Trade Course Entry Requirements in Australia for Onshore International Students (2026)

Before choosing a trade or construction course, you’ll probably want to ask yourself these three questions first: Am I qualified? What is my required English level? And do I need experience on construction sites?

These questions matter because the entry requirements can change depending on what qualification you choose. Knowing them early can help you compare courses with more confidence and prepare the right documents before you start the enrolment process.

In this guide, we focus on five selected construction and civil construction qualifications available at Riverdale Institute:

• - CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry
• - CPC31020 Certificate III in Solid Plastering
• - CPC33020 Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying
• - RII50520 Diploma of Civil Construction Design
• - RII60520 Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design

If you are an onshore international student looking for trade courses in Melbourne or Australia, here’s what you need to know about age, education, English-language proficiency, LLN requirements and course suitability.

What Are the Entry Requirements?

For the five qualifications covered in this guide, applicants generally need to:

• - Be 18 years of age or older
• - Have successfully completed Australian Year 12 or equivalent
• - Meet an English-language requirement of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, subject to applicable evidence or assessment arrangements
• - Meet the required Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) level
• - Complete a pre-training review as part of the admission process

Entry is assessed individually, and meeting general requirements does not automatically guarantee enrolment.

Five Construction and Civil Construction Courses Covered in This Guide

The first three qualifications are practical construction skills, while the diploma and advanced diploma are more about civil construction design and technical ability.

Riverdale Institute offers these courses for international students. If you would like to learn more about entry requirements, course structure, duration, or the enrolment process, you can get in touch with our team for further information.

What Is the Minimum Age Requirement?

Applicants for the five courses outlined in this guide must be aged 18 or over.

If you're already in Australia, age is just one part of the admissions process. Academic background, English ability and LLN skills may also be considered in finalising enrolment.

What Academic Qualification Do You Need?

Applicants are generally expected to have completed Australian Year 12 or an equivalent qualification.

If you completed your previous education outside of Australia, you may need to submit proper academic documents along with your application so your education can be evaluated.

Having these documents prepared beforehand can simplify the application process, especially for onshore students who are thinking about switching study directions.

What English Level Is Required?

For the five courses discussed here, the English-language requirement is generally IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Depending on your individual circumstances, there may be other forms of English language evidence or an assessment pathway open to you.

Knowledge of English is particularly important for training in construction and civil construction, since students need to understand:

• - Workplace and safety instructions
• - Technical terminology
• - Written learning materials
• - Practical instructions
• - Assessments and documentation
• - Communication during training activities

Before applying, make sure you understand the English-language evidence required for your chosen course.

What Does LLN Mean?

LLN stands for Language, Literacy and Numeracy. The LLN assessment covers five areas: learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy.

For the qualifications covered in this guide, the minimum required LLN scores are:

Minimum LLN Score of 3 in Each Area

• - CPC31020 Certificate III in Solid Plastering
• - CPC33020 Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying

Applicants need to achieve a minimum score of 3 in learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy.

Minimum LLN Score of 4 in Each Area

• - CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry
• - RII50520 Diploma of Civil Construction Design
• - RII60520 Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design

A minimum score of 4 is needed in learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy.

Where an applicant is required to undertake an LLN assessment, the required score must be met as part of the applicable entry requirements. The review process for enrolment and pre-training may also include consideration of the student support needs.

Do You Need Previous Construction Experience?

Some of the qualifications discussed in this guide do not require you to have a prior trade qualification. This doesn’t mean all applicants are automatically eligible, though.

Students must still meet the applicable admission requirements, which could include age, education, English language ability, LLN skills and course suitability.

This could be beneficial to international students onshore who want to move into construction-related training but do not have any professional trade experience.

What Is a Pre-Training Review?

A pre-training review is used to help determine whether your chosen course is suitable for your background, current skills, and study goals.

It may consider factors such as:

• - Previous education
• - Existing knowledge and skills
• - Study expectations
• - Learning needs
• - Career interests
• - Support requirements

For students comparing trade courses in Australia, this process can help ensure that the qualification being considered is appropriate for their individual circumstances.

Which Course Could Suit Your Interests?

Choosing the right course depends on the type of skills you want to develop.

CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry focuses on practical carpentry skills used within construction environments.

CPC31020 Certificate III in Solid Plastering develops skills associated with solid plastering, rendering and finishing work.

CPC33020 Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying focuses on practical bricklaying, blocklaying and related construction skills.

RII50520 Diploma of Civil Construction Design develops technical skills related to civil construction design and project requirements.

RII60520 Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design provides further development of civil construction design and technical capabilities.

The qualifications discussed in this guide are construction and civil construction courses for international students. If you’d like a broader overview of what’s available, see our guide to top trade courses in Australia for onshore international students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Can onshore international students study trade courses in Australia?

Yes. International students who are in Australia and satisfy the entry requirements and individual circumstances for the course can enrol in suitable CRICOS-registered vocational courses.

Q.2 What IELTS score is required for these courses?

The five qualifications covered in this guide generally require IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, subject to applicable English-language evidence or assessment arrangements.

Q.3 Do I need previous trade experience?

Entry requirements vary depending on the course and training provider. Some trade courses are designed for students without prior industry experience, while others may have specific prerequisites or suitability requirements. Always check the entry requirements for the course you are considering.

Q.4 What is the difference between an LLN score of 3 and 4?

An LLN score reflects a student’s skills in areas such as learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy. A higher score generally indicates that a course requires a stronger level of foundation skills. The required LLN score can vary depending on the course and its learning and assessment demands.