This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification reflects the role of individuals working as operators in a food processing environment who have responsibility for overseeing all or part of a processing plant and related equipment. They are required to work autonomously, use judgement, interpret information, and apply solutions to routine and some non-routine problems. They may also take some responsibility for the output of others.
This qualification offers specialisations in:
- Bottling and Packaging
- Brewing
- Confectionery
- Dairy Processing (cheese, powder and/or milk)
- Distilling
- Edible Oils (refining or cold pressing edible oils)
- Milling
- Non-alcoholic Beverages (fruit juice, cordial)
- Pet Food (companion animals)
- Quality (for operator roles)
- Sales
- Stock Feed (cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, poultry, fish – animals that produce for human consumption).
Users should note there are specialist components that cover the processing of meat and poultry in the AMP Meat Processing Training Package, and specialist components that cover the processing of seafood in the SFI Seafood Industry Training Package.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, in accordance with state/territory food safety, and work health and safety codes, regulations and legislation that apply to the workplace.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.
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On-the-job training
- Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
This traineeship is available:
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Through traineeship:
2 years - Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Through traineeship:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Apply good manufacturing practice requirements in food processing | Core |
| Contribute to work health and safety processes | Core |
| Monitor the implementation of food safety and quality programs | Core |
| Operate and monitor interrelated processes in a production or packaging system | Core |
| Participate in traceability activities | Core |
| Achieve sales results | Elective |
| Analyse and achieve sales targets | Elective |
| Apply biosecurity measures | Elective |
| Apply digital technology in food processing | Elective |
| Apply principles of statistical process control | Elective |
| Apply quality standards | Elective |
| Apply quality systems and procedures | Elective |
| Apply raw materials, ingredient and process knowledge to production problems | Elective |
| Blend and dispatch malt | Elective |
| Carry out manual handling tasks | Elective |
| Carry out processing for a range of artisan cheeses | Elective |
| Carry out sampling and testing of milk at receival | Elective |
| Clean and mill olives | Elective |
| Clean and sanitise equipment | Elective |
| Clean equipment in place | Elective |
| Complete routine workplace formatted texts | Elective |
| Conduct a traceability exercise | Elective |
| Conduct cheese making operations | Elective |
| Conduct chemical wash for fresh produce | Elective |
| Conduct manual tasks safely | Elective |
| Confirm feed product meets animal nutrition requirements | Elective |
| Contribute to the achievement of quality objectives | Elective |
| Contribute to the development of workplace documentation | Elective |
| Control and monitor fruit and/or vegetable washing and milling | Elective |
| Control batch processing for micronutrients or additives in stock feed | Elective |
| Control batch processing for powdered milk products | Elective |
| Control contaminants and allergens in food processing | Elective |
| Deliver and monitor a service to customers | Elective |
| Ensure process improvements are sustained | Elective |
| Establish compliance requirements for work area | Elective |
| Estimate, measure and calculate with routine metric measurements for work | Elective |
| Facilitate a Just in Time system | Elective |
| Facilitate and improve implementation of 5S | Elective |
| Facilitate change in an organisation implementing competitive systems and practices | Elective |
| Filter fermented beverages | Elective |
| Identify dietary, cultural and religious considerations for food production | Elective |
| Implement the pest prevention program | Elective |
| Implement visual merchandising concepts | Elective |
| Interpret routine tables, graphs and charts and use information and data for work | Elective |
| Investigate business opportunities | Elective |
| Lead work teams and groups | Elective |
| Load and unload tankers | Elective |
| Maintain and calibrate instruments and equipment | Elective |
| Maintain stock control and receivals | Elective |
| Manage bottling and packaging processes | Elective |
| Manage filling and packaging of fermented beverages | Elective |
| Manufacture roast and ground coffee | Elective |
| Manufacture wafer products | Elective |
| Market new business ventures | Elective |
| Measure non-bulk ingredients | Elective |
| Monitor a break roll | Elective |
| Monitor a purification system | Elective |
| Monitor scratch and sizing | Elective |
| Operate a beverage packaging process | Elective |
| Operate a blending, sieving and bagging process | Elective |
| Operate a bulk dry goods transfer process | Elective |
| Operate a bulk liquid transfer process | Elective |
| Operate a case packing process | Elective |
| Operate a chocolate tempering process | Elective |
| Operate a complex chocolate depositing process | Elective |
| Operate a degumming and neutralisation process | Elective |
| Operate a depositing process | Elective |
| Operate a fill and seal process | Elective |
| Operate a grinding process | Elective |
| Operate a holding and storage process | Elective |
| Operate a mixing or blending process | Elective |
| Operate a packaging process | Elective |
| Operate a process control interface | Elective |
| Operate a production process | Elective |
| Operate an automated cutting process | Elective |
| Operate an earth filtration process | Elective |
