Course at a Glance
Course duration depends on the funding stream, credit transfers and recognition of prior learning. The course can be completed quicker or slower depending on individual circumstances.
Unit of Competencies
SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery includes 25 units of competencies, including 20 core units and 5 elective units. CTA Training Specialists offers the following units of competencies to students:
Core Units
Elective Units
Units marked with an * have a prerequisite/s units.
Units marked with a ^ workplace requirements.
For further information please email [email protected]
Qualification Outcome
CTA Training Specialists will issue you a nationally recognised qualification upon completing all requirements of this course.
Study Pathways
Pathways into this qualification
There are no entry requirments for this qualification.
Pathways from this qualification
Those who complete this course can work as a chef or a cook in hospitality venues such as restaurants, hotels, motels, clubs, pubs, cafes and coffee shops.
You can continue your studies through the following qualifications:
- SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management to work as a Chef de Partie or Kitchen manager.
- SIT50422 Diploma of Hospitality Management to work as a Chef de Cuisine or Restaurant Manager.
Credit Transfer/ Recognition of Prior Learning
You can transfer credits to this qualification if you have completed any of the core or elective units through other RTOs or previous qualifications. CTA does not charge fees for transferring credits. CTA also offers recognition of prior learning (RPL) for specific units (not available for school based traineeships). For more information about credit transfers and RPLs, please contact us at [email protected].
Funding Options
Career Start Program
Career Start is a core initiative funded by the Queensland Government and administered by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET). It is designed to help individuals launch their careers through subsidised entry-level training, whether they are looking for work or are already employed and seeking to gain more skills or transition into full-time roles.
There are two training options available through the program:
- General Training Pathway – Direct enrolment in Certificate III qualifications or introductory skill sets.
- Apprenticeship/Traineeship Pathway – Work-based training for apprentices or trainees under a formal contract.
For more information regarding the Career Start Program, please review the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET) fact sheet.
CTA Training Specialists offers SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery under the apprenticeship and traineeship pathway.
For apprenticeships and traineeships, an individual must be employed as an apprentice or trainee.
To be eligible for Career Start, you must:
- Be aged 15 years or older;
- Not be currently enrolled in secondary school (unless participating in a School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship – SAT);
- Be a permanent resident of Queensland;
- Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or a temporary resident on a pathway to permanent residency with appropriate work rights;
- Not hold a Certificate III or higher qualification completed within the past 10 years (qualifications obtained while at school and foundation skills qualifications are excluded);
- Not be currently enrolled in another qualification (unless it is a foundation skills course).
Additional eligibility conditions may apply depending on the qualification or training type.
- Explore available qualifications and review course information.
- Contact us for more details on course fees, delivery methods, timelines, and assessments.
- Submit your application online.
- Complete the online Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital (LLND) assessment.
- Participate in a pre-enrolment phone / face to face interview.
- Pay the required co-contribution fee.
- Finalise your enrolment and training plan with our Student Services team.
- Begin your training and access available support services.
Although the training is subsidised by the Queensland Government, students are required to contribute toward the cost of their training.
- Fees are determined by the training provider and may vary depending on the course and delivery mode.
- Employers or third parties may cover the co-contribution fee, but the training provider cannot waive it.
- Concessional rates may apply for:
- Health Care, Veteran, or Pensioner Concession Card holders (or their dependants);
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people;
- People with a disability;
- Adult prisoners.
Apprentices and trainees may also qualify for reduced or exempted fees under specific conditions.
If you want more details on funding, visit our funding page or download our student contribution fees for general training sheet.
We are here to support you throughout your training journey. Assistance may include:
- Foundation skills (LLN/Digital) training if required;
- Student services and learning support;
- Guidance on transitioning into employment or further study.
Refer to our:
- Funding approval is not guaranteed; all applications are subject to eligibility checks and available places.
- You may only access one subsidised Certificate III qualification and one apprenticeship/traineeship under Career Start OR two apprenticeships/traineeships total.
- One subsidised skill set may also be accessed.
- Licensing and registration fees (if required) are not included in the training subsidy.
- Job seekers are encouraged to speak with their employment service provider, who may be able to assist with costs or additional support.
- Full eligibility and program details are available at qld.gov.au
Further information about the Career Start Program is available at www.training.qld.gov.au
Fee For Service Training
Fee For Service Training is for students who are not eligible for government funding. Students only pay for the number of units they complete as CTA Training Specialists do not charge for credit transfers. Additional information about funding and eligibility criteria can be found here: Funding Options at CTA Training Specialists.
Benefits
What are the benefits of studying SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery?
The SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery provides comprehensive training for aspiring chefs, covering advanced food preparation, cooking techniques, and menu planning. This qualification equips students with the skills needed to excel in professional culinary environments.
Students gain extensive practical experience in commercial kitchens, learning to prepare a wide variety of dishes under the guidance of experienced chefs. This hands-on training ensures graduates are job-ready and can confidently handle real-world kitchen challenges.
As a nationally recognised qualification, Certificate III in Commercial Cookery is highly valued by employers across Australia. It demonstrates a high level of culinary competence and dedication, enhancing employability in the competitive hospitality industry.
This qualification opens up a range of career opportunities in the culinary field, including roles such as chef, sous chef, and kitchen supervisor. It also serves as a pathway to higher qualifications, such as the Certificate IV in Kitchen Management or the Diploma of Hospitality Management, for further career growth.
The course includes essential training in food safety, workplace hygiene, and nutrition. These critical areas ensure that graduates can maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety in the kitchen, protecting both staff and customers.
Students are encouraged to develop their culinary creativity and innovation. This aspect of the course helps them to create unique and appealing dishes, an essential skill for standing out in the culinary industry.
In addition to culinary techniques, the course covers important workplace skills such as time management, teamwork, and communication. These skills are vital for efficient kitchen operations and effective collaboration with colleagues.
Graduates of this qualification can find employment in various hospitality settings, including fine dining restaurants, hotels, resorts, and catering companies. The diverse skill set provided by the course ensures versatility and adaptability in different culinary environments.
FAQs
A Certificate III in Commercial Cookery can take you far if you want to be a professional chef. This cookery course gives you the skills to work unsupervised in a wide range of culinary establishments and with a wide variety of dishes. This means you can apply for roles like prep cook, sauce cook and sous chef
The Cert 3 in Commercial Cookery allows you to work as a trade cook or a sous chef, whereas Cert 4 in Kitchen Management gives you the skills to work as a chef or kitchen manager. The Cert 4 in kitchen Management is a more advanced course for those wanting to run and manage commercial kitchens.
