Gain national recognition as a trade qualified cabinet maker. Apply practical skills to build, create and install furniture pieces for clients. Choose to work in commercial or residential spaces, or even start your own business.
Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:
Assemble furniture and make frames for chairs and couches
Install furniture and cabinetry
Use basic power tools, hand tools and spray guns
Create fittings for boats, caravans and other items where fine detail is required
Prepare and apply decorative surfaces for furniture
Use computer aided drawing (CAD) and computer aided machining (CAM)
Work with timber, veneers, particle boards and synthetic woods
Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.
Experience building coffee tables, magazine racks and smaller side tables
Working with various materials and using specialist skills such as using dovetailed/biscuit timber joinery
The ability to do custom order and restoration furniture work
Eligibility to apply for a licence as a commercial kitchen and bathroom cabinet/ furniture installer
Confidence to become a sole trader and start your own small business
A pathway to further study in furniture design and manufacturing
This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol
Be employed as an apprentice in the industry
Register with an Apprenticeship Connect Australia Provider (ACAP) who will support your application
Non-apprenticeship pathways for trade-related qualifications allow you to have your industry skills assessed through recognition of prior learning (RPL) and undertake gap training to gain a trade qualification. To take this course as a non-apprenticeship, you must:
Be at least 21 years of age, as evidenced by photo identification
Have at least 2 years of work experience in this occupation or trade, as evidenced by employee records such as your resume and/or letters from your employers
Be currently employed in the relevant industry, as evidenced by a letter from your employer
This course may be offered as a non-apprenticeship. Check your preferred campus page for more information.
During your study you’ll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
Strong spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination
Some experience handling tools and equipment
An interest in manufacturing design, principles and concepts
A creative inclination and an aptitude for craftsmanship
Good communication, computer and tech skills
The ability to work as part of a team
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 10 high school level
TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test. This helps us to understand your individual study needs, to design an individualised plan that supports your study success and ensures your LLN skills match the demands of the course.
TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.
Our graduates go onto roles like: furniture maker, furniture designer, cabinet maker, kitchen and bathroom designer, kitchen and bathroom supplier sales rep, wood machinist and business owner.
There are many career pathways and opportunities to choose from when you graduate from the Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Furniture). It’s important to check the licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements relating to your future career by visiting NSW Fair Trading or your state licensing body or your state licensing body.
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.
The Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Furniture) does not have any pre-requisite courses.
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.
At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.
Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (Furniture) qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 25 units of competency, including 8 core and 17 speciality units.
Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.
Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.
TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.
TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)
TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
TAFE NSW Libraries
Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential
Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home
LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills
Student associations – get social with our student community