| Operate an enrobing process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a beer filtration process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a beer maturation process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a bleaching process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a boiled confectionery process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a brewery fermentation process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a butter churning process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a butter oil process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a carbonated beverage filling process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a cheese pressing and moulding process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a chocolate conching process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a chocolate refining process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a complecting process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a confectionery depositing process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a cooling and wrapping process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a creamed honey manufacture process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a curd production and cutting process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a deodorising process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a doughnut making process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a drying process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a fermentation process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a filtration process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a flake preparation process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a form, fill and seal process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a granulation and compression process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a heat treatment process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a high speed wrapping process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a hydrogenation process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a laminated pastry production process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a liquid, mash or block stock feed process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a malaxer | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a panning process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a pastry forming and filling process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a pelleting process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a reduction system | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a retort process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a separation process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a soap splitting process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a starch moulding process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor a wort production process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor an evaporation process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor an extrusion process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor an homogenising process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor an interesterification process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor an olive oil separation process | Elective |
| Operate and monitor grain cleaning | Elective |
| Operate and monitor grain conditioning | Elective |
| Operate and monitor juice processing | Elective |
| Operate and monitor sifting and grading | Elective |
| Operate and monitor storage of virgin olive oil | Elective |
| Operate pumping equipment | Elective |
| Operate the bottle filling process | Elective |
| Operate the bottle sealing process | Elective |
| Operate the bottle supply process | Elective |
| Operate the carton erection process | Elective |
| Operate the carton packing process | Elective |
| Operate the electronic coding process | Elective |
| Operate the labelling process | Elective |
| Operate the softpack filling process | Elective |
| Organise receival and despatch operations | Elective |
| Participate in a HACCP team | Elective |
| Participate in an audit process | Elective |
| Participate in improvement processes | Elective |
| Participate in product recalls | Elective |
| Participate in sensory analyses | Elective |
| Participate in work teams and groups | Elective |
| Perform an allergen risk review | Elective |
| Perform aseptic techniques | Elective |
| Perform basic tests | Elective |
| Perform chemical tests and procedures | Elective |
| Perform dual column distillation (continuous still brandy) operations | Elective |
| Perform factory control tests | Elective |
| Perform packaging equipment changeover | Elective |
| Perform rectification (continuous still) operations | Elective |
| Perform single column lees stripping (continuous still brandy) operations | Elective |
| Perform standard tests on cane samples | Elective |
| Plan and implement a biosecurity program | Elective |
| Plan finances for new business ventures | Elective |
| Plan, conduct and monitor equipment maintenance | Elective |
| Prepare and monitor beer yeast propagation processes | Elective |
| Prepare food products using basic cooking methods | Elective |
| Prepare malted grain | Elective |
| Prepare, fill and store barrels for aging spirits | Elective |
| Prepare, standardise and use solutions | Elective |
| Pre-process raw materials | Elective |
| Program fresh produce grading equipment | Elective |
| Provide accurate food allergen information to consumers | Elective |
| Provide and apply workplace information | Elective |
| Provide on-job training support | Elective |
| Provide online customer service | Elective |
| Provide work skill instruction | Elective |
| Read and respond to information in routine visual and graphic texts | Elective |
| Read and respond to routine standard operating procedures | Elective |
| Receive and handle grain in a storage area | Elective |
