RPL for Certificate III in Flooring Technology

Certificate III in Flooring Technology takes 24 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 MSF30822 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 24 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 MSF30822. 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 MSF30822 involves →

The 24 units you complete, chosen from these 85

You do not do all 85. Certificate III in Flooring Technology is 12 core units, which everyone does, plus 12 chosen from the 73 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: 3 of them have a prerequisite unit, so the order you gather evidence in matters.

Core units — everyone does these

• MSFFL2032 — Select, prepare and apply moisture barriers to concrete subfloors
• MSFFL2034 — Prepare subfloors with cementitious coating applications
• MSFFL3052 — Plan and cost flooring technology work
• MSFFL3102 — Receive and prepare flooring materials
• MSFFL3106 — Establish and maintain safe flooring installation work areas
• MSFFL3107 — Assess flooring installation sites
• MSFGN2001 — Make measurements and calculations
• MSFGN3005 — Read and interpret work documents
• MSMSUP102 — Communicate in the workplace
• MSMSUP106 — Work in a team
• MSMWHS200 — Work safely
• TLID0021 — Store and handle dangerous goods and hazardous substances

Electives — you choose from these

• BSBESB401 — Research and develop business plans
• BSBESB402 — Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures
• BSBOPS304 — Deliver and monitor a service to customers
• CPCCON3046 — Repair and rectify concrete
• CPCCON3047 — Cut concrete
• CPCCWHS2001 — Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry
• CPCCWP3002 — Apply waterproofing process to internal wet areas
• MEM30031 — Operate computer-aided design (CAD) system to produce basic drawing elements
• MSFFDM4009 — Match furnishing style and materials to customer requirements
• MSFFL2031 — Remove existing floor coverings
• MSFFL2033 — Install hard underlays
• MSFFL2035 — Mechanically prepare surfaces for installation of flooring materials
• MSFFL2038 — Install lay flat vinyl floor coverings
• MSFFL2040 — Install engineered timber flooring
• MSFFL2041 — Install impact and sound absorption underlay
• MSFFL2042 — Nail strip timber flooring
• MSFFL2043 — Install expansion joints
• MSFFL2044 — Install mouldings and edge trims to timber flooring
• MSFFL2045 — Coarse sand timber flooring
• MSFFL3055 — Respond to complaints about flooring installations
• MSFFL3057 — Select and fit diamond tools for concrete surface preparation and polishing
• MSFFL3058 — Provide advice to customers on floor coverings
• MSFFL3066 — Install linoleum floor coverings
• MSFFL3068 — Install resilient floor coverings using custom designs and decorative finishes
• MSFFL3069 — Install rubber floor coverings
• MSFFL3071 — Install anti-static and conductive resilient floor coverings
• MSFFL3072 — Mix and apply thin-film rollcoat resin flooring systems
• MSFFL3073 — Mix and apply thin-film broadcast resin flooring systems
• MSFFL3074 — Mix and apply self-levelling resin flooring systems
• MSFFL3075 — Mix and apply trowel-applied resin flooring systems
• MSFFL3076 — Mix and apply high-build decorative resin flooring systems
• MSFFL3077 — Prepare subfloors for resin flooring systems
• MSFFL3078 — Install direct stick timber flooring
• MSFFL3079 — Adapt and apply custom designs to timber flooring
• MSFFL3080 — Install timber flooring materials to stairs
• MSFFL3081 — Install block parquetry flooring
• MSFFL3082 — Install cork tiles
• MSFFL3087 — Plan and implement maintenance systems for timber, laminate and engineered flooring
• MSFFL3089 — Apply solvent-based coatings to timber flooring
• MSFFL3090 — Apply water-based coatings to timber flooring
• MSFFL3092 — Apply composite-based coatings to timber flooring
• MSFFL3094 — Apply stains and fillers to timber flooring
• MSFFL3098 — Sand and fill parquetry flooring
• MSFFL3099 — Apply finishes to cork flooring
• MSFFL3100 — Apply densifiers and sealers to concrete surfaces
• MSFFL3101 — Install bamboo flooring
• MSFFL3103 — Install soft carpet underlay and grippers
• MSFFL3104 — Install unpatterned tufted carpet
• MSFFL3105 — Install laminate and hybrid vinyl flooring
• MSFFL3108 — Polish concrete floors
• MSFFL3109 — Install carpet tiles
• MSFFL3110 — Install adhesive-fixed carpet
• MSFFL3111 — Install commercial carpet
• MSFFL3112 — Install patterned carpet
• MSFFL3113 — Install carpet on complex stairs
• MSFFL3114 — Install resilient tiles and planks
• MSFFL3115 — Install commercial sheet vinyl flooring
• MSFFL3116 — Install resilient sheet to walls
• MSFFL3117 — Install mosaic and panel parquetry flooring
• MSFFL3118 — Install sprung timber flooring
• MSFFL3119 — Install timber battens and plywood in preparation to install strip timber
• MSFFL3120 — Install timber flooring on joists
• MSFFL3121 — Apply emulsion wax and oil-based coatings to timber floors
• MSFFL3122 — Fine sand timber floors
• MSFFL3123 — Edge sand timber floors
• MSFFL3124 — Sand cork floors
• MSFFL3125 — Mix and apply thin-set terrazzo
• MSFFL3126 — Grout polished concrete floors
• MSFFL3127 — Install synthetic textile floor coverings in indoor and outdoor facilities
• MSFGN3007 — Set up and operate a self-employed contracting business
• MSS402055 — Apply quality standards
• TAEDEL311 — Provide work skill instruction
• TAEDEL414 — Mentor in the workplace

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 Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (MSF30322, 25 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 MSF30822 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.