CPC31220 Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining
Become a qualified wall and ceiling liner with Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining. Choose from apprenticeship or RPL pathways and gain the skills to build your future in Australia’s booming construction industry.
About this course
The Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining (CPC31220) is a trade-level qualification that qualifies you as a fibrous plasterer working on residential and commercial projects. You’ll learn to fix plasterboard to walls and ceilings, finish plasterboard joints, mix plastering compounds, install suspended ceilings, fix cornices, install fire-rated systems, and work safely at heights.
This course covers residential and commercial plastering and wall lining applications. You’ll gain hands-on skills while learning to read plans and specifications, assemble partitions and bulkheads, and follow work health and safety practices to meet industry standards.
This nationally recognised qualification lets you work for construction companies, specialise in areas like fire-rated systems or suspended ceilings, or start your own wall and ceiling lining business.
Course details
Qualification: Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining (CPC31220)
This course covers the essential skills for residential and commercial wall and ceiling lining work:
- Reading and interpreting plans and specifications
- Fixing standard plasterboard wall and ceiling sheets
- Fixing battens and wet area sheets
- Fixing fibre cement board
- Mixing plastering compounds
- Finishing plasterboard joints manually
- Manually sanding plaster work
- Cutting and fixing paper-faced cornices
- Installing dry wall passive fire-rated systems
- Constructing and installing bulkheads
- Assembling partitions
- Installing suspended ceilings
- Working safely at heights
- Workplace safety, communication and project planning
This course is ideal for:
- School leavers wanting a hands-on trade career
- Career changers looking for job security in a growing industry
- Existing construction workers wanting formal qualifications
- Apprentices completing their formal training requirements
This is a nationally recognised qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Your Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining is recognised across all Australian states and territories, giving you the flexibility to work anywhere in the country.
Units
| Core Units | |
| CPCCWHS2001 | Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry |
| CPCCOM1012 | Work effectively and sustainably in the construction industry |
| CPCCOM1013 | Plan and organise work |
| CPCCOM1014 | Conduct workplace communication |
| CPCCOM1015 | Carry out measurements and calculations |
| CPCCOM2001 | Read and interpret plans and specifications |
| CPCCCM2012 | Work safely at heights |
| CPCCPB3001 | Fix standard plasterboard wall sheets |
| CPCCPB3002 | Fix standard plasterboard ceiling sheets |
| CPCCPB3003 | Fix battens |
| CPCCPB3004 | Fix wet area sheets |
| CPCCPB3005 | Fix ceiling sheets to external protected areas |
| CPCCPB3006 | Fix fibre cement board |
| CPCCPB3007 | Apply levels of finish standards to planning and inspection of own work |
| CPCCPB3008 | Mix plastering compounds |
| CPCCPB3009 | Finish plasterboard joints manually |
| CPCCPB3010 | Manually sand plaster work |
| CPCCPB3012 | Cut and fix paper-faced cornices |
| CPCCWC3003 | Install dry wall passive fire-rated systems |
| CPCCCA3014 | Construct and install bulkheads |
| CPCCCA3026 | Assemble partitions |
| CPCCWC3004 | Install suspended ceilings |
| Elective Units | |
| CPCCPB3017 | Rectify faults in drywall applications |
| CPCCCA3001 | Carry out general demolition of minor building structures |
| CPCCCM2006 | Apply basic levelling procedures |
| CPCCCM2008 | Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding |
| CPCCPB3027 | Install ceiling insulation products |
| CPCCSP3003 | Apply trowelled texture coated finishes |
| CPCCPB3018 | Use vacuum and electric sanding equipment to finish plaster work |
Career opportunities
This course opens up career options in Australia’s booming construction industry. There’s strong demand for skilled wall and ceiling liners across the country, and this is expected to keep growing through 2029. Qualified wall and ceiling liners enjoy solid job security and strong pay across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
Where can you work?
- Construction companies & builders – Work on homes, apartments, shopping centres, and major projects across Australia. Wall and ceiling liners are needed on nearly every building site.
