Certificate III in Business
One qualification, three career directions. Whether you're keeping an office running smoothly, handling customers like a superstar, or blending business skills with hospitality expertise, this is the course that gets you there.
Three paths through the same qualification
The Certificate III in Business (BSB30120) is the standard entry-level business qualification, recognised right across Australia. It teaches you the foundations of business: communication, teamwork, workplace safety, and how to bring a bit of critical thinking to the working day. It's the qualification employers look for when they're hiring for office, administration, and customer-facing roles.
What makes our version different: instead of locking you into one generic course, we run three different stream specialisations. The 6 core units stay the same. So do 3 of the 7 electives. The remaining 4 electives change per stream, so you can tailor the course to the kind of role you actually want. Heading into office work? Pick the Administration stream. Working with customers in retail or a call centre? Customer Engagement. Combining business skills with hospitality? Hospitality.
You'll complete 13 nationally recognised units total. Every stream sets you up for entry-level business roles immediately, and pathways straight into Cert IV Business, Cert IV Leadership and Management, or the Diploma of Business afterwards.
Three different specialisations, one Cert III
Pick the stream that matches the kind of role you're aiming at. Click any stream to see its 7 elective units and total nominal hours. Not sure yet? You can change your mind right up until enrolment.
13 nationally recognised units
Every student completes the same 6 core units and 3 shared electives. Then 4 stream-specific electives finish the qualification. Total 13 units for a full Cert III in Business.
Elective Units (7 per stream)
Packaging rules: 2 electives from Group A, 1 from Group B, and 4 from the specialisation group (D for Customer Engagement and Hospitality, E for Administration). 3 electives (BSBTEC301, BSBWRT311, BSBPEF301) are shared across every stream.
Administration Stream
Master office operations, financial transactions, records management, and organising the workday like a pro. 4 specialisation electives from Group E for anyone heading into admin, reception, or business support roles.
Customer Engagement Stream
Nail the skills that make customers come back. Service delivery, complaint handling, difficult customer management, and marketing support. 4 specialisation electives from Group D for retail, call centre, and customer-facing roles.
Hospitality Stream
Blend business skills with hospitality expertise. Includes the two units required for your Food Safety Supervisor Certificate, plus espresso coffee. Perfect for cafe supervisors, venue admin, and anyone straddling both worlds.
All units at a glance
Full unit pool across the 3 streams. Ticks show which stream each unit appears in. The 6 cores and 3 shared electives (top of the table) are the same for everyone; the 4 stream-specific electives are what change per specialisation.
| Unit Code | Unit Name | Admin | Customer | Hospitality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Units (all streams) | ||||
| BSBCRT311 | Apply critical thinking skills in a team environment | |||
| BSBPEF201 | Support personal wellbeing in the workplace | |||
| BSBSUS211 | Participate in sustainable work practices | |||
| BSBTWK301 | Use inclusive work practices | |||
| BSBWHS311 | Assist with maintaining workplace safety | |||
| BSBXCM301 | Engage in workplace communication | |||
| Shared Electives (all streams) | ||||
| BSBTEC301 | Design and produce business documents | |||
| BSBWRT311 | Write simple documents | |||
| BSBPEF301 | Organise personal work priorities | |||
| Specialisation Electives | ||||
| BSBFIN301 | Process financial transactions | |||
| BSBFIN302 | Maintain financial records | |||
| BSBOPS301 | Maintain business resources | |||
| BSBOPS303 | Organise schedules | |||
| BSBOPS304 | Deliver and monitor a service to customers | |||
| BSBOPS305 | Process customer complaints | |||
| SIRXCEG002 | Assist with customer difficulties | |||
| SIRXMKT001 | Support marketing and promotional activities | |||
| SITXFSA005 | Use hygienic practices for food safety | |||
| SITXFSA006 | Participate in safe food handling practices | |||
| SITHFAB025 | Prepare and serve espresso coffee | |||
How you'll study
Delivery, duration, entry requirements, assessment, and work placement at a glance.
Delivery Mode
Training is delivered online through self-paced learning, supported by trainer guidance and regular contact.
Training Location
Study from anywhere in Australia with an internet connection and a suitable computer or device.
Course Duration
Course duration varies depending on your study pathway, previous experience and individual progress.
Attendance
There are no scheduled classroom attendance requirements; however, students are expected to actively participate and progress through their training.
Practical Training
You'll apply your learning through practical business tasks, projects and workplace-based activities where applicable.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements. Students must complete a pre-enrolment LLN assessment and have the language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills, along with access to a computer and reliable internet connection, to participate in training and assessment.
Assessment
Assessment includes written questions, practical business tasks, projects, case studies and workplace evidence where applicable. RPL and Credit Transfer are available for eligible students.
Work Placement
Work placement is not required for this qualification. However, students who are currently employed may complete some assessment activities within their workplace where appropriate.
Where this qualification takes you
Graduates of this course will receive the nationally recognised BSB30120 - Certificate III in Business, preparing them for a wide range of administrative and business support roles across almost every industry. Career opportunities include:
Receptionist
Be the face and voice of a business, managing front desk operations, answering calls, greeting visitors, and providing essential customer service.
Accounts Clerk
Dive into the world of finance by helping manage accounts payable and receivable, processing invoices, and maintaining financial records.
Data Entry Operator
Specialise in accurately inputting and managing data for organisations, ensuring records are up-to-date and easily accessible.
Administrative Assistant
Handle day-to-day office tasks such as scheduling, correspondence, and data entry, becoming the go-to person for keeping the office running smoothly.
Customer Service Officer
Assist customers with inquiries, process orders, and provide product or service information, ensuring a positive customer experience.
Cafe Manager
Oversee daily operations, manage staff, and ensure excellent customer service, food safety, and quality barista skills in a busy cafe.