| Receive and store raw materials for food processing | Elective |
| Report on workplace performance | Elective |
| Set up a production or packaging line for operation | Elective |
| Support and mentor individuals and groups | Elective |
| Undertake root cause analysis | Elective |
| Use digital technology for non-routine workplace tasks | Elective |
| Use numerical applications in the workplace | Elective |
| Use oral communication skills to participate in workplace meetings | Elective |
| Use strategies to respond to routine workplace problems | Elective |
| Use structured problem-solving tools | Elective |
| Work in a freezer storage area | Elective |
| Work in a socially diverse environment | Elective |
| Work with temperature controlled stock | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Food Processing sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Manufacturing Production Manager
ANZSCO 133512
Manufacturing Production Managers manage the manufacturing activities of organisations.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Meat Inspector
ANZSCO 311312
Meat Inspectors inspect animal carcasses, internal organs and meat processing facilities for disease to ensure compliance with government and industry standards with respect to quality and health.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Other Primary Products Inspector
ANZSCO 311399
Other Primary Products Inspectors includes jobs like Dairy Quality Assurance Officer, and Fruit and Vegetable Inspector.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Sales Assistant (General)
ANZSCO 621111
Assist customers to purchase goods or services and in a retail or wholesale environment.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Retail Supervisor
ANZSCO 621511
Retail Supervisors supervise and coordinate the activities of retail sales workers.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Baking Factory Worker
ANZSCO 831111
Baking Factory Workers operate machines and perform routine tasks to make bread, cakes and other baked products, and to slice and wrap products.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Brewery Worker
ANZSCO 831112
Brewery Workers operate machines and perform routine tasks to make beer, and package, store and despatch beer in bottles, cans and kegs.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Confectionery Maker
ANZSCO 831113
Confectionery Makers operate machines and perform routine tasks to make and wrap confectionery.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Dairy Products Maker
ANZSCO 831114
Dairy Products Makers operate machines and perform routine tasks to make and package milk, milk powder, yoghurt, butter, cheese and other dairy products.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Fruit and Vegetable Factory Worker
ANZSCO 831115
Fruit and Vegetable Factory Workers operate machines and perform routine tasks to prepare canned and frozen fruit and vegetables, and make and package sauces, jams and juices.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Grain Mill Worker
ANZSCO 831116
Grain Mill Workers operate machines and perform routine tasks to mix, mill and treat grains and by-products, to make flour, meal, and stockfeed.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Other Food and Drink Factory Worker
ANZSCO 831199
Other Food and Drink Factory Workers includes jobs like Coffee Roaster, Egg Factory Worker, Ice-cream Maker, Margarine Maker, and Pasta Maker.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Seafood Process Worker
ANZSCO 831313
Seafood Process Workers scale, clean, fillet, cut, shell, grade and package fish and shellfish.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Chocolate Packer
ANZSCO 832111
Chocolate Packers weigh, wrap, seal and label chocolate products.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education -
Other Packer
ANZSCO 832199
Other Packers includes jobs like Biscuit Packer, Bread Packer, Cheese Packer, and Egg Packer.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education
Training providers delivering Certificate III in Food Processing
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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TAFE QUEENSLAND (RTO code 0275)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Strategix Training (RTO code 31418)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Academy Green Learning (RTO code 6187)
Contact this provider
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Australian College of Training (RTO code 51269)
Contact this provider
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Australian Food Training Centre (RTO code 40094)
Contact this provider
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Calibre Training & Development Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Calibre Unit Trust (RTO code 32394)
Contact this provider
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DYNAMIC LEARNING SERVICES (RTO code 40467)
Contact this provider
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FS Alliance (RTO code 30814)
Contact this provider
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J2S Training Solutions Pty Ltd (RTO code 90940)
Contact this provider
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National Food Institute (RTO code 3821)
Contact this provider
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National Training Organisation Pty Ltd (RTO code 90772)
Contact this provider
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Pivotal Education (RTO code 90272)
Contact this provider
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Precision Training Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 91808)
Contact this provider
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Redcliffe State High School (RTO code 30430)
Contact this provider
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Skilled Care (RTO code 31942)
Contact this provider
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Training and Quality Management Services Pty Ltd (RTO code 6051)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.