Key Takeaways:
- CPC training continues to attract substantial enrolments, even when participation across the wider VET sector declines.
- Carpentry and plumbing recorded the highest enrolment volumes among the qualifications listed, while entry-level and building and construction qualifications also featured prominently.
- International enrolments contribute significantly to CPC growth, making it important to assess demand across different learner markets.
- Expanding CPC delivery requires more than evidence of learner interest. RTOs must assess trainer and assessor capability, facilities, equipment and practical training and assessment requirements.
- Reviewing current qualification requirements and CPC training resources helps RTOs prepare for future intakes and manage training product transitions.
The CPC training package grew in 2025 while the wider VET sector recorded declining enrolments. For RTOs delivering construction training, this makes CPC worth examining more closely, particularly which qualifications are attracting learners and where demand is gaining momentum.
However, high enrolment volumes don’t always indicate the strongest growth opportunities. This article examines the CPC qualifications attracting the most learners, identifies key enrolment trends across different construction pathways and explores what these findings mean for RTOs planning future course delivery.
How CPC Enrolments Compared with the Wider VET Sector
According to NCVER’s 2025 report on total VET students and courses, overall VET qualification enrolments declined by 5.9% in 2025.
In contrast, CPC training recorded an increase of approximately 12,950 enrolments. The longer-term figures provide additional context. CPC enrolments increased by 20.5% between 2019 and 2025, although growth fluctuated across individual years.
| Year | Total VET Enrolments | CPC Qualification Enrolments | CPC Share of Total Enrolments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2,725,865 | 163,420 | 6.00% |
| 2020 | 2,644,215 | 157,760 | 5.97% |
| 2021 | 2,787,710 | 179,550 | 6.44% |
| 2022 | 2,763,805 | 191,085 | 6.91% |
| 2023 | 2,926,410 | 175,330 | 5.99% |
| 2024 | 2,959,260 | 184,005 | 6.22% |
| 2025 | 2,804,190 | 196,955 | 7.02% |
While total VET program enrolments declined by approximately 5.2% between 2024 and 2025, CPC reached its highest enrolment total in the period shown. The 15.0% increase in completions adds another positive indicator, although completion counts shouldn’t be confused with qualification completion rates.
Most Popular CPC Qualifications by 2025 Enrolments
The following qualifications accounted for approximately two-thirds of all CPC qualification enrolments in 2025.
| Qualification Code | Qualification Name | 2025 Enrolments |
|---|---|---|
| CPC30220 | Certificate III in Carpentry | 54,610 |
| CPC32420 | Certificate III in Plumbing | 21,395 |
| CPC40120 | Certificate IV in Building and Construction | 19,855 |
| CPC20220 | Certificate II in Construction Pathways | 19,710 |
| CPC10120 | Certificate I in Construction | 17,955 |
Source: NCVER 2025 Data Builder. Qualification codes reflect products recorded in 2025.
Carpentry and plumbing remain the biggest draws, but growing interest in Construction Pathways and Building and Construction shows that demand extends beyond traditional trade qualifications. For RTOs, this creates opportunities to explore entry-level courses and building management training, depending on local learner demand and existing delivery capabilities.
What These Qualifications Reveal About Learner Demand
Trade Qualifications Remain Central to CPC Enrolments
Carpentry and plumbing continue to attract substantial enrolment activity, reflecting established CPC training pathways for learners pursuing trade qualifications.
For RTOs, however, high demand must be considered alongside delivery requirements. Trade qualifications generally involve significant practical training and assessment, making the following particularly important:
- Trainer and Assessor Capacity: Maintaining appropriately qualified staff with current industry skills
- Facilities and Equipment: Providing access to the tools, materials and environments required for training and assessment
- Workplace Arrangements: Coordinating practical learning opportunities and workplace-based assessment where required
These requirements can substantially influence the viability of adding a trade qualification, even where learner demand appears strong.