Take your career to the next level
Use your Certificate III in Business as a stepping stone to higher education. Graduates are eligible to enrol in any of these next-level VET qualifications.
Pick the path that suits how you actually work
We deliver Cert III Business in three flexible formats. All lead to the same nationally recognised qualification.
Four ways to fund your Cert III in Business
Whether you're an apprentice or trainee, a school student, or paying privately, there's a funding pathway that works for you. Final amounts depend on your chosen stream and concession status; we'll confirm the exact figures during your enrolment call.
Career Start Apprenticeship / Traineeship
Available if you're employed as a business apprentice or trainee. Charged at the unit-of-competency hourly rate. Apprenticeship/Traineeship Training Contract required.
Career Start General Training
For direct enrolment without a training contract. Charged per unit of competency. The cheapest non-apprenticeship option.
School-Based Traineeship
For high school students still enrolled at school. Combine your final school years with paid business work and a nationally recognised qualification.
QLD School-Based TraineeshipsFee for Service
If you're not eligible for government funding, pay the full course fee directly. Same nationally recognised outcome. Payment plans available.
Career Start Apprenticeship / Traineeship totals by stream
Apprenticeship and Traineeship pricing is charged per nominal hour, so your total student contribution depends on which stream you choose. The other three funding pathways (General Training, School-Based, Fee for Service) are the same total regardless of stream.
| Stream | Nominal Hours | Non-concessional ($1.60/hr) | Concessional ($1.12/hr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administration | 465 hrs | $744.00 | $520.80 |
| Customer Engagement | 525 hrs | $840.00 | $588.00 |
| Hospitality | 480 hrs | $768.00 | $537.60 |
Payment plan structure
If your course is over $1,500, we make payment manageable with a $1,500 deposit at enrolment, followed by a simple payment plan via Ezidebit direct debit.
Important course documents
Read the official ABHT fee schedule and refund policy before enrolling.
From form to first day: how it works
No mystery, no surprises. Here's exactly what happens after you register your interest.
Register your interest
Fill in our expression of interest form, or call (07) 3117 9722 if you'd rather chat.
Eligibility check
We'll check whether you're eligible for government-funded training and help you pick the right stream specialisation.
Enrolment call
We'll discuss your training plan, confirm course costs, and arrange your deposit and payment plan.
Enrolment Induction
Attend an enrolment induction where we'll guide you through the enrolment process, answer your questions, and get you ready to start.
Let's get you started
Register your interest now and we'll be in touch within 1–2 business days.
Register Your Interest NowThe businesses we work with
The Surf Club Mooloolaba
Beach House
Aussie World
Beach Bar
Coolum Beach Bar
Cotton Tree Beach Bar
Meals on Wheels Queensland
Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club
Kings Beach Bar
Maroochy RSL
The Dock at the Wharf
Sandstone Point Hotel
Psari Restaurant
Spicers Tamarind Retreat
See Restaurant
The Creek
Spicers Clovelly EstateCommon questions
If you're wondering about something else, just ring or message us. We answer real questions from real humans.
Pick the stream that matches the venue you want to work in. Cocktail bars and clubs? Bar & Mixology. Restaurants with table service? Dining Service. Working in a busy kitchen? Kitchen Operations. Cafes and coffee shops? Cafe. Hotels and resorts? Resort & Motel. Pubs and bistros? Bistro. Still not sure? Give us a call and we'll help you figure it out based on your goals and any current employment.
The 6 core units are the same across every stream, so you can switch streams during your enrolment without losing progress on those. The 9 elective units do change, so any electives you've started for one stream may not carry across. Talk to us early if you're thinking about a switch and we'll work out the best path forward.
No formal entry requirements. You'll need to be able to study in English and complete a workplace component during the course, so access to a business or office environment at some point is needed. If you're already working in one, that's perfect. If not, we can help connect you with employer partners through our Career Connections network.
It depends on which funding pathway you qualify for. School-Based Traineeships are completely free. Career Start General Training is $13 (or $9.10 concessional). Career Start Apprenticeship/Traineeship is charged at $1.60 per nominal hour, so the total varies by stream: Admin works out to $744, Customer Engagement to $840, and Hospitality to $768 (concessional rates are 70 percent of these). If none of those apply, Fee for Service is $2,950 with a $1,500 deposit and Ezidebit payment plan. We'll work out the exact figure for your situation during your enrolment call.
Cert III in Business is the foundation qualification employers look for in entry-level office and customer-facing roles. Common positions include administrative assistant, receptionist, accounts clerk, data entry operator, customer service officer, and cafe manager. Your specific stream specialisation will lean you toward some more than others (the Admin stream is great for accounts and PA work, Customer Engagement is great for sales and call centre roles, Hospitality opens up venue admin and front-of-house management).
Yes. The Hospitality stream includes both SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety and SITXFSA006 Participate in safe food handling practices. These are the two units required for your Food Safety Supervisor Certificate in most Australian states and territories. You'll also pick up barista skills via SITHFAB025 Prepare and serve espresso coffee, making it a strong choice for anyone heading into cafe supervision, venue admin, or any hospitality role where you need both business skills and formal food safety competencies.
The standard duration is 12 months. Most students complete in that timeframe while working in industry. The pace is flexible: study faster if you can, take a bit longer if you need to. Just let your trainer know what fits your schedule.
Both. Our training is delivered nationally via our online platform, and we also deliver face-to-face in workplaces across Metro and SE QLD. Many students do a combination of online learning and in-person workplace assessment. The qualification is the same either way.
Ready to enrol?
Pick your stream, register your interest, and our team will be in touch within 1–2 business days. Or skip the form and just pick up the phone, we'd love to hear from you.