Last Updated on April 24, 2025 by Ozlinks Education

If you have been working as an electrical technician who hasn’t yet qualified, you are in the right place. The RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) program offers a pathway for you to convert your skills and work experience into a formal Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician through one of our Registered Training Organisation partners.

Find out more about recognition of prior learning.

Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician Overview

The UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician equips individuals with essential skills and knowledge for selecting, installing, setting up, testing, fault-finding, repairing, and maintaining electrical systems and equipment across various buildings and premises. Regulations relating to licensing directly govern the development of competencies for this qualification.

To obtain an Unrestricted Electrician’s Licence in most jurisdictions, it is necessary for the qualification to be completed through an apprenticeship or the Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) pathway. Click here for more about TRA pathway.

Job title

  • Electrician General
  • Electrical Contractor
  • Electrical Mechanic

CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY

Find out if you qualify for this certificate

Why do I need the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician?

If you have been working as an electrical technician but have not yet obtained your qualifications for any reason, pursuing the RPL program for this certification can significantly enhance your career in the building and construction sectors. In Australia, if you wish to work as an electrician, you must obtain a licence or be registered, depending on the specific requirements of your state or territory.

Before applying for your licence, you will need to acquire a combination of experience, qualifications, skills, and knowledge. By obtaining the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, you can meet the requirements for becoming a licenced electrician, enabling professionals to legally undertake residential, commercial, and industrial building and construction projects across Australia.

International students and migrants may require this certificate for their migration skills assessment if they intend to apply for a skilled visa as an electrician general. This certificate acts as proof of their qualifications and experience in the field, ensuring they satisfy the necessary standards set by the relevant assessing authorities.

Ozlinks Education can assist you in transforming your skills and work experience into a formal Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program with one of our Registered Training Organisation partners. Our expert team will assess your individual circumstances and provide tailored support to ensure that you achieve the qualifications necessary to advance your career.

rpl certificate iii in electrotechnology
rpl certificate iii in electrotechnology

What does an electrical technician do?

An electrician selects, installs, tests, connects, commissions, repairs, maintains, modifies and diagnoses faults with electrical equipment, wiring and control systems in non-industrial settings.

Registration or licensing is required.

Their job involves:

  • Interprets and uses technical drawings, circuit wiring and mechanical diagrams, equipment and cable/connection schedules and manuals to undertake electrical wiring work
  • Installs, repairs, maintains and tests electrical and electrotechnology systems and equipment, including wiring, switches, outlets, circuit breakers, transformers and lighting fixtures
  • Measures and lays out electrical installation sequences
  • Selects, cuts and connects wire and cables to circuit breakers, transformers or other electrical components in residential and commercial settings
  • Connect electrical systems to power supply
  • Tests continuity, resistance and compliance to standards of electrical circuits

What is Recognition of Prior Learning?

The Australian Qualification Framework (AQF), which is governed by the Australian Government’s Department of Education in consultation with the states and territories, gives all students the right to have their prior education, relevant work experience, and training acknowledged to facilitate their advancement towards and between qualifications. Every registered training organisation (RTO) has its own policies and procedures for determining your RPL eligibility, but the fundamentals are the same. The experience and skills you’ve gained through your work can help you complete a qualification faster and reduce the time commitment of taking a course to get you closer to your dream job.

The advantages of using RPL program

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program offer numerous benefits, including time and cost savings by validating existing skills and experience, expedited qualification achievement, and improved employment prospects. RPL program helps you:

  • There is no need to relearn what you already know.
  • It saves both your time and tuition fees.
  • Assist you in achieving your career change objectives in Australia.
  • Gaining an Australian qualification requires less time.
  • You do not need to attend classes or redo the training you have already completed.
  • Open new career opportunities in the conditioning and refrigeration industry.
  • Acquire a qualification that meets the skills assessment requirements for migration purposes.

Evidence requirements

Below is the general list of documents that you are required to provide to support your RPL assessment application:

  • 100 points of identification documents (ID)
  • A current resume outlines your relevant employment history
  • Student USI number
  • Australian citizen, permanent resident, or temporary visa holder with a full-time working right.
  • A white card or any other relevant license
  • Must have a minimum of 3 years of work experience full-time in Australia in an electrician technician and work under the supervision of an electrician registered license.
  • Employment evidence, including an employment reference letter, employment contract, payslips, income statement, and superannuation.
  • Workplace photos and videos that showcase you performing your tasks in accordance with the job duties outlined above demonstrate your competency in the relevant qualification.

 

Note: Additional gap training may be necessary to address any areas for improvement and to ensure a positive assessment outcome. An RTO assessor might conduct a competency interview with you to identify any existing training gaps.

The RPL process is done in 3 simple steps.

The RPL process consists of three stages and typically takes between six and eight weeks to complete from the time an applicant applies to an RPL assessment institute. During this period, applicants gather evidence of their skills and experiences, which is then evaluated against the relevant qualifications. This thorough process ensures that the recognition of prior learning accurately reflects the applicant's capabilities and knowledge.

What RPL qualification are you looking for?

To enhance your chances of securing a well-paying job in the Australian market, consider assessing your skills and work experience, as well as obtaining formal recognition of your qualifications. If you are a skilled welder, electrician, fabricator, or mechanical technician, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Choose a qualification that best aligns with your needs and circumstances from the list provided below.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of questions that our customers often ask us. If you need more information, don't hesitate to contact Ozlinks Education now.

Why should you consider RPL?

The RPL is generally a faster way to an Australian qualification than completing a formal training course because it recognizes your previous work experience.

Yes. The RPL evaluation process is just as thorough as any other evaluation. But the evidence you need to show may be different from what is usually asked in a class assessment.

When the criteria for each of the subjects are met, a degree may be partially or fully accredited. For example, only completed subjects can be counted towards the qualification.

Even if your credits aren't enough to qualify, you can still receive written certification of the courses you've completed.

This will depend on the complexity of your qualification, how many subjects you apply for and how long it takes you to gather proof of work experience, collate and submit proof. Usually, the RPL process is 6 to 8 weeks from the date of application to the RPL assessment institute and also depends on your industry and qualifications.