There are 802 Certificate III courses offered by 266 CRICOS-registered providers across Victoria. This AQF Level 3 qualification opens doors to skilled employment and further study pathways. Whether you're looking to start a trade, enter the hospitality industry, or build a career in information technology, Victoria offers diverse options with tuition fees ranging from A$1,500 to A$80,000 and durations from 4 weeks to 2 years. All listed providers are registered with the Australian Government, ensuring quality education and ESOS Act protections for international students. HeadStart Academy provides this data directly from the official CRICOS register (April 2026) to help you make informed decisions about your study journey in Victoria.
A Certificate III is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 3 qualification. It typically requires completion of Year 10 or equivalent, and sometimes a Certificate II. Certificate III qualifies you for skilled work in your chosen field, such as a trade assistant, early childhood educator, or IT support technician. It also provides a pathway to Certificate IV or diploma-level studies. Certificate III programs in Victoria are designed for international students seeking practical skills and hands-on training, often including work placements. Entry requirements vary by provider but generally include a minimum English proficiency and age requirements.
Tuition fees for Certificate III in Victoria range from A$1,500 to A$80,000, depending on the field, provider, and course structure. Durations range from 4 weeks to 2 years. Below is an indicative breakdown by field of education. Note that fees are set by institutions and subject to change. Additional costs include Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), living expenses (approximately AUD 20,000–30,000 per year for rent, food, and transport in Melbourne), and materials fees. Always confirm with the provider.
Victoria has several leading providers of Certificate III courses for international students. **Mechanical Institute of Training and Technology Pty Ltd (03529J)** offers 12 Certificate III courses, primarily in engineering and trades, with campuses in Melbourne. **Melbourne Polytechnic (00724G)** is a government provider with 11 Certificate III courses across fields like hospitality and building, located in Preston and other suburbs. **Bentley College Pty Ltd (03914M)** is a private college offering 11 Certificate III courses, focused on business and community services. **Holmesglen Institute (00012G)** is a government TAFE with 9 Certificate III courses in areas such as education and health, based in Chadstone and Moorabbin. **Sunraysia Institute of TAFE (01985A)** provides 9 courses in agriculture and trades in Mildura. **Melbourne College of Hairdressing Beauty Therapy & Natural Medicine Pty Ltd (02886G)** offers 9 courses in personal services. **BFJ International Studies Pty Ltd (03921A)** and **Sheila Baxter Training Centre Pty Ltd (02233M)** also feature prominently, the latter with 7 courses in community services. These CRICOS-registered institutions ensure quality and compliance with Australian education standards.
Certificate III courses in Victoria span 12 major fields of education: Education, Food/Hospitality/Personal Services, Society/Culture, Creative Arts, Natural/Physical Sciences, Architecture/Building, Engineering/Technologies, Management/Commerce, Agriculture/Environmental, Health, Information Technology, and Mixed Field Programmes. This wide range means you can pursue a Certificate III in early childhood education, commercial cookery, visual arts, construction, IT support, or aged care, among others. Each field has multiple course options tailored to different career paths. For example, Certificate III in Individual Support (Health) prepares you for aged care or disability support roles, while Certificate III in Information Technology focuses on foundational IT skills. Use the CRICOS register to explore specific courses and find the right fit for your goals.
For international students, most Certificate III courses in Victoria require an IELTS overall score of 5.0 to 5.5 (or equivalent). Some providers may accept alternative tests like TOEFL or PTE Academic. English language proficiency is a key entry requirement for student visa applications. If your English level is below this, you may consider enrolling in an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) before starting your Certificate III. Always check the specific entry requirements with your chosen institution, as they may vary by provider and course.
To study a Certificate III in Victoria on a student visa, you need a Student visa (Subclass 500). This requires a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered provider, evidence of financial capacity (tuition + living costs + travel), English language proficiency, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criterion assesses your intention to stay temporarily in Australia. All CRICOS-registered courses for international students are protected under the ESOS Act, guaranteeing tuition assurance and student rights. For detailed visa guidance, refer to the [Student Visa Subclass 500 guide](/visa/student-visa-subclass-500).
Explore Certificate III courses in Victoria on HeadStart Academy – your trusted guide to Australian education.
Showing 80 certificate iii courses from 19 CRICOS providers in Victoria.
Counted from the official register for VIC: 964 non-expired CRICOS courses across 315 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.