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MST31022 Certificate III in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles

National ID
MST31022
WA Course Code
BIY7
CRICOS code
114748H
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Why choose this course?

Step into the exciting world of fashion with a course designed for new designers and garment makers. This intensive foundation programme helps you build strong technical skills and creative thinking. You will learn everything you need to succeed in today’s global fashion industry.

From your first stitch to your final garment, you will develop expert skills in making clothes. Train in a studio-simulated classroom using professional equipment, including embroidery and stretch specific machines.

Turn fabric into fashion. Learn how to balance creativity and technical skill to design clothing that is both beautiful and wearable. You will explore textile materials and learn how to bring your ideas to life through hands-on practice.

Discover how fashion works from start to finish — from raw fibre to finished garment. Study textile technology, patternmaking, cutting, and writing specifications. You will also learn how to include sustainable practices in every step of the process.

With strong creative and technical skills, you will be ready to enter the fashion industry with confidence. This course prepares you for many exciting career paths in fashion around the world.

Career opportunities

  • Alterations Technician
  • Assistant Patternmaker
  • Design Assistant
  • Production Machinist

When choosing a course, it's important to think about the key skills and knowledge you'll need, as well as how you'll be assessed. Take a look at this information and consider if you might face any challenges in meeting the course expectations and requirements.

  • ability to follow workplace safety standards
  • an eye for detail
  • good hand-eye coordination
  • effective time management

  • An IELTS score (academic) of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.0 or equivalent.

  • Completion of the equivalent of Australian Year 10.

Your study options

Semester 1, 2026

Duration | 1 semester
When | Semester 1, 2026
Where | South Metropolitan TAFE (52787)
How | On campus and simulated work environment, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $6,570
  • Resources fee: $450
  • Materials fee: $500

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course, however you will train in a simulated work environment over a specified period of time to practice key skills within a range of different work environments.

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 18 units. These 18 are comprised of 6 core units and 12 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • MSMWHS200 Work safely
  • MSS402055 Apply quality standards
  • MSTAT2005 Sew materials by machine
  • MSTGN2023 Identify and handle fabrics and textiles
  • MSTGN3018 Support sustainable practice in apparel and textile design and production
  • MSTGN3019 Interact with others in an apparel and textile design and production environment
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • MSTAT2001 Prepare and communicate design concepts for simple textile products
  • MSTAT2003 Modify patterns
  • MSTAT3002 Develop patterns using basic patternmaking principles
  • MSTAT3003 Lay up and cut complicated fabrics and lays
  • MSTAT3007 Sew stretch knit garments
  • MSTAT3008 Embellish textile products
  • MSTAT3009 Set and produce digital embroidery
  • MSTAT3010 Perform garment repairs and alterations
  • MSTAT4015 Determine and perform advanced garment repairs and alterations
  • MSTGN2014 Operate computing technology in a TCF workplace
  • MSTGN2018 Work in the TCF industry
  • MSTTX3014 Set up, adjust and maintain industrial sewing machines

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include written questions, practical demonstration of skills including construction of garments, components, patterns and artwork, practical assessments in simulated work environments, projects, assignments aligned to ‘live work’ activities, and preparing reports. 

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course. 

Learning resources may include access to a simulated garment production environment, Blackboard, activity sheets, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, library, subscription to WGSN international forecasting resource, Adobe suite and design lines retail shop which exposes you to various materials and notions. 

Facilities may include access to purpose built simulated work environments including pattern making and production room, cutting room, pattern making studio, textile room, textile hub, design studio, CAD and technology studios, and manufacturing studios with machinery positioned in a simulated factory arrangement. Equipment in the simulated work environments may include purpose-specific tables for design and illustration, patternmaking, cutting and printing, laying up and cutting machines such as a straight knife cutter and a rotary knife, industrial machines including lock-stitch flat-bed, over-locker and button sewer, domestic sewing machines, pattern making equipment, industrial pressing equipment, computers and laptops, screenprint screens, dye baths, textile looms, and CAD Gerber digitising tables and plotter and card pattern cutter bed, laser cutter, embroidery machine and digital print machine.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

Semester 1, 2027

Duration | 1 semester
When | Semester 1, 2027
Where | South Metropolitan TAFE (52787)
How | On campus and simulated work environment, to a minimum of 20 contact hours per week
Fees (total indicative for course)
  • Tuition fee: $6,570
  • Resources fee: $450
  • Materials fee: $500

Tuition fees are reviewed annually. If tuition fees are increased, you will be required to pay the new fees as they are introduced. You will be provided with an indicative schedule of fees in your Letter of Offer.

