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National code: MSF30213

Certificate III in Furniture Making

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Overview About this course

Develop the practical and intricate skills needed to work in the furniture making industries. Learn your craft from experienced furniture makers and graduate ready to prepare surfaces, use specialised power tools and build full-size pieces of furniture.

This course is superseded. You can still enrol in this course, and you will be contacted if you need to transition into the next version when it is available.

Outcomes What You'll Gain

Learning Outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Produce manual and computer-aided drawings (CAD)

  • Assemble furnishing components

  • Hand make timber joints

  • Take measurements and calculations

  • Estimate and cost jobs

Course Outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • Experience in examining drawings, work orders and sample parts to determine specifications

  • Experience in marking out, cutting and shaping timber products

  • Skills to create coffee tables and smaller side tables and use dovetailed/biscuit joinery

  • The ability to make frames for chairs and couches

  • The confidence to become a sole trader and start your own small businessMake frames for chairs and couches

  • Create coffee tables and small side tables

  • Create timber boxes, with dovetailed/biscuit joinery

  • The confidence to build your sole trader business

  • Strong pathways to continue your study and enhance your career opportunities

Suitability Is This Course Right For You?

Entry requirements

Some courses require evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • There are no entry requirements for this qualification. You can enrol today.

  • This course is offered as a traineeship. Enquire today to check the eligibility requirements.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • The ability to provide your own Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including hearing protection, steel cap safety boots, safety glasses and a dust mask

  • Completed at least year 10 of high school

  • A genuine interest in cabinet and/or furniture making

  • An aptitude for practical skills

  • Strong English, maths and communication skills

  • The ability to work as part of a team

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.

Pathways Future Career and Study Options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like:

Cabinetmaker

Cabinetmakers fabricate and repair wooden furniture, and fit and assemble prepared wooden parts to make furniture.

  • Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

    92%

  • Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.

    5,800 workers

  • Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.

    37 years

  • Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.

    $940

  • Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.

    43 hours

  • Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.

    Medium

  • Gender share

    2% female

  • Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.

    Strong Growth

Other jobs include: Cabinet maker (Furniture), Cabinet maker (Kitchens and Bathrooms) and Furniture maker

Licensing

There are no specific licences that relate to this qualification. However, depending on the jurisdiction, licensing or regulatory requirements may apply to the use of some units in this qualification. Local regulations should be checked for details.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 1 Course

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

Further study 0 Courses

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

The Certificate III in Furniture Making does not have any post-graduate courses.

Related study 1 Course

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

Your experience counts

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.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate III in Furniture Making qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 28 Units of competency, including 15 core and 13 speciality units.

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.

  • Apply manufactured board conversion techniques MSFFM2011

  • Prepare surfaces for finishing MSFFF2004

  • Handle dangerous goods/hazardous substances TLID2003

  • Use furniture making sector hand and power tools MSFFM2001

  • ... 4

TAFE NSW Services Facilities and Support

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

  • Smarthinking - online access to a tutor

  • 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

Delivery Options Find a Location to Enrol

On campus, online and blended study environments; at TAFE NSW your learning works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites, compare courses and discover what works for you.