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ICP31220 Certificate III in Printing

ICP31220 is the nationally recognised Certificate III in Printing. It prepares you for work as a printing machinist. It has been the current version on the national register since 2020, when it replaced ICP31215. Employers posted about 27 printing machinist jobs in June 2026, down 24.5% on a year earlier.

Often searched as Cert 3 in Printing · Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au
Online job ads · June 2026
27last month
Printing machinist roles advertised across Australia
Down on a year earlier
Long-term outlook
Weak
Zero structural signals up; current job ads down
Register status
Current
Replaced ICP31215 in 2020
Enrolments
Steady
Down 3.4% in a year
Funding status
Verification pending
Checked against official state program lists
The short answer

The independent signals behind the Certificate III in Printing are weak right now. Job ads in June 2026 were down 24.5% on a year earlier and the official shortage list does not rate its occupations in shortage. Weigh both sides.

Jobs and Skills Australia

Is the work there?

Employers are posting fewer printing machinist jobs than a year ago. About 27 printing machinist jobs were advertised online in June 2026, down 24.5% on a year earlier. Over the last 12 months there were about 400 job ads, while 430 people were training in the qualification nationally (2025). Ads show the market. Enrolments show the pipeline. Neither is a job promise.

Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index · latest month June 2026 · ANZSCO 3923
27
Combined monthly online job ads across Printing MacHinist, to June 2026

Official shortage list

Australia's official shortage list rates printing machinists and small offset printers as not in shortage. The 2025 Occupation Shortage List rates Printing Machinist and Small Offset Printer as not in shortage.

Jobs and Skills Australia, Occupation Shortage List · 2025 assessment

Ten year outlook

Printing machinist jobs are projected to stay about flat. Jobs and Skills Australia projections put these occupations at 10,868 workers in May 2025, 10,819 by May 2030 (down 0.5%) and 11,407 by May 2035 (up 5%).

10,868
workers, May 2025
10,819
workers, May 2030
11,407
workers, May 2035
Jobs and Skills Australia employment projections · May 2025 to May 2035
Occupation mapping by Get Course, shown with ANZSCO codes so it can be checked.
NCVER Total VET Activity

Who is training

Enrolments in the Certificate III in Printing are steady. Across Australia, 445 people enrolled in 2024. In 2025 it was 430, down 3.4% in a year. National data for ICP31220 starts in 2020.

NCVER Total VET Activity · 2025 collection
training.gov.au · Australian Qualifications Framework

What does studying it involve?

The register and the national framework set some of this. Providers set the rest.

How long it takes
A Certificate III is typically 1 to 2 years of full-time study under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Providers set the exact length and pace.
Delivery
Providers set the delivery mode.
Credit for experience
Recognition of prior learning applies to ICP31220 like any qualification on the national register: an approved provider assesses your evidence against each unit.
training.gov.au national register; Australian Qualifications Framework.
State subsidised training lists

What does it cost, and who funds it?

State funding for ICP31220 is being verified against official program lists.

Eligibility and student contributions vary by program and provider. The official state listing is the source of truth. In a subsidised place the government pays most of the tuition and you pay a co-contribution set by the program and provider.

Official state subsidised training program lists, verified per state. Full-fee prices will appear here as partner courses are listed.
training.gov.au · unit packaging

What is in the qualification

The register lists 5 core units for the Certificate III in Printing, plus 141 elective options. Prerequisites apply to Nine of them, marked below.

