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 job role of Saw Technicians who service, maintain and align saw blades, knives and guides for timber sawmilling machines and other applications. Saw Technicians may also inspect, test, maintain and troubleshoot mechanical components on sawing machine centres to achieve sawing production rates and product tolerances.
The elective groups and units of competency within this qualification can provide Saw Technicians with two pathway options. Saw Technicians can use the qualification to develop skills in performing general saw servicing operations or develop skills in saw maintenance engineering roles.
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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Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:
*To be eligible for this funding, you have to do an apprenticeship.
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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 an apprenticeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
This apprenticeship 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 apprenticeship:
3 years - Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Through apprenticeship:
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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 knowledge of timber properties, sawmill operations and sawmilling equipment | Core |
| Apply principles of blade design to sawing procedures | Core |
| Assess and maintain saw technology tools | Core |
| Identify levelling and tensioning requirements for saw blades | Core |
| Replace tungsten tips | Core |
| Sharpen and position blades or knives in chipper, canter and reducer | Core |
| Work effectively with others | Core |
| Align sawing production systems | Elective |
| Apply 5S procedures | Elective |
| Apply principles of timber and process optimisation in sawmill operations | Elective |
| Apply safety, health and environmental requirements in forest and wood products operations | Elective |
| Apply statistics to operational processes | Elective |
| Assess and maintain band saw wheels | Elective |
| Assess and maintain cutter performance | Elective |
| Assess and maintain saw blade and sawing machine performance | Elective |
| Assess and maintain wide band saw blades | Elective |
| Assess timber against quality requirements and specifications | Elective |
| Communicate and interact effectively in the forest and wood products industry | Elective |
| Conduct operator level equipment maintenance in forest and wood products industry | Elective |
| Contribute to energy efficiency in the forest and wood products industry | Elective |
| Dismantle, replace and assemble engineering components | Elective |
| File and set saw blades for hand saws and circular saws | Elective |
| Hand sharpen knives and blades for commercial and domestic cutting services | Elective |
| Interpret technical drawing | Elective |
| Join band saw blades | Elective |
| Level and tension circular saw blades | Elective |
| Manufacture profile cutters | Elective |
| Operate and maintain a table saw | Elective |
| Operate CNC equipment for grinding, tensioning and levelling saw blades | Elective |
| Organise and communicate information | Elective |
| Perform brazing and/or silver soldering | Elective |
| Perform computations | Elective |
| Perform engineering measurements | Elective |
| Perform routine gas metal arc welding | Elective |
| Perform routine gas tungsten arc welding | Elective |
| Plan work activities | Elective |
| Produce basic engineering drawings | Elective |
| Produce templates | Elective |
| Recondition saw guides | Elective |
| Replace saw blades, knives and guides | Elective |
| Replace Stellite tips | Elective |
| Sharpen band saw blades | Elective |
| Sharpen circular saw blades | Elective |
| Sharpen cutters in head using a profile knife grinder | Elective |
| Sharpen cutters in head using a straight knife grinder | Elective |
| Sharpen cutters using a straight knife grinder | Elective |
| Sharpen tipped circular saw blades | Elective |
| Swage and shape saw blades | Elective |
| Undertake manual handling | Elective |
| Use hand tools | Elective |
| Use power tools/hand held operations | Elective |
| Use structured problem-solving tools | Elective |
| Work effectively in the forest and wood products industry | Elective |
| Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Saw Technology sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Saw Doctor
ANZSCO 323315
Saw Doctors repair, set and sharpen blades for circular, band and other saws.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV
Training providers delivering Certificate III in Saw Technology
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 NSW (RTO code 90003)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Timber Training Creswick Ltd (RTO code 4168)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
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.