RPL for Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade

Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade is awarded on 96 points, not on a count of units — every unit you claim is worth a stated number of them. 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 MEM30219 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 units one at a time, talking about jobs you have actually done, until what you have claimed is worth 96 points. 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 MEM30219. 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 MEM30219 involves →

The 96 points you need, and the 86 units you can earn them from

Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade is awarded on points, not on a count of units. The 12 core units are compulsory and are worth 33 points between them; the remaining 63 come from the 74 electives below, and they are not worth the same as each other — how many units you end up doing depends entirely on which you pick. 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: 80 of them have a prerequisite unit, so the order you gather evidence in matters.

Core units — everyone does these

• MEM09002 — Interpret technical drawing
• MEM11011 — Undertake manual handling
• MEM12023 — Perform engineering measurements
• MEM12024 — Perform computations
• MEM13015 — Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering
• MEM14006 — Plan work activities
• MEM16006 — Organise and communicate information
• MEM16008 — Interact with computing technology
• MEM17003 — Assist in the provision of on-the-job training
• MEM18001 — Use hand tools
• MEM18002 — Use power tools/hand held operations
• MSMENV272 — Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices

Electives — you choose from these

• MEM05004 — Perform routine oxy fuel gas welding
• MEM05005 — Carry out mechanical cutting
• MEM05006 — Perform brazing and/or silver soldering
• MEM05007 — Perform manual heating and thermal cutting
• MEM05012 — Perform routine manual metal arc welding
• MEM05049 — Perform routine gas tungsten arc welding
• MEM05050 — Perform routine gas metal arc welding
• MEM05095 — Weld using flame powder spraying
• MEM06007 — Perform basic incidental heat/quenching, tempering and annealing
• MEM07002 — Perform precision shaping/planing/slotting operations
• MEM07005 — Perform general machining
• MEM07006 — Perform lathe operations
• MEM07007 — Perform milling operations
• MEM07008 — Perform grinding operations
• MEM07009 — Perform precision jig boring operations
• MEM07010 — Perform tool and cutter grinding operations
• MEM07011 — Perform complex milling operations
• MEM07012 — Perform complex grinding operations
• MEM07013 — Perform machining operations using horizontal and vertical boring machines
• MEM07014 — Perform electro-discharge machining (EDM) operations
• MEM07015 — Set computer controlled machines and processes
• MEM07016 — Set and edit computer controlled machines and processes
• MEM07021 — Perform complex lathe operations
• MEM07030 — Perform basic metal spinning lathe operations
• MEM07031 — Perform complex metal spinning lathe operations
• MEM07032 — Use workshop machines for basic operations
• MEM07040 — Set multistage integrated processes
• MEM08010 — Manually finish/polish materials
• MEM08011 — Prepare surfaces using solvents and/or mechanical means
• MEM08014 — Apply protective coatings (basic)
• MEM09003 — Prepare basic engineering drawing
• MEM09011 — Apply basic engineering design concepts
• MEM10002 — Terminate and connect electrical wiring
• MEM10004 — Enter and change programmable controller operational parameters
• MEM10005 — Commission programmable controller programs
• MEM10006 — Install machine/plant
• MEM10010 — Install pipework and pipework assemblies
• MEM11010 — Operate mobile load shifting equipment
• MEM11016 — Order materials
• MEM11022 — Operate fixed/moveable load shifting equipment
• MEM12002 — Perform electrical/electronic measurement
• MEM12003 — Perform precision mechanical measurement
• MEM12006 — Mark off/out (general engineering)
• MEM12019 — Measure components using coordinate measuring machines
• MEM12020 — Set and operate coordinate measuring machines
• MEM13001 — Perform emergency first aid
• MEM13003 — Work safely with industrial chemicals and materials
• MEM13019 — Undertake work health and safety activities in the workplace
• MEM15001 — Perform basic statistical quality control
• MEM15003 — Use improvement processes in team activities
• MEM15004 — Perform inspection
• MEM16005 — Operate as a team member to conduct manufacturing, engineering or related activities
• MEM18003 — Use tools for precision work
• MEM18004 — Maintain and overhaul mechanical equipment
• MEM18005 — Perform fault diagnosis, installation and removal of bearings
• MEM18006 — Perform precision fitting of engineering components
• MEM18007 — Maintain and repair mechanical drives and mechanical transmission assemblies
• MEM18008 — Balance equipment
• MEM18009 — Perform precision levelling and alignment of machines and engineering components
• MEM18010 — Perform equipment condition monitoring and recording
• MEM18011 — Shut down and isolate machines/equipment
• MEM18012 — Perform installation and removal of mechanical seals
• MEM18013 — Perform gland packing
• MEM18018 — Maintain pneumatic system components
• MEM18020 — Maintain hydraulic system components
• MEM18049 — Disconnect/reconnect fixed wired equipment up to 1000 volts a.c./1500 volts d.c.
• MEM18055 — Dismantle, replace and assemble engineering components
• MEM18110 — Perform basic penetrant testing
• MEM18111 — Perform basic magnetic particle testing
• MEM18112 — Perform basic eddy current testing
• MEM18113 — Perform ultrasonic thickness testing
• MSMENV472 — Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices
• TLILIC0003 — Licence to operate a forklift truck
• TLILIC0024 — Licence to operate a vehicle loading crane (capacity 10 metre tonnes and above)

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 Engineering - Electronic Trade (MEM30422, 96 points)
• Certificate III in Engineering - Production Systems (MEM30119, 96 points)
• Certificate III in Engineering - Technical (MEM30522, 10 units)
• Certificate IV in Advanced Jewellery Manufacture (MEM40322, 132 points)
• Diploma of Engineering - Prototyping (MEM50622, 20 units)

More RPL in engineering and manufacturing

Every qualification in this industry, which of them have a guide ready, and what assessors here accept as evidence: RPL in engineering and manufacturing.

When you are ready, see what MEM30219 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.