counted from the official register for NT: 27 non-expired CRICOS courses across 9 providers.
Most common course levels
Planning baseline from the CRICOS register [CRICOS register, Apr 2026]. Confirm fees, intakes and visa settings with the provider and government sources before applying.
Ranked by active CRICOS course coverage for Certificate III in Northern Territory on the April 2026 register snapshot. Recalculated this build (2026-10-05). Use this as a shortlist, then confirm current fees and intakes with each provider.
Commercial disclosure: Payment does not affect this ranking or inclusion. Ordering is coverage-based from the CRICOS register — not an endorsement or quality score. How we rank · Is this legit?
Charles Darwin University (CDU)
Charles Darwin University (CDU) is a government CRICOS provider with 169 active courses matched to Certificate III in Northern Territory. Indicative course totals on register from A$5,700 to A$205,910. Common levels include Bachelor Degree, Non AQF Award, Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00300K, Government, 169 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Australian City International College Pty Ltd
Australian City International College Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 28 active courses matched to Certificate III in Northern Territory. Indicative course totals on register from A$1,000 to A$32,250. Common levels include Certificate IV, Diploma, Certificate III.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 03888H, Private, 28 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
International College of Advanced Education Pty Ltd
International College of Advanced Education Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 16 active courses matched to Certificate III in Northern Territory. Indicative course totals on register from A$2,900 to A$15,750. Common levels include Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 02864B, Private, 16 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Alana Kaye Group Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 16 active courses matched to Certificate III in Northern Territory. Indicative course totals on register from A$1,050 to A$16,000. Common levels include Certificate IV, Diploma, Certificate II.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 03675K, Private, 16 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Sydney City College of Management Pty Ltd
Sydney City College of Management Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 15 active courses matched to Certificate III in Northern Territory. Indicative course totals on register from A$15,750 to A$32,250. Common levels include Advanced Diploma, Graduate Diploma, Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 03620C, Private, 15 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Alice Springs College of Australia Pty Ltd
Alice Springs College of Australia Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 13 active courses matched to Certificate III in Northern Territory. Indicative course totals on register from A$13,500 to A$27,800. Common levels include Graduate Diploma, Certificate IV, Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 04021G, Private, 13 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Australian Careers College Pty Ltd
Australian Careers College Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 12 active courses matched to Certificate III in Northern Territory. Indicative course totals on register from A$12,000 to A$24,000. Common levels include Diploma, Non AQF Award, Advanced Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 03029G, Private, 12 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY PTY. LTD.
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY PTY. LTD. is a private CRICOS provider with 7 active courses matched to Certificate III in Northern Territory. Indicative course totals on register from A$12,000 to A$25,300. Common levels include Certificate III, Diploma, Advanced Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 03714G, Private, 7 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Australian Institute of Electro Technology Pty Ltd
Australian Institute of Electro Technology Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 7 active courses matched to Certificate III in Northern Territory. Indicative course totals on register from A$10,500 to A$30,500. Common levels include Certificate III, Diploma, Certificate II.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 03775F, Private, 7 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College is a private CRICOS provider with 5 active courses matched to Certificate III in Northern Territory. Indicative course totals on register from A$31,300 to A$70,800. Common levels include Primary School Studies, Junior Secondary Studies, Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 02598D, Private, 5 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Similar to a register-first directory: every claim you can act on should be checkable against an official source. Full ranking rules: methodology.
Maintained by HeadStart Academy editorial · Snapshot recalculated this build (2026-10-05).
| Field of Education | Approx Tuition Range | Approx Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Food, Hospitality and Personal Services | A$5,900 – A$18,000 | 26 weeks – 1 year |
| Education | A$5,900 – A$18,000 | 26 weeks – 1 year |
| Society and Culture | A$5,900 – A$18,000 | 26 weeks – 1 year |
| Architecture and Building | A$5,900 – A$18,000 | 26 weeks – 1 year |
| Engineering and Related Technologies | A$5,900 – A$18,000 | 26 weeks – 1 year |
A Certificate III is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 3 qualification. It is designed to provide you with a broad range of skilled vocational knowledge and skills, including the ability to perform tasks in a variety of contexts with some complexity. Typical entry requirements include a Certificate II or equivalent, or relevant work experience. Certificate III can lead directly to employment in trades, hospitality, or community services, or serve as a pathway to a Certificate IV or diploma. In NT, these courses are offered across fields like food and hospitality, education support, community services, building and construction, and engineering. Many providers offer flexible delivery modes including face-to-face, online, and workplace-based training. Completing a Certificate III also satisfies the education requirement for certain skilled migration visas, making it a strategic choice for international students.
Tuition fees for Certificate III courses in Northern Territory range from A$5,900 to A$18,000 per year, depending on the provider and field of study. Duration typically spans 26 weeks (approximately 6 months) to 1 year of full-time study. Note that these figures are indicative—always confirm with the institution. Additional costs include non-tuition fees such as application fees, materials, and textbooks. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for international students and costs around A$500–A$700 per year for single cover. Living expenses in NT are moderate: weekly rent for a share house in Darwin is about A$200–A$300, groceries around A$80–A$120, and public transport A$30–A$50. The table below breaks down indicative tuition and duration by field of education at the Certificate III level in NT.
Six CRICOS-registered providers deliver Certificate III courses in Northern Territory. The top providers by course count are:
Certificate III courses in NT span five broad fields of education:
Each field has specific entry requirements and licensing pathways. For example, building courses may require a White Card (construction safety), while hospitality courses often include practical placements. International students should check CRICOS registration and visa conditions for each course.
For international students, the standard English language requirement for Certificate III courses in NT is IELTS 5.0 to 5.5 overall (or equivalent). Some providers may accept alternative tests like TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English. If your English score is below this range, you may be able to enrol in a packaged ELICOS (English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students) program offered by the same institution. Always verify the exact requirement with your chosen provider, as it may vary by field (e.g., education courses may require higher scores). Meeting the English requirement is also essential for the student visa application—you must provide evidence of English proficiency to the Department of Home Affairs.
To study a Certificate III in NT, you will need a Student visa (Subclass 500). This visa requires you to:
You can apply for the visa after receiving your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). For detailed guidance, visit our Student Visa Subclass 500 page. Remember, HeadStart Academy is not a registered migration agent—consult a MARA agent or the Department of Home Affairs for personalised advice.
The Northern Territory offers a unique study experience: a warm tropical climate, a multicultural community, and a lifestyle focused on nature and outdoors. Darwin, the capital, has a population of about 150,000, with a small but growing international student presence. Alice Springs offers a remote centre experience with a strong indigenous culture. Living costs are lower than in major cities: average rent for a studio in Darwin is around A$250–A$350 per week, and groceries are comparable to other Australian cities. Public transport in Darwin includes buses, and many campuses are accessible by bike or on foot. However, NT has fewer providers and courses than larger states, so you may have limited choices in some fields. Also, consider that some courses involve placements or industry experience, which may be available in local businesses. If you value a tight-knit community and want to explore Australia's outback, NT could be a great fit.
Ready to start? Explore CRICOS-registered Certificate III providers in Northern Territory and take the first step toward your Australian study journey.
Showing 27 certificate iii courses from 9 CRICOS providers in Northern Territory.