RPL for Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology

Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology takes 25 units. Through Recognition of Prior Learning, each unit is assessed on evidence of work you have already done rather than on training you sit through.

What the assessment looks at

Every unit sets out what you must be able to do and what you must know. An assessor works through them one at a time, asking the same question each time: does this person's evidence show they can do this reliably, in a real workplace, recently enough to count?

You can read the full requirements for MSF30322 on the national training register. They are public, and worth a look before you spend anything — if the units describe work you have never done, RPL is not your route.

Evidence worth gathering before you start

• Photos of completed jobs, ideally showing a few stages of the same job, with their original dates intact.
• Job sheets, dockets, work orders or site diaries covering a spread of jobs.
• Supervisors, employers or clients who will confirm specifically what you did.
• Any licences or tickets you already hold.

How the guided process works

You work through the 25 units one at a time, talking about jobs you have actually done. You can speak rather than type. Add photos as you find them, and stop whenever you like — progress saves itself, and most people spread this over weeks while they dig out records. At the end you have an evidence portfolio your RTO's assessor can work through.

What this does not do

It does not assess you, and it cannot promise you MSF30322. An assessor at a registered training organisation makes that decision and may require further evidence or training. What a complete portfolio buys you is a fair assessment rather than a rejection over paperwork.

See what MSF30322 involves →

The 25 units you complete, chosen from these 66

You do not do all 66. Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology is 8 core units, which everyone does, plus 17 chosen from the 58 electives below. Read both lists before you spend anything — it is the fastest way to tell whether RPL is your route. If most of this describes work you have done, you have a case to make. If whole sections describe work you have never touched, an assessor will say so, and doing the course is the honest answer.

Worth knowing: 1 of them have a prerequisite unit, so the order you gather evidence in matters.

Core units — everyone does these

• MSFFM2013 — Use furniture making hand and power tools
• MSFFM3030 — Produce manual and computer-aided production drawings
• MSFFM3031 — Prepare cutting lists from design and production documentation
• MSFGN2001 — Make measurements and calculations
• MSFGN3005 — Read and interpret work documents
• MSMENV272 — Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
• MSMSUP102 — Communicate in the workplace
• MSMSUP106 — Work in a team

Electives — you choose from these

• BSBOPS304 — Deliver and monitor a service to customers
• CPCCJN3003 — Manufacture components for doors, windows and frames
• CPCCWHS2001 — Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry
• CPCWHS1001 — Prepare to work safely in the construction industry
• CUAACD312 — Produce computer-aided drawings
• MSFCP2005 — Use coopering sector hand and power tools
• MSFCP3001 — Produce barrels using non-fired processes
• MSFCP3002 — Produce barrels using fired processes
• MSFCP3003 — Maintain and repair barrels
• MSFFDM4002 — Collect and interpret information to support production processes
• MSFFDM4005 — Design, construct and test jigs
• MSFFDM4009 — Match furnishing style and materials to customer requirements
• MSFFDM4012 — Produce computer-aided line and component production drawings
• MSFFDM4014 — Produce manual and computer-aided drawings from design concepts
• MSFFDM4018 — Research and organise product inspection and testing
• MSFFF2009 — Use furniture finishing hand and power tools
• MSFFF2012 — Prepare surfaces for finishing
• MSFFF2013 — Maintain spray equipment and booth
• MSFFF2014 — Apply surface coatings by spray gun
• MSFFF3010 — Match and make up colours
• MSFFF3012 — Apply plural component coatings
• MSFFF3016 — Apply graining and decorative finishes
• MSFFM2014 — Select and apply hardware
• MSFFM2015 — Apply sheet laminates by hand
• MSFFM2016 — Join solid timber
• MSFFM2017 — Hand make timber joints
• MSFFM2018 — Operate basic static machines safely
• MSFFM2019 — Assemble furnishing products
• MSFFM3025 — Construct furniture using leg and rail method
• MSFFM3026 — Produce angled and curved components using manufactured board
• MSFFM3027 — Produce angled and curved components using solid timber
• MSFFM3028 — Prepare and apply decorative surfaces for furnishing products
• MSFFM3029 — Select timbers for furniture production
• MSFFM3032 — Set up, operate and maintain sawing machines
• MSFFM3033 — Set up, operate and maintain drilling machines
• MSFFM3034 — Set up, operate and maintain joining machines
• MSFFM3035 — Set up, operate and maintain planing and finishing machines
• MSFFM3036 — Set up, operate and maintain multi-head planing and moulding machines
• MSFFM3037 — Set up, operate and maintain routing and shaping machines
• MSFFM3038 — Set up, operate and maintain automated edge banding machines
• MSFFM3039 — Fabricate synthetic solid surface products
• MSFFM3040 — Produce and maintain cutting tools
• MSFFM3041 — Determine and document requirements for cabinetry installation
• MSFFM3042 — Fabricate cabinetry
• MSFFM3043 — Install cabinetry
• MSFFM3044 — Set up, operate and maintain computer numerically controlled (CNC) sizing machines
• MSFFM3045 — Set up, operate and maintain computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining and processing centres
• MSFFT4013 — Coordinate onsite installation of cabinetry
• MSFGN3006 — Estimate and cost job
• MSFKB2003 — Prepare for cabinetry installation
• MSFKB3012 — Plan kitchen and bathroom projects
• MSMOPS363 — Organise on-site work
• MSMPER200 — Work in accordance with an issued permit
• MSMSUP390 — Use structured problem-solving tools
• MSMWHS200 — Work safely
• MSS402003 — Apply competitive systems and practices
• MSS402056 — Apply and improve standardised work practices
• TLID0021 — Store and handle dangerous goods and hazardous substances

Each unit breaks down further into elements and performance criteria — the specific things you have to be able to show. The guide works through them one unit at a time and asks about jobs you have actually done, rather than making you read the register yourself.

Related qualifications

Same training package, and a common second choice for people who find this one is not quite their trade:

• Certificate III in Flooring Technology (MSF30822, 24 units)
• Certificate III in Furniture Finishing (MSF30122, 22 units)
• Certificate III in Glass and Glazing (MSF30422, 23 units)
• Certificate III in Interior Decoration Retail Services (MSF31018, 13 units)
• Certificate III in Picture Framing (MSF30518, 21 units)
• Certificate III in Upholstery (MSF30722, 25 units)

When you are ready, see what MSF30322 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.