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How to Become a Locksmith?
Today's locksmiths go well beyond locks and keys, drawing their business from a variety of sectors, including residential, commercial, government or automotive. As such, the tasks of a locksmith will vary greatly from day-to-day.
The path to becoming a trade qualified locksmith is via an Australian Apprenticeship or Traineeship which are available under Australian Government schemes.
Both programs offer a flexible program whereby students can combine on-the-job paid work at their workplace with training and theory in the classroom.
These programs are also available to mature age students and:
- provide a career pathway from school to work or from one career to another;
- lead to nationally recognised qualifications and skills;
- involve paid work and structured training that can be on-the-job, off-the-job or a combination of both;
- recognise existing skills and prior experience which can potentially reduce the usual amount of formal training;
- offer a range of financial incentives to students and their employers.
The first step is to find an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice or trainee.
This can be done by contacting local locksmiths directly, registering with a number of employment agencies or by visiting Centrelink. Checking the employment section of local newspapers is also recommended.
The next step is for the employer to contact an Australian Apprenticeship Centre (AAC) to organise the required agreements and training components.
Locksmith Courses
The TAFE sector offers the following certificate and/or diploma locksmith courses:
| State | Provider | Course Name | Link | |
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QLD | Skills Tech | Certificate III In Locksmithing | www.skillstech.tafe.qld.gov.au/ |
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NSW | Sydney Institute of TAFE | Certificate III In Locksmithing | www.sit.nsw.edu.au/ |
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VIC | Melbourne Polytechnic | Certificate III In Locksmithing | www.melbournepolytechnic.edu.au |
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WA | Challenger TAFE | Certificate III In Locksmithing | www.challenger.wa.edu.au/ |
* Specialised locksmithing training is not provided by the TAFE sector in South Australia, Tasmania, Canberra, Darwin or regional Australia
Students in these locations are therefore obliged to attend the TAFE college nearest to them and in such cases travel and living-away-from-home subsidies are available (applies to Australian apprentices only).
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Support for Australian ApprenticesThe Australian Government recognises that apprentices are one of the nation's most valuable resources and supports them through a range of financial and other incentives. Get more information on Australianapprenticeships.gov.au Full details of these incentives and how to apply for them are available on the Australian Apprentices website or you can download the following Fact / Information Sheets  Apprenticeships - Great Career Options (PDF - 2MB) Australian Apprenticeship Reform (PDF - 421KB) Trade Support Loan Fact Sheet (PDF - 808KB) Trade Support Loans - At a glance (PDF - 100KB) |
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
What is recognition?
Recognition including recognition of prior learning (RPL), is a process for giving candidates credit for skills, knowledge and experience gained through working and learning.
It can be gained at any stage of their lives, through formal and informal learning, in Australia or overseas, through work or other activities such as volunteering.
If you've been in the industry for a significant period and do not have an 'official' locksmith trade qualification, you can go through the RPL process and obtain a trade qualification.
Please contact your local TAFE institutes for further information.
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New ZealandNew Zealand ApprenticesCompetenz offers Locksmithing apprenticeships that result in the New Zealand Certificate in Locksmithing (Level 4). This qualification forms a pathway for those who have completed National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 2) to specialise in Locksmithing and may lead to the National Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering Level 6).
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New Zealand - Assessment of Prior LearningAssessment of Prior Learning (APL) is a process that says experience does count when it comes to gaining a trade qualification. APL is especially for mature learners who missed out on gaining their trade qualification when they were younger, and it can also help people skilled in more than one trade or who trained outside of New Zealand to get accredited. By demonstrating knowledge to us through assessment, an employee within the mechanical engineering industry can gain a National Certificate in Locksmithing. See more information on the Visit the Competenz website for further information |