Overview
Gain the foundational skills for an apprenticeship in furniture making or cabinet making, with a Certificate II in Furniture Making MSF20313 at Victoria University Polytechnic.
You’ll learn to build high-quality furniture in this practical pre-apprenticeship course. We'll ensure you're ready to enter the trades industry by introducing you to a range of basic production skills including:
- use of hand and power tools
- making measurements and calculations
- timber joining
- furniture assembly
- finishing and surface coating.
You’ll also learn about workplace safety and environmentally-sustainable work practices.
When you graduate from this course, you’ll have a broad understanding of the industry and be prepared to choose your career path. You’ll have the skills and knowledge to gain employment as an apprentice and undertake further study such as the Certificate III in Cabinet Making MSF31113.
Free TAFE - apply now
Eligible students currently won’t pay tuition fees for this course.
Free TAFE courses align with skills and jobs that are in high demand from Victorian employers.
Find out more about Free TAFE.
Multi-million dollar trades facilities
You'll learn in our multi-million dollar trades facilities at our Sunshine Campus.
Our ‘Construction Futures’ hub is a sustainable training facility with a six-Star Green rating. It provides modern high-tech labs and dynamic workshops including:
- concrete laboratory
- survey laboratory
- engine laboratory
- soldering/construction laboratories
- power systems laboratory
- computer workstations with simulation and modelling software.
Hands-on learning & industry links
Everything you learn at Victoria University Polytechnic has direct links to the real world. You’ll learn practical skills on special purpose equipment at our Construction Hub, giving you the chance to test out your theoretical knowledge. Learning with us means you’ll get the hands-on learning to be job-ready when you graduate.
You’ll learn from teachers who have valuable industry contacts and the latest industry-standard skills. You’ll also develop links with industry and professional experience through:
- industry simulation
- live work
- site visits.
Study support
Victoria University Polytechnic is a supportive place to study. We have a range of academic support programs that can help you if you're struggling with your studies.
We can help you with your assignments and assessment tasks, maths, writing skills and English language support, as well as showing you effective ways to study and manage your time and preparation. Our study support programs include:
- workshops and study groups
- student mentors and peer learning
- maths and writing resources.
We also have disability support services and counselling services available to all students.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced Victoria University Polytechnic course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
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Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
- Course information sessions
How a pre-apprenticeship can launch your trades career
A pre-apprenticeship gives you a fantastic head start on an apprenticeship, allowing you to lay the foundations for an exciting career in trades.
Application support sessions
Do you need help applying for a pre-apprenticeship? Attend an application support session to be guided through your pre-apprenticeship application at VU Polytechnic.
Careers in furniture making
Furniture making and cabinet making require technical, organisational and craftsmanship skills. This pre-apprenticeship from Victoria University Polytechnic can help you get your foot in the door. It will give you the industry skills and knowledge to apply for an apprenticeship and start your career. Employers often prefer apprentice applicants that have undertaken a pre-apprenticeship.
Upon graduating, you'll be ready to work as an apprentice in a production environment. You could find employment building free-standing furniture or built-in cabinets, or providing on-site assistance in installing furniture or cabinets.
Example job titles include:
- apprentice cabinet maker
- apprentice furniture maker
- assistant cabinet maker
- assistant installer (built-in cabinets for kitchens/bathrooms)
- production operator (within cabinet making enterprise).
Award-winning students
Trades students from Victoria University Polytechnic are consistently recognised for industry awards and in skills competitions such as WorldSkills.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
The course structure comprises the following core and elective units. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback.
To be awarded the MSF20313 Certificate II in Furniture Making, a student must successfully complete a total of thirteen (13) units, comprising of:
- five (5) core units, and;
- eight (8) elective units, of which:
- one (1) unit must be selected from Group A;
- four (4) units must be selected from Group B, with a maximum of two (2) units coded MSS, and;
- three (3) units may be selected from the MSF Furnishing Training Package, other endorsed training packages and/or accredited courses. Units must be aligned at Certificate II level (maximum 3 units) or Certificate III level (maximum 1 unit) as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.
Elective units must be relevant to the work environment and the qualification, maintain the integrity of the AQF alignment and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
CORE UNITS:
ELECTIVE UNITS:
Furniture Elective Delivery option
Group A
Group B
Group C: Certificate III Level
Continuing students only who commenced prior to 07/12/2022
Kitchen Elective Delivery option
Group A
Group B
Group C: Certificate III Level
Units for Continuing Students Only for 2022
Elective Group B
Elective Group C: Certificate II Level
Elective Group C: Certificate III Level
CREDIT TRANSFER
Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.
Transitioning Unit Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers
Learning outcomes
This qualification describes the skills and knowledge required to perform the manufacture of free-standing furniture or built-in cabinets, and provide on-site assistance in the installation of furniture or cabinets involving known routines and procedures and some accountability for the quality of outcomes. It reflects vocational outcomes for those performing as assistant cabinet makers, assistant installers of built-in cabinets, and production operators within a cabinet making enterprise. Cabinets include free-standing and built-in furniture or fitted cabinets, such as those used in kitchens and bathrooms. Skills are also included that cover assisting in the installation or renovation of kitchens and bathrooms and other fitted cabinets, which involves collaboration with others through members of a group or team. This qualification does not cover shop fitting. Meaningful involvement of industry is essential to achieving this qualification outcome.
This qualification is suitable for persons employed in furniture making as described above. It also applies to persons who are formally engaged in a traineeship in accordance with the Australian Apprenticeships policy.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
As part of the application process, applicants must complete a Pre-training Review (PTR) and undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine suitability for admission.
VETDSS: The literacy and numeracy levels of applicants will be assessed through consultation with the relevant Secondary school.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Available start dates:
- 19 June 2023
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Apply direct to VU using our admission centre, submit applications for one or more courses, track and save your progress and upload additional information.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Contact VU Polytechnic
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
