Blinds, awnings, security screens and grilles provide Australian homes and businesses with sun protection, security, energy saving benefits and visual appeal. Manufacturing and installing these custom-made and fitted products requires skilled workers to meet the unique measurements and style preferences of each customer.
Click across the tabs to view active and completed project stages. Consultation takes place at every stage of the project.
The sector’s diverse range of fabrics, fittings and fixtures has contributed to a high level of complexity within manufacturing and installation occupations. The long-term success of individual businesses and the industry require the ability to access appropriately skilled workers.
Consultation will take place throughout this project to review the Certificate III in Blinds, Awnings, Security Screens, and Grilles and relevant units of competency so they are more flexible and relevant to current workplaces. In response to a crucial need for consistent skills in the installation of security screens, this project will also explore the option of developing a skill set to align with industry’s proposal for a specialised occupational licensing system.
We encourage input from industry, trainers, the union and other stakeholders with relevant experience so that updates reflect how work is currently performed in the industry.
Related occupations
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Project scope and purpose
This project will update the national qualification and skills standards for the window furnishing manufacturing industry so that learners can acquire the skills needed for effective performance in current workplaces and contribute to the industry’s overall development and presence in the construction and home improvement sectors. The updated qualification and possible new skill set for security screen installers will support the national occupational licensing initiative which seeks to ensure that all professionals in this field are adequately skilled in delivering quality and reliable installations.
Initial input from stakeholders suggests the following potential updates.
Timeline
Project team
Tim Cleary
Stakeholder Engagement Manager
FurnishingWorks
[email protected]
Belinda Tierney
General Manager
ForestWorks
[email protected]
Opportunities for stakeholder input
Stakeholder input is appreciated throughout the duration of this project. The qualification, units and skill set will be revised and drafted in consultation with the Technical Committee and their networks. Opportunities to provide targeted feedback will occur when the draft materials are made available in June 2025, and again to review and check final drafts in August 2025. However, your feedback is welcomed at any time, and will help us in drafting the qualification, skill set and units. The qualification, skill sets and units need to reflect real work experience. So, if you work in the sector, Skills Insight would appreciate your input.
A list of key stakeholder organisations has been identified for this project. Skills Insight will support FurnishingWorks as they work to contact each of these organisations during the development of this project to seek involvement and views on the draft qualification, skill set and units. Consultation is not limited to the organisations on this list. This list simply helps us to identify those organisations that, because of their industry role, size or specialty, are likely to have a key interest in the development and outcomes of this project. If you are aware of an organisation that you think should be involved, please contact the project team.
For updates and consultation opportunities, please subscribe to news and updates.
Alternatively, please feel free to contact the stakeholder engagement manager, Tim Cleary on 03 9321 3526 or email [email protected]
This project is part of the Annual Training Product Development Plan 2024-25.
A review of the Certificate III in Blinds, Awnings, Security Screens, and Grilles, and relevant units of competency, is underway to improve their flexibility and relevance to the skill needs in today’s workplaces. The sector’s diverse range of fabrics, fittings and fixtures has contributed to a high level of complexity within manufacturing and installation occupations. The long-term success of businesses and the broader industry requires the ability to access appropriately skilled workers.
A Technical Committee of relevant experts has been formed to provide advice throughout the project. The group met 22 May 2025 for initial discussions and to review and accept the Technical Committee Terms of Reference and Consultation Strategy. The committee is reviewing the qualification and units and providing advice for revisions; including the development of new units and the creation of a security screen installer skill set.
Drawing upon their deep understanding of the day-to-day operations and demands within the industry, the Technical Committee has initially focused on:
- accurately defining the scope of work currently performed across the sector
- identifying critical skill gaps that must be addressed.
Skill gaps have emerged due to several factors, including:
- existing units of competency becoming outdated and superseded
- necessary improvements in industry standards
- the significant impact of ongoing technological advancements within the field.
The committee also discussed the importance of the qualification and skill set taking into account existing and future licensing and regulation requirements, and a shared objective to acknowledge the industry-specific technical skills and precision required for installers and manufacturers alike.
