There are 154 Certificate III courses offered by 50 CRICOS-registered providers across South Australia. Whether you're looking to enter the workforce, upgrade your skills, or change careers, a Certificate III (AQF Level 3) can open doors to a wide range of industries. South Australia's capital, Adelaide, is home to many of these providers, offering a vibrant student community and a lower cost of living compared to Sydney or Melbourne. This page covers everything you need to know: course fees and durations, top providers, fields of study, English language requirements, and student visa steps. All data comes directly from the official CRICOS register (April 2026).
Counted from the official register for SA: 269 non-expired CRICOS courses across 83 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 South Australia on the April 2026 register snapshot. Recalculated this build (2026-10-06). 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?
Adelaide University is a government CRICOS provider with 497 active courses matched to Certificate III in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$12,110 to A$592,590. Common levels include Non AQF Award, Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 04249J, Government, 497 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Flinders University is a government CRICOS provider with 448 active courses matched to Certificate III in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$459 to A$415,381. Common levels include Non AQF Award, Bachelor Degree, Masters Degree (Research).
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00114A, Government, 448 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
University of South Australia (UniSA)
University of South Australia (UniSA) is a government CRICOS provider with 344 active courses matched to Certificate III in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$1 to A$231,000. Common levels include Bachelor Degree, Graduate Diploma, Masters Degree (Coursework).
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00121B, Government, 344 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
The University of Adelaide (Adelaide)
The University of Adelaide (Adelaide) is a government CRICOS provider with 341 active courses matched to Certificate III in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$2,000 to A$567,990. Common levels include Doctoral Degree, Masters Degree (Research), Masters Degree (Coursework).
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00123M, Government, 341 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Torrens University Australia Limited
Torrens University Australia Limited is a private CRICOS provider with 108 active courses matched to Certificate III in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$500 to A$129,000. Common levels include Bachelor Degree, Diploma, Masters Degree (Coursework).
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 03389E, Private, 108 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
TAFE SA is a government CRICOS provider with 80 active courses matched to Certificate III in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$5,875 to A$80,260. Common levels include Diploma, Non AQF Award, Associate Degree.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00092B, Government, 80 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Le Cordon Bleu Australia Pty Limited
Le Cordon Bleu Australia Pty Limited is a private CRICOS provider with 69 active courses matched to Certificate III in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$9,980 to A$82,551. Common levels include Advanced Diploma, Bachelor Degree, Graduate Certificate.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 02380M, Private, 69 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
SAE Institute Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 54 active courses matched to Certificate III in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$12,498 to A$85,249. Common levels include Bachelor Degree, Associate Degree, Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 00312F, Private, 54 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Young Rabbit Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 47 active courses matched to Certificate III in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$4,100 to A$23,130. Common levels include Non AQF Award, Diploma, Advanced Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 01331F, Private, 47 non-expired course listings for this page filter.
Greenwich College Pty Ltd is a private CRICOS provider with 44 active courses matched to Certificate III in South Australia. Indicative course totals on register from A$1,660 to A$28,000. Common levels include Non AQF Award, Certificate IV, Diploma.
How this listing is sourced: Official CRICOS register (Apr 2026) — provider code 02672K, Private, 44 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 (2026-10-06).
A Certificate III is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 3 qualification. It is designed to provide individuals with a range of well-developed technical and practical skills to perform skilled work in a specific occupation or field. Typical entry requirements include completion of Year 10 or equivalent, or a Certificate II in a related field. Certificate III can serve as a pathway to Certificate IV, Diploma, or direct employment. It is a popular level for international students due to its balance of practical training and manageable duration. In South Australia, Certificate III courses cover diverse sectors such as hospitality, engineering, IT, and health.
Tuition fees for Certificate III courses in South Australia range from A$4,800 to A$40,000, depending on the provider and field of study. Course durations vary from 19 weeks to 2 years 2 months (approximately 112 weeks). These indicative fees are sourced from the CRICOS register and are set by individual institutions. Note that non-tuition costs such as Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), living expenses, and materials fees are additional. Below is a breakdown by field of education:
South Australia has 50 CRICOS-registered providers delivering Certificate III courses. The top providers by course count include:
Certificate III courses in South Australia span ten broad fields of education. The most popular include Food, Hospitality and Personal Services (e.g., cookery, patisserie), Management and Commerce (e.g., business administration), and Engineering and Related Technologies (e.g., electrical, fabrication). Other fields include Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies (e.g., conservation), Information Technology (e.g., cybersecurity), Education (e.g., early childhood), Society and Culture (e.g., community services), Architecture and Building (e.g., carpentry), Health (e.g., aged care), and Natural and Physical Sciences (e.g., laboratory techniques). This variety means students can find programs aligned with their career goals in one of Australia's most affordable study destinations.
International students applying for a Certificate III in South Australia typically need an IELTS score of 5.0 to 5.5 overall (or equivalent). Some providers may require a higher score for specific courses, especially those involving client interaction or safety. Check the entry requirements on the provider's CRICOS-listed course page. If your English level is below this, many providers offer pathway programs or English language courses to help you meet the requirement.
To study a Certificate III in South Australia as an international student, you will need a Student Visa (Subclass 500). This visa requires you to:
HeadStart Academy provides a comprehensive guide on the student visa process. Note that we are not registered migration agents; consult a MARA agent or the Department of Home Affairs for visa advice.
Follow these three steps to start your study journey:
South Australia offers a blend of quality education, affordable living, and a relaxed lifestyle. Adelaide, the capital, has a population of around 1.3 million and a thriving international student community. The cost of living is lower than in Sydney or Melbourne: indicative weekly rent for a shared apartment is A$150–A$250, groceries A$60–A$100, and public transport (with student concession) around A$30. Many campuses are accessible by bus, tram, or train. If you prefer a quieter, more affordable study environment with access to world-class wine regions and national parks, South Australia is an excellent choice. Remember, every provider on our list is CRICOS-registered, ensuring you receive the ESOS Act protections that guarantee quality education and student rights.
Ready to start your Certificate III journey in South Australia? Explore our list of CRICOS-registered providers and courses to find the perfect fit.
Showing 80 certificate iii courses from 18 CRICOS providers in South Australia.