Last Updated on April 6, 2025 by Ozlinks Education

Have you been working as a shopfitter but haven’t yet obtained your qualification? You’re in the right place. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program offers a pathway to help you convert your skills and work experience into a formal Certificate III in Shopfitting, which is provided through our Registered Training Organisation partners.

Certificate III in Shopfitting Overview

The CPC30120 Certificate III in Shopfitting is designed for individuals aspiring to work as shopfitters in Australia. Shopfitters are responsible for fitting out shops and other commercial premises by fabricating, assembling, and installing shopfronts, cabinets, showcases, counters, and workstations using materials such as plastic, glass, metal, wood, and composite substances. Completing this certificate can also lead to a variety of employment opportunities within the building and shopfitting design industry.

To achieve this qualification, competency must be demonstrated in 18 units of competency must be completed:

  • 12 core units
  • 8 elective units

Job title

  • Shopfitters

Check Your Eligibility

Contact us to find out if you qualify for this qualification.

Why do I need the Certificate III in Shopfitting?

If you have been working as a shopfitter but have not yet obtained your qualification for any reason, pursuing an RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) program for this certification can greatly enhance your career in shopfitting design and renovation. This pathway enables you to gain recognition for your existing skills and experience, allowing you to achieve formal qualifications without the need for extensive retraining. Leveraging your practical knowledge can streamline the certification process and potentially lead to higher-paying positions or specialised roles within the industry. Additionally, obtaining this qualification can boost your confidence and credibility among clients and employers alike.

Overseas students and migrants working as shopfitters in Australia wish to apply for the shopfitters visa under the General Skills Migration (GSM) program. They must obtain the Certificate III in Shopfitting to satisfy one of the qualification criteria for the skills assessment required for the migration application.

Ozlinks Education can help you to convert your skills and work experience into a formal Certificate III in Shopfitting through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program offered by one of our Registered Training Organisation (RTO) partners. Our expert team will evaluate your individual circumstances and provide tailored support to ensure you achieve the qualifications necessary to advance your career.

rpl certificate iii in shopfitting
rpl certificate iii in shopfitting

What does a shopfitter do?

A shopfitter fitting out shops and other commercial premises by fabricating, assembling, and installing shopfronts, cabinets, showcases, counters, and workstations using materials such as plastic, glass, metal, wood, and composite substances. Registration or licensing may be required.

Their job involves:

  • Specifies, orders and prepares materials for fitouts, including business-specific equipment, fixtures and fittings
  • Prepares detailed, accurate design plans for fitouts using drawings, sketches or computer software
  • Sets out, fabricates and assembles shopfronts, commercial entries, bulkheads, component fittings, cabinets, showcases, wall units and workstations
  • Constructs and erects wall and ceiling framing, including installing internal linings, assembling partition frames and installing curtain walling
  • Schedules and coordinates other tradespeople such as Electricians, Plumbers and Painters required to complete the fitout

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.

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/cv outlines your relevant employment
  • 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: Additional gap training may be required to address any areas needing improvement and to ensure a positive assessment outcome. An RTO assessor may conduct a competency interview with you to identify any existing training gaps related to this Certificate III in Shopfitting.

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.