Next steps
The draft qualifications and units of competency will be made available on this webpage for broad stakeholder consultation and feedback in July 2025.
Register for a consultation workshop
In-person and online workshops are planned for July to coincide with the release of draft documents for broad stakeholder feedback. These sessions will provide further information about the work underway and outline how you can contribute to the updated draft qualification, skill set and units of competency.
Register for a session that best suits you.
In-person sessions*
*Please note that the in-person event scheduled to be held in Darwin will not be running. Stakeholders in the area are encouraged to register for the online General Industry update scheduled for Thursday 17 July 2025 or email Stakeholder Engagement Manager Tim Cleary at [email protected] to be involved.
Online sessions*
*Please note, the previously scheduled general industry update for the afternoon of Thursday 17 July will no longer be running. Those interested are encouraged to attend the earlier session that day.
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If you would like to receive updates about this project, please subscribe to our newsletter and select ‘Furnishing’ as one of your industries of interest.
Consultation has been taking place to review the Certificate III in Blinds, Awnings, Security Screens, and Grilles, and relevant units of competency to improve their flexibility and relevance to current job roles.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the draft qualification, skill set and units of competency that were available for feedback between 25 June to 28 July 2025.
Based on stakeholder feedback, the scope of the project was extended to allow for the drafting of new skill sets and units of competency, as well as the inclusion of additional units, before progressing to the ‘Consensus Gathering’ stage.
Thank you also to everyone who provided feedback on the training products that underwent this additional review from 19 August to 19 September 2025.
The training products available during that period included:
Consultation workshops
Online workshops were held in September providing further information about the work underway and how to have input.
Online sessions
Subscribe for updates
If you would like to receive updates about this project, please subscribe to our newsletter and select ‘Furnishing’ as one of your industries of interest.
Summary of changes
In addition to the development of three new skill sets and units, some changes were made to the draft qualification, skill set and units that were available for feedback between 25 June to 28 July 2025.
Nationally, stakeholder feedback reflected a desire for better and more transparent licensing and regulation, with nationally transferable outcomes. This is outside the scope of this review, but important to note as there is a strong appetite to see training and regulation become a standard to raise the industry’s profile and create clear entry pathways. We have been liaising with regulators and licensing bodies to get their insights and feedback.
View the draft documents
Note: This project commenced prior to 1 July 2025 when the new Training Package Organising Framework commenced. It is therefore following the 2023 Training Package Organising Framework and adhering to the Standards for Training Packages 2023, Training Package Products Development and Endorsement Process Policy 2023 and the Training Package Products Policy 2023.
The Certificate III in Blinds, Awnings, Security Screens, and Grilles has been revised, with the draft below offering more relevant specialisations and electives within each specialisation to meet industry needs. This revised qualification offers greater flexibility, with the ability to choose from a wider range of electives, while maintaining clear specialist areas (manufacturing, installation and security products).
As a result of feedback gathered during the initial Broad Consultation stage from 25 June to 28 July 2025:
- an adjustment has been made to core units to include ‘MSFGN3004 Resolve quality and compliance issues’ (previously included as an elective but determined by stakeholders to be a critical skill for everyone working in the industry) resulting in a packaging update to 9 core, 1 safety elective, 8 specialised electives and up to 6 general, allowing up to 3 imported).
- an addition of the following electives to address skills gaps:
- MSFGN3003 Advise customers on products and services (installation specialisation – unintentionally left out of the first draft)
- MSFSF3017 Measure up and calculate fabric quantities for window coverings (general, included for installers or manufacturers to build skills in site assessment, measuring and costing for soft interior furnishings)
- SIRXSLS001 Sell to the retail customer (general, included as an option for workers cross skilling with a sales function)
- CPCCCM2008 Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding (general, included to promote better safety standards.
The Security Screen skill set has been developed to meet a need for a specialised skill set for the security screen industry, to support licensing and regulation. There was strong support for this draft during the initial Broad Consultation stage and no changes have been made.
