Start your plastering apprenticeship
Learn wall and ceiling lining on real construction sites across Queensland and New South Wales, earn a wage from day one, and walk away with your Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining in 3–4 years. No classroom required.
1500+ apprentices trained
Earn while you learn
Get paid from day one while you learn plasterboard fixing, suspended ceilings, and finishing on real construction sites. No student debt, you’re a paid apprentice plasterer earning a wage from your first week.
We’ll help you find an employer
We’ll connect you with builders and fit-out contractors in our network who need wall and ceiling lining apprentices. We’ll match you based on your location in Queensland or New South Wales and what you’re looking for in an employer.
On-site learning
You’ll learn wall and ceiling lining on real residential and commercial builds, fixing plasterboard, installing suspended ceilings, and finishing joints on live projects. Your Everthought trainer visits your site, and theory is completed online in your own time.
About this apprenticeship
A plastering apprenticeship qualifies you as a wall and ceiling liner, one of the most essential trades on any residential or commercial construction site. Every home and commercial building needs wall and ceiling liners, which means qualified tradespeople are always in demand.
You’ll learn on real construction sites working alongside qualified tradies who’ll teach you the skills you actually need. Everthought’s trainers visit your worksite to check your progress and assess your competency, and you can complete the theory online in your own time. No classroom required.
At the end of your apprenticeship you’ll hold a CPC31220 Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining, a nationally recognised qualification that sets you up as a recognised tradesperson in the construction industry.
What you'll learn
The CPC31220 Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining covers everything from fixing plasterboard and fibre cement through to installing suspended ceilings, fire-rated systems, and decorative finishes. Training is delivered at your worksite by Everthought trainers with real industry experience, so what you’re learning directly applies to the work you’re doing every day.
Your training covers the practical wall and ceiling lining skills you’ll use on construction sites across Queensland and New South Wales:
- Fixing plasterboard wall and ceiling sheets to residential and commercial standards
- Fixing battens, wet area sheets, and fibre cement board
- Finishing plasterboard joints and sanding plaster work
- Cutting and fixing paper-faced cornices
- Installing suspended ceilings and constructing bulkheads
- Assembling partitions and installing dry wall passive fire-rated systems
- Mixing and applying plastering compounds
- Reading and interpreting building plans and specifications on site
- Workplace health and safety (WHS) in the construction industry
- Construction measurements and calculations
Units
The CPC31220 Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining is made up of 29 units of competency: 22 core units and 7 elective units. As an apprentice you’ll work through these progressively on the job, with your Everthought trainer assessing your competency at your worksite.
Core Units
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| 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
| Unit Code | Unit Name |
|---|---|
| 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
Wall and ceiling lining is one of those trades that keeps construction moving, without liners, nothing else gets finished. Once you’ve completed your CPC31220 Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining, your options include:
- Working as a qualified wall and ceiling liner on residential and commercial construction sites
- Specialising in suspended ceilings, fire-rated systems, or bulkhead construction
- Taking on renovation and fit-out work for builders and developers
- Starting your own wall and ceiling lining business as a self-employed tradesperson
- Moving into a supervisory or site management role on larger construction projects
- Working anywhere in Australia with a nationally recognised trade qualification
Skilled wall and ceiling liners are consistently in demand across the construction industry, and a CPC31220 Certificate III gives you the foundation for a long, stable career.
Qualification
CPC31220 Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining
Duration
3–4 years
Location
Employers worksite (Queensland, New South Wales)
Entry Requirements
- Minimum working age
- White Card (General Construction Induction) / CPCWHS1001
- Access to tools and equipment as per FERC
- Registered apprenticeship *
Frequently asked questions
If you still have questions, our team will be happy to help. Please reach out at info@everthought.edu.au.
- Completion of Language, Literacy, and Numeracy Assessment (not necessarily a barrier to entry)
- Employed in a registered apprenticeship*
- Access to the internet
- Evidence of completion of pre-requisite units if not provided by EverthoughtÂ
*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.
Typically 3–4 years, depending on your employer and progress. Our workplace training model means you’re building competency on the job the whole time, which keeps things moving.
Apprentice wages are set by the Building and Construction General On-site Award. Your pay increases each year as you progress. It’s not a full trade wage from the start, but you are earning while you learn, which puts you well ahead of full-time study.
Absolutely. There’s no upper age limit on apprenticeships. We work with school leavers, career changers, and people re-entering the workforce. If you want to get into wall and ceiling lining, we can help make it happen.
Yes. We deliver the Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining, commonly referred to as a plastering or plasterboard apprenticeship, across Queensland and New South Wales. In Queensland, we work with apprentices across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Ipswich, the Sunshine Coast, and regional QLD. In New South Wales, we cover Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast, Wollongong, and regional NSW. All competency assessments happen at your employer’s worksite with no campus attendance required at any stage.
- QLD: Everthought Education Pty Ltd, RTO 32438Â
- NSW: Everthought Education Pty Ltd, RTO 32438Â Â (This training is subsided by the NSW government).
Become a qualified plasterer with Everthought
Simply enter your details and we’ll be in touch shortly to discuss the best pathway for you.
- info@everthought.com.au
- 1300 728 996