Resource fees are for consumables you use in your course e.g. paint, internet etc. You pay this fee to your college at enrolment. If your course goes longer than one semester, the resource fee may not need to be paid in one amount but may be spaced out over the duration of your course. Your college will advise you of the payment amount each semester.

Material fees are for items that remain your property after the course has been completed e.g. personal protective equipment, tools, text books etc.

Work placement

There is no work placement requirement for this course, however you will train in a simulated work environment over a specified period of time to practice key skills within a range of different work environments.

To achieve this qualification, students must demonstrate competency in 18 units. These 18 are comprised of 6 core units and 12 elective units. Elective units listed below have been selected in consultation with industry.

Students who enrol into this qualification will be eligible for credit transfer of the units that they have already achieved. Fees paid by international students are set on a commercial basis and are paid as a whole of course fee - no refund will apply to credit transfers. Please refer to your letter of Offer for detailed duration and costings for your enrolment.

Core units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • MSMWHS200 Work safely
  • MSS402055 Apply quality standards
  • MSTAT2005 Sew materials by machine
  • MSTGN2023 Identify and handle fabrics and textiles
  • MSTGN3018 Support sustainable practice in apparel and textile design and production
  • MSTGN3019 Interact with others in an apparel and textile design and production environment
Elective units
    National ID
    Unit title
  • MSTAT2001 Prepare and communicate design concepts for simple textile products
  • MSTAT2003 Modify patterns
  • MSTAT3002 Develop patterns using basic patternmaking principles
  • MSTAT3003 Lay up and cut complicated fabrics and lays
  • MSTAT3007 Sew stretch knit garments
  • MSTAT3008 Embellish textile products
  • MSTAT3009 Set and produce digital embroidery
  • MSTAT3010 Perform garment repairs and alterations
  • MSTAT4015 Determine and perform advanced garment repairs and alterations
  • MSTGN2014 Operate computing technology in a TCF workplace
  • MSTGN2018 Work in the TCF industry
  • MSTTX3014 Set up, adjust and maintain industrial sewing machines

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment used in this course include written questions, practical demonstration of skills including construction of garments, components, patterns and artwork, practical assessments in simulated work environments, projects, assignments aligned to ‘live work’ activities, and preparing reports. 

These assessment strategies and evidence gathering are in accordance with the relevant training package or accreditation guidelines. Detailed Information is available in the assessment matrix, learning plans and assessment tools for each of the units of competency.

Learning resources, facilities and equipment

The following learning resources, facilities and equipment are available at each campus so that you can achieve the skill and knowledge requirements of this course. 

Learning resources may include access to a simulated garment production environment, Blackboard, activity sheets, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, library, subscription to WGSN international forecasting resource, Adobe suite and design lines retail shop which exposes you to various materials and notions. 

Facilities may include access to purpose built simulated work environments including pattern making and production room, cutting room, pattern making studio, textile room, textile hub, design studio, CAD and technology studios, and manufacturing studios with machinery positioned in a simulated factory arrangement. Equipment in the simulated work environments may include purpose-specific tables for design and illustration, patternmaking, cutting and printing, laying up and cutting machines such as a straight knife cutter and a rotary knife, industrial machines including lock-stitch flat-bed, over-locker and button sewer, domestic sewing machines, pattern making equipment, industrial pressing equipment, computers and laptops, screenprint screens, dye baths, textile looms, and CAD Gerber digitising tables and plotter and card pattern cutter bed, laser cutter, embroidery machine and digital print machine.

Key dates

Semester and holiday dates are included in your Letter of Offer. View upcoming semester start and end dates.

There may be further semester intakes available for enrolment. You can view any further intakes when you submit your online application(opens in a new tab).

For information about pathways from TAFE to university, view our Pathways to university page.

How to apply

Apply to study at TAFE in six steps:

  1. find a course;
  2. check entry requirements;
  3. submit an application;
  4. accept your offer and pay;
  5. apply for your student visa; and
  6. receive your visa and come to Australia for your studies.

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TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) provider, for the delivery of training to international students, enrolled in a TAFE course in Western Australia. This nationally recognised course is delivered by a Western Australian TAFE college on TIWA's behalf. TIWA retains responsibility for the quality of the training and assessment delivered by the TAFE colleges and for the issue of certification documentation to students.

Last updated on November 25, 2025