MSFSSXXX30 Security Screen Skill Set
As a result of feedback gathered during the initial Broad Consultation stage from 25 June to 28 July 2025, the following 3 new skill sets have been developed to meet the needs of manufacturers, installers, and salespeople:
MSFSSXXX31 Manufacturing Leadership Skill Set
MSFSSXXX32 Shading Screen Installer Skill Set
MSFSSXXX33 Shading and Security Screen Sales Skill Set
As a result of feedback gathered during the initial Broad Consultation stage from 25 June to 28 July 2025:
- Additional units were identified as needing inclusion and review to ensure current technologies and products were reflected across the qualification.
- All installation units (MSFBA3X4 Install awnings, MSFBA3X5 Install interior blinds, MSFSSG3X1 Install non-security and security screens and MSFBA3X8 Install roller shutters) were amended to include reference to checking for existing services explicitly as a safety requirement in the performance criteria and were also adjusted to include explicit problem solving knowledge relating to openings that were found to be unlevel or out of square.
- Both security units MSFSSG3X1 Install non-security and security screens and MSFSSG3X2 Assemble non-security and security screens were updated to reflect hardware testing / tuning while the door is upright in the performance criteria and problem-solving hardware issues in the knowledge evidence.
- MSFBA3X9 Assemble louvre shutters was adjusted to ensure clarity in different materials to be handled including those to make components that accompany the shutter (e.g. frames, head boxing and rails).
- MSFSSG3X3 Assess suitability of security screens and MSFBA3X6 Assess suitability of blinds and awnings were both reviewed by the technical committee to discuss whether bushfire or cyclone ratings were relevant nationally. It was determined that these conditions present the highest risk in classifications within the National Construction Code and understanding the application of the one most relevant to the learner’s location of work is critical in having transferrable and nationally recognised skills, while other climate conditions were considered (e.g. frost and rain levels) it was determined that these are the two most critical for assessment.
- MSFBA3X3 Assemble pelmets was updated to include upholstered pelmets in the performance evidence.
- MSFBAA3X2 Assemble interior blinds and MSFBAA3X5 Install interior blinds were both updated to include more explicit language relating to child safety requirements in both performance criteria and knowledge evidence.
- MSFOPS3X1 Develop product knowledge was updated to include warranty and consumer protection explicitly as knowledge evidence requirements and performance evidence was adjusted to reflect industry wide products instead of workplace-specific products.
Click on the unit sector title below to view the list of draft units.
A draft copy of an extract that will be included in the MSF Furnishing Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide (including details of the proposed changes to the qualification, skill set and units)was available for review and comment.
As a result of feedback gathered during the initial Broad Consultation stage from 25 June to 28 July 2025, this document includes an update to the pathways chart to better reflect pathway options and stronger emphasis on the importance of workplace based learning where possible. Additional skill sets and units have also been added to reflect the additional units now included in the project.
Summary of previous consultation round
Initial drafts available for feedback
From 25 June to 28 July 2025
Stakeholder feedback on the draft qualification, skill set, and units released during this period led to the development of three additional skill sets and three units for broader review. Feedback also prompted consideration of reinstating the nine previously withdrawn units.
Summary of changes during this period
The Certificate III in Blinds, Awnings, Security Screens and Grilles was revised to reflect updated units and offer a broader set of core and elective units, with a focus on:
A new specialisation and skill set for security screens has been included to reflect the technical nature of the security door and window screen sector, replacing the estimating and detailing specialisation that was previously incorporated.
Based on advice from stakeholders, 14 existing units were updated to reflect new technologies, current and emerging industry trends and products, and to ensure relevant skills and knowledge are assessed. Three additional units were also created to provide:
For a detailed list of changes, please see the Summary of Changes document
Consultation workshops
In-person and online workshops were held in July to coincide with the draft documents being made available for broad stakeholder feedback. These sessions provided further information about the work underway and how to have input.
In-person sessions
Online sessions
View the documents available from 25 June to 28 July 2025
Click on the accordions below to view the draft qualification, skill set and units of competency, including any comments made on them through the feedback hub.