  • BSBSUS201Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
  • ICPKNW3220Develop and apply knowledge of the printing and graphic arts industry
  • ICPSUP2160Inspect quality against required standards in a production environment
  • ICPSUP2600Maintain a safe work environment
  • ICPSUP2620Communicate in the workplace
View the 141 elective options
  • BSBCUS301Deliver and monitor a service to customers
  • BSBIPR401Use and respect copyright
  • BSBITU306Design and produce business documents
  • BSBSMB301Investigate micro business opportunities
  • BSBSMB402Plan small business finances
  • BSBSMB403Market the small business
  • ICPCBF220Produce basic converted or finished product
  • ICPCBF2210Set up and produce basic guillotined product
  • ICPCBF2250Set up machine for basic flat-bed die cutting or embossing
  • ICPCBF2260Produce basic flat-bed die cut or embossed product
  • ICPCBF228Produce basic rotary die cut or embossed product
  • ICPCBF2310Set up machine for basic flat-bed cutting
  • ICPCBF2320Produce basic flat-bed cut product
  • ICPCBF2410Set up machine for basic folding
  • ICPCBF2420Produce basic folded product
  • ICPCBF2430Set up machine for basic collating or inserting (sheet/section)
  • ICPCBF2440Produce basic collated or inserted (sheet/section) product
  • ICPCBF2810Set up machine for basic laminating
  • ICPCBF2820Produce basic laminated product
  • ICPCBF3270Set up machine for complex rotary die cutting or embossing
  • ICPCBF3280Produce complex rotary die cut or embossed product
  • ICPCBF3410Set up machine for complex sequenced or multiple folding
  • ICPCBF3810Set up machine for complex laminating
  • ICPCBF3820Produce complex laminated product
  • ICPPRN2110Mount and proof flexographic plates for basic printing
  • ICPPRN2140Produce basic flexographic printed product
  • ICPPRN2220Produce basic gravure printed product
  • ICPPRN2320Produce basic lithographic printed product
  • ICPPRN2420Produce basic pad printed product
  • ICPPRN2610Set up for foil stamping
  • ICPPRN262Produce foil stamped product
  • ICPPRN271Set up for basic coating
  • ICPPRN272Produce basic coated product
  • ICPPRN2820Produce and manage basic digital print
  • ICPPRN284Use colour management systems
  • ICPPRN2850Use digital workflow
  • ICPPRN2880Produce basic relief printed product
  • ICPPRN3130Set up for basic flexographic printing
  • ICPPRN3140Produce complex flexographic printed product
  • ICPPRN3210Set up for basic gravure printing
  • ICPPRN3220Produce complex gravure printed product
  • ICPPRN3310Set up for basic lithographic printing
  • ICPPRN3320Produce complex lithographic printed product
  • ICPPRN3410Set up for basic pad printing
  • ICPPRN3420Produce complex pad printed product
  • ICPPRN3820Produce and manage complex digital print
  • ICPPRN3830Prepare for personalised digital printing
  • ICPPRN3840Set up and produce basic digital print
  • ICPPRN3850Apply software applications to digital production (has prerequisites)
  • ICPPRN3860Troubleshoot digital media
  • ICPPRN3870Use colour management for production (has prerequisites)
  • ICPPRN3880Preflight and import complex images for digital devices
  • ICPPRN3890Manage digital files
  • ICPPRN3900Generate proofs for digital production
  • ICPPRN3920Set up and produce specialised digital print
  • ICPPRN3930Set up for basic relief printing
  • ICPPRN3940Produce complex relief printed product
  • ICPPRN4110Mount and demount flexographic plates for complex printing
  • ICPPRN4130Set up for complex flexographic printing
  • ICPPRN4210Set up for complex gravure printing
  • ICPPRN4310Set up for complex lithographic printing
  • ICPPRN4410Set up for complex pad printing
  • ICPPRN4510Set up for complex relief printing
  • ICPPRN4840Prepare for variable data printing
  • ICPPRN4940Apply advanced software applications to digital production (has prerequisites)
  • ICPPRN4950Set up and use complex colour management for production (has prerequisites)
  • ICPPRN4960Set up and produce complex digital print (has prerequisites)
  • ICPPRN4970Work with digital information
  • ICPPRP2110Develop basic design concepts
  • ICPPRP2210Select and apply type
  • ICPPRP224Produce pages using a page layout application
  • ICPPRP2320Electronically combine and assemble data for page layouts
  • ICPPRP2520Output images
  • ICPPRP2670Produce offset lithographic plates
  • ICPPRP2680Produce flexographic photopolymer plates
  • ICPPRP2840Produce PDF files for online and screen display
  • ICPPRP2860Scan images for reproduction
  • ICPPRP2970Transfer digital files
  • ICPPRP3110Develop detailed design concepts (has prerequisites)
  • ICPPRP3210Produce typographic images (has prerequisites)
  • ICPPRP3220Digitise images for reproduction