- Specialised plastering – Focus on fire-rated systems, suspended ceilings, decorative finishes, or commercial fit-outs. These specialised jobs often pay more.
- Renovations & fit-outs – Work with renovation companies, shopfitting businesses, or commercial fit-out specialists. Interior finishing work is always in demand.
- Your own business – Start your own wall and ceiling lining company doing residential builds, commercial projects, renovations, or specialised plastering work.Â
Career growth
Experienced wall and ceiling liners often move up to leading hand, site supervisor, foreperson, project manager, or estimator roles. With extra qualifications like Certificate IV in Building Project Support or Diploma of Building and Construction, you can step into senior management positions or start your own construction business.
Start dates
Throughout the year. Enquire for more information and start dates.
Delivery modes
Qualification pathways
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Already working in wall and ceiling lining? Get qualified faster by having your existing skills and experience formally assessed and recognised.
Duration
2 – 8 weeks (dependent on experience and knowledge)
View course details
Location
Virtual assessment plus completion of any gap training required.
Entry requirements
- 3 to 4 years demonstrated experience with a minimum of two work referrals from qualified builders
Training provider
Everthought Education Pty Ltd, RTO 32438
Everthought assesses your existing skills and experience against the qualification requirements. If you can provide sufficient evidence of your industry experience or previous training, you may not need additional formal study. Gap training is provided if needed, and we’ll guide you through the process.
Access the information and guidelines. Learn more about eligibility criteria and co-contribution fees.
Apprenticeship
Learn while you earn. Combine paid work with a wall and ceiling lining employer and structured training to complete your qualification.
Duration
3 – 4 years
View course details
Location
Employers worksite
Entry requirements
- Minimum working age
- White Card (General Construction Induction) / CPCWHS1001
- Access to tools and equipment as per FERC
- Registered apprenticeship *
English language requirements
Completion of LLN Assessment (not necessarily a barrier to entry)
Training provider
- QLD: Everthought Education Pty Ltd, RTO 32438
- NSW: Everthought Education Pty Ltd, RTO 32438Â Â (This training is subsided by the NSW government).
*A training contract is a legally binding agreement between the employer and the apprentice or trainee. In signing the training contract, both parties are bound by certain obligations expressed in the contract. The training contract sets out the terms of the apprenticeship or traineeship, which are agreed to by both the employer and the apprentice or trainee.
 Learn more about eligibility criteria and co-contribution fees.
Frequently asked questions
If you still have questions, our team will be happy to help. Please reach out at info@everthought.edu.au.
Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining (CPC31220) is Australia’s nationally recognised plastering and wall lining qualification. It qualifies you as a fibrous plasterer working on residential and commercial projects. This course covers plasterboard installation, plastering, cornices, fire-rated systems, suspended ceilings, and all the essential skills required for the construction industry.
The duration varies by study mode: apprenticeships typically take 3-4 years combining work and study, while Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can be completed in 2-8 weeks for experienced wall and ceiling liners.
This qualification is available through apprenticeship (which requires employment with a registered employer) or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for those already working in wall and ceiling lining. We don’t currently offer a full-time on-campus option for this course.
Apprenticeships combine paid work with an employer and formal training over 3-4 years, ideal for those starting their wall and ceiling lining career. RPL is for experienced wall and ceiling liners who want to get qualified faster by having their existing skills and work experience formally assessed and recognised.
Qualified wall and ceiling liners (also known as fibrous plasterers) can work on residential or commercial projects, install suspended ceilings, work on fire-rated systems, or specialise in decorative plaster finishes. You can also start your own wall and ceiling lining business,
Yes, Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining (CPC31220) is a nationally recognised qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework. It’s recognised across all Australian states and territories and meets the requirements for qualified wall and ceiling liners.
Become a qualified wall & ceiling liner with Everthought
Simply enter your details and we’ll be in touch shortly to discuss the best pathway for your qualification.
- info@everthought.com.au
- 1300 728 996
