RPL for Certificate III in Upholstery

Certificate III in Upholstery 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 MSF30722 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 MSF30722. 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 MSF30722 involves →

The 25 units you complete, chosen from these 32

You do not do all 32. Certificate III in Upholstery is 12 core units, which everyone does, plus 13 chosen from the 20 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.

Core units — everyone does these

• MSFGN2001 — Make measurements and calculations
• MSFGN3005 — Read and interpret work documents
• MSFGN3006 — Estimate and cost job
• MSFUP2007 — Use upholstery hand and power tools
• MSFUP2008 — Fit upholstery components
• MSFUP2010 — Machine sew basic upholstery final cover materials
• MSFUP2011 — Develop cutting plan and cut single layer upholstery fabric
• MSFUP2012 — Dismantle and reassemble furniture for upholstering
• MSFUP3016 — Fit and apply final cover materials to furniture using basic techniques
• MSMSUP102 — Communicate in the workplace
• MSMSUP106 — Work in a team
• MSMWHS200 — Work safely

Electives — you choose from these

• BSBESB401 — Research and develop business plans
• BSBESB403 — Plan finances for new business ventures
• BSBESB405 — Manage compliance for small businesses
• BSBESB407 — Manage finances for new business ventures
• CUAACD312 — Produce computer-aided drawings
• MSFUP2009 — Apply contemporary foundations to upholstered furniture
• MSFUP3015 — Apply traditional foundations to upholstered furniture
• MSFUP3017 — Fit and apply final cover materials to furniture using decorative techniques
• MSFUP3018 — Lay out patterns and cut leather
• MSFUP3019 — Machine sew complex upholstery final cover materials
• MSFUP3020 — Fit and apply leather to furniture
• MSFUP3021 — Manufacture and fit loose covers
• MSFUP3022 — Apply finishing techniques to upholstered furniture
• MSFUP3023 — Develop cutting plan and cut multiple layer upholstery fabric
• MSFUP3024 — Cut, sew and fit skirts to upholstered furniture
• MSFUP3025 — Cut, sew, fit or fill cushions
• MSFUP3026 — Apply marine sewing and installation techniques
• MSFUP3027 — Cut and sew canvas and acrylics
• MSMENV272 — Participate in environmentally sustainable 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 Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (MSF30322, 25 units)
• 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)

When you are ready, see what MSF30722 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.