  • ICPPRP3340Prepare imposition format for printing processes
  • ICPPRP3820Produce computer images for screen printing
  • ICPPRP3850Operate databases for digital printing
  • ICPPRP3960Generate high-end PDF files (has prerequisites)
  • ICPPRP422Digitise complex images for reproduction
  • ICPPRP4300Manage colour
  • ICPPRP4840Set up and operate automated workflow
  • ICPPTD301Manipulate 3D files in preparation for 3D printing
  • ICPPTD302Set up and produce 3D prints
  • ICPPTD303Set up and produce 3D scans
  • ICPPTD304Apply problem solving techniques to 3D printing maintenance and operation
  • ICPSCP2150Prepare screen
  • ICPSCP2210Prepare substrate
  • ICPSCP2330Manually prepare direct emulsion stencil
  • ICPSCP2700Manually prepare and produce screen prints
  • ICPSCP2710Manually produce basic screen prints
  • ICPSCP2730Semi-automatically produce basic screen prints
  • ICPSCP2750Automatically produce basic screen prints
  • ICPSCP2810Finish screen print products
  • ICPSCP2820Prepare film for basic screen printing
  • ICPSCP3110Reclaim screen manually
  • ICPSCP339Prepare stencil using direct projection method
  • ICPSCP3510Prepare machine and drying/curing unit
  • ICPSCP3710Manually produce complex screen prints
  • ICPSCP3730Semi-automatically produce complex screen prints
  • ICPSCP374Operate a semi-automatic screen printing machine
  • ICPSCP3760Operate an automatic screen printing machine
  • ICPSCP382Produce computer image for screen printing
  • ICPSCP3830Prepare film for complex screen printing
  • ICPSUP2010Prepare, load and unload reels and cores on and off machine
  • ICPSUP2020Prepare, load and unload product on and off machine
  • ICPSUP2030Prepare and maintain the work area
  • ICPSUP2070Prepare machine for operation (basic)
  • ICPSUP2080Operate and monitor machines (basic)
  • ICPSUP2110Prepare inks and additives
  • ICPSUP2210Pack and dispatch product
  • ICPSUP2360Lift and shift loads mechanically
  • ICPSUP2410Undertake warehouse materials processing
  • ICPSUP2630Perform basic industry calculations
  • ICPSUP271Provide basic instruction for a task
  • ICPSUP2810Use computer systems in the printing and graphic arts sectors
  • ICPSUP2820Undertake basic machine maintenance
  • ICPSUP311Prepare ink and additives (advanced) (has prerequisites)
  • ICPSUP3210Pack and dispatch (advanced)
  • ICPSUP3230Dispose of waste
  • ICPSUP3420Undertake inventory procedures
  • ICPSUP351Undertake basic production scheduling
  • ICPSUP352Plan operational processes
  • ICPSUP3570Apply quick changeover procedures
  • ICTWEB429Create a markup language document to specification
  • MSMPMC326Deliver customer service
  • MSMSUP390Use structured problem-solving tools
  • MSS402001Apply competitive systems and practices
  • MSS402002Sustain process improvements
  • MSS402010Manage the impact of change on own work
  • MSS402040Apply 5S procedures
  • MSS402080Undertake root cause analysis
  • MSS402082Apply cost factors to work practices
  • SIRXPDK001Advise on products and services
  • SIRXSLS001Sell to the retail customer
training.gov.au national register, ICP31220 release 2
Where to study

Where can I study ICP31220?

No Get Course partner currently lists this qualification. Check the national register for organisations approved to deliver it, and remember that approval to deliver is a regulatory fact, not a recommendation. You can browse live courses from our partners and enquire today.

Browse courses
How we calculate these figures

Get Course maps ICP31220 to its occupations using the register’s own outcome wording, shown with ANZSCO codes (here, 3923) so the mapping can be checked. Job advertisement counts come from the Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index and count online ads, not vacancies filled. Enrolment counts come from NCVER Total VET Activity and count people in training, not completions. Funding rows appear only after verification against the official state program list. Source vintages: employment projections May 2025 to May 2035 release; Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index latest month June 2026; NCVER Total VET Activity 2025 collection; Occupation Shortage List 2025 assessment; register training.gov.au, synced 15 September 2026; register synced 18 Sept 2026. Page last updated 19 Sept 2026.

About this page. Every number on this page shows its source and date. Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au. Compiled by Get Course from public data sources. It is not provided or endorsed by any training organisation, and nothing here is advice about your individual situation. Statistics describe groups; your result depends on you. If you represent a training organisation and want to correct or add to this page, contact hello@getcourse.com.au.