Last Updated on April 8, 2025 by Ozlinks Education

If you have been working as a stonemason in the building construction industry but have not yet obtained your qualification for any reason, you’ve arrived at the correct place. The RPL, or Recognition of Prior Learning, program provides an opportunity to convert your skills and work experience into a formal Certificate III in Stonemasonry through one of our Registered Training Organisation partners.

Certificate III in Stonemasonry Overview

The Certificate III in Stonemasonry (CPC32320) is intended for stonemasons who work with sandstone, limestone, marble, and other types of stone and stone products to create stone monuments, buildings and building components such as walls, floors, arches, chimneys, stairs, windows, decorative mouldings, fireplaces, and benchtops. It is advisable to pursue this certificate, as it serves as a crucial trade qualification for stonemason’s roles in the building and construction industry.

To achieve this qualification, competency must be demonstrated in:

30 units of competency must be completed:

  • 21 core units
  • 9 elective units

Job titles: Stonemason

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Find out if you qualify for this certificate

Why do I need the Certificate III in Stonemasonry?

If you have been working as a stonemason in the residential or commercial building industry but have not yet obtained your qualification for any reason, undertaking an RPL program for this certification will significantly enhance your prospects in the building and construction sector. It will also equip you for the requirements to become a certified trade worker, enabling professionals to legally commence industrial, commercial, and residential building and construction projects throughout Australia.

International students and migrants working as a stonemason in Australian building construction want to apply for skills assessment for the occupation of stonemason under the General Skills Migration (GSM) program. For their migration skills assessment, they must thus obtain the Certificate III in Stonemasonry to satisfy one of the criteria.

Ozlinks Education can assist you in transforming your skills and work experience into a formal Certificate III in Stonemasonry 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 stonemasonry
rpl certificate iii in stonemasonry

What does a stonemason do?

A stonemason cuts and shapes hard and soft stone blocks and masonry slabs to construct and renovate stone structures, kitchen benchtops and monumental masonry.

Registration or licensing is required.

Their job involves:

  • IStudies plans and specifications to determine materials required, dimensions and installation procedures
  • Measures, marks dimensions, outlines, splits, cuts, shapes and finishes stone blocks and masonry slabs using hand tools and machinery
  • Sets out and cuts letters and designs into stone
  • Lays stone blocks and large masonry slabs to construct structures such as walls, arches and pillars, ensuring they are level and plumb
  • Constructs and installs stone construction elements such as benchtops and splashbacks
  • Assesses damage to and repairs stonework, including old or heritage buildings and monuments
  • May design, cut and install monumental masonry

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 building industry.
  • Obtain a qualification to satisfy the visa or skills assessment requirements.

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
  • A white card or any other relevant 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: 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 improve your chances of landing a high-paying job in the Australian job market, consider evaluating your skills and having them formally recognised. You can apply for skills certification through the recognition of prior learning process if you are a skilled worker or an international student migrant living in Australia with recent job experience. Choose the qualification that best meets your needs and circumstances from the list below. Building and construction is a significant industry that offers employment opportunities to both men and women in a wide variety of professions, such as joiners, carpenters, wall and floor tiler, solid plasterer, roof plumber, and general plumber. The building and construction refer to the manufacturing and commercial sector of the industrial sector that is concerned with the building, repairing, renovating, and maintaining of infrastructures.

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.