Entry-Level and Building Management Courses Offer Different Opportunities
The popularity of foundation-level qualifications and Certificate IV training shows that CPC enrolments extend beyond traditional trade apprenticeships.
These qualifications serve different audiences and require different delivery approaches:
- Entry-level Construction Qualifications: Can support school-based VET, pre-apprenticeship training and learners exploring career pathways before entering a trade
- Building and Construction Management Qualifications: Can serve learners developing skills in project coordination, construction supervision and building operations
For RTOs with existing training facilities or relevant industry relationships, these pathways may be worth investigating. However, suitability depends on the qualification requirements, local competition and the learner groups a provider can effectively serve.
What’s Contributing to CPC Training Growth?
An important part of the 2025 growth came from international enrolments. NCVER reported a 64.7% increase in international fee-for-service CPC qualification enrolments, accounting for most of the package’s overall net growth.
This distinction matters because national construction training demand doesn’t necessarily reflect conditions in every local market. RTOs should distinguish between three potential learner markets when interpreting the figures:
- Domestic Apprenticeships: Demand depends on employer participation, training arrangements and the availability of suitable apprenticeship opportunities.
- VET in Schools and Pre-apprenticeship Pathways: Enrolments may be influenced by school partnerships, state funding arrangements and interest in construction careers.
- International Fee-for-service Training: Opportunities depend on CRICOS approval, relevant regulatory requirements, student recruitment conditions and delivery capacity.
Understanding the learner mix helps prevent RTOs from treating national growth as evidence that every CPC qualification will attract strong enrolments in their operating area.
What Should RTOs Consider Before Expanding CPC Training?
Enrolment trends can help identify qualifications worth investigating, but course expansion still requires a practical assessment of resources, costs and operational capacity.
Before committing to a new qualification, RTOs should:
- Validate local demand. Compare national CPC trends with employer requirements, regional construction activity and competing training providers.
- Confirm training product currency. Check the qualification’s current status, packaging rules and scope requirements on training.gov.au.
- Assess delivery capacity. Review trainer availability, equipment, facilities and arrangements for assessing practical construction work.
- Review training materials: Confirm existing CPC training resources and assessment tools address current requirements and can be adapted to the intended cohort.
- Prepare for learner needs: Ensure CPC learning resources, schedules and support arrangements suit the qualification level and delivery mode.
Under the Standards for RTOs, training providers must observe the applicable one-year restriction on new enrolments in superseded products and arrange for continuing learners to complete or transfer in a timely manner. Existing CPC RTO resources should therefore be reviewed against the replacement qualification requirements before future intakes are scheduled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPC training in Australia?
CPC training covers nationally recognised qualifications in building, construction, plumbing and related services. It includes entry-level courses, trade qualifications and building management programs.
What is the difference between CPC Certificate II and Certificate III qualifications?
Certificate II qualifications generally develop foundational construction skills, while Certificate III qualifications focus on specialised trade competencies, often through apprenticeships.
Can experienced construction workers obtain a CPC qualification through RPL?
Yes. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows experienced workers to have their existing skills assessed against qualification requirements. Additional training may be needed to address competency gaps.
What should RTOs look for when choosing CPC training resources?
CPC RTO training resources should address current unit requirements, support practical assessments and provide clear learning content. Editable CPC learning resources also allow RTOs to adapt materials to their delivery needs.
When should RTOs update their CPC training resources?
RTOs should review their CPC training resources when qualifications or units change, particularly following training product updates or supersession. This helps ensure materials reflect current requirements.
Preparing for Future CPC Training Demand
These 2025 enrolment figures point to continued interest in construction qualifications, with demand spread across distinct learner groups and training pathways. RTOs can use these patterns to guide course planning, provided they assess local demand, current training products and their capacity to deliver effectively.
For providers preparing future intakes, TotalVET Training Resources offers CPC learning resources and assessment tools designed to reduce resource development time and support efficient course setup. Explore our available CPC training resources and request a free sample to review their suitability for your delivery needs.