The Certificate III in Blinds, Awnings, Security Screens, and Grilles has been revised, with the draft below offering more relevant specialisations and electives within each specialisation to meet industry needs. This revised qualification offers greater flexibility, with the ability to choose from a wider range of electives, while maintaining clear specialist areas (manufacturing, installation and security products).
This skill set has been developed to meet a need for a specialised skill set for the security screen industry, to support licensing and regulation.
Questions we would like you to consider when reviewing the units:
- Does the language used in the units reflect current industry language?
- Are the details in the unit Application, correct?
- Do the updated Elements and Performance Criteria match the current job task?
- Do the products to be manufactured in the performance evidence reflect Australian Made products and current technology?
- Do the products to be installed in the performance evidence reflect currently available products and current technology?
- Is the volume and frequency of Performance Evidence reasonable?
- Is the Knowledge Evidence reasonable? Are there details that could help refine the scope of the knowledge that needs to be assessed?
Click on the unit sector title below to view the list of draft units.
A draft copy of an extract that will be included in the MSF Furnishing Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide (including details of the proposed changes to the qualification, skill set and units) is also available for review and comment.
The draft qualification, skill set, and units were developed in consultation with the Technical Committee, made up of members from across both shading and security screens and involved in manufacturing, installation or a combination of these processes. The Technical Committee were also encouraged to engage their networks and gather advice and feedback throughout the process.
To keep up with the evolving needs of industry, the proposed Certificate III in Shading and Security Screens qualification, 4 skill sets and 29 units of competency for installers and manufacturers are being revised in consultation with stakeholders.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the final drafts which were available for comment between 6 – 24 October 2025. Feedback was sought on whether the updates to the qualification, skill sets and units were accurate and appropriate. All feedback is being considered to progress the final drafts through to the Finalisation stage of the project.
Latest changes
The following updates to drafts were made as a result of feedback gathered during Broad Consultation from 19 August to 19 September 2025.
- Qualification: elective units were added to address skills gaps. Some units moved from general to specialised electives.
- Manufacturing Leadership Skill Set: unit selection was adjusted to better reflect leadership communication and facilitation skills and remove production skills.
- Units of competency: some minor changes were made to the draft units to improve clarity for delivery and industry currency/accuracy.
- Companion Volume Implementation Guide: updates to licensing and regulation guidance.
Consultation workshops
Online workshops were held on Thursday 16 October to provide further information about the final drafts and how to provide feedback.
Subscribe for updates
If you would like to receive updates about this project, please subscribe to our newsletter and select ‘Furnishing’ as one of your industries of interest.
Nationally, stakeholder feedback reflected a desire for better and more transparent licensing and regulation, with nationally transferable outcomes. This is outside the scope of this review, but important to note as there is a strong appetite to see training and regulation become a standard to raise the industry’s profile and create clear entry pathways. We have been liaising with regulators and licensing bodies obtain their insights and feedback.
View the draft documents
Click on the accordions below to view the draft qualification, skill set and units of competency.
Note: This project commenced prior to 1 July 2025 when the new Training Package Organising Framework was implemented. It is therefore following the 2023 Training Package Organising Framework and adhering to the Standards for Training Packages 2023, Training Package Products Development and Endorsement Process Policy 2023 and the Training Package Products Policy 2023.
Summary of consultation to date
The draft qualification, skill sets, and units were revised in consultation with the Technical Committee and made available for Broad Consultation as part of two stages (between 25 June to 28 July 2025 and a second phase between 19 August and 19 September 2025). Six face-to-face workshops and five online sessions were held throughout the first phase and based on stakeholder feedback, the scope of the project was extended to allow for the drafting of new skill sets and units of competency. Feedback also prompted consideration of reinstating the nine previously withdrawn units.
During the second phase of Broad Consultation, held from 19 August to 19 September 2025, a comprehensive review process continued. This phase sought input on three new skills sets and changes made to the qualification, skill set and units. This phase included four online workshops with stakeholders contributing valued comments and feedback. Further discussions with subject matter experts and the Technical Committee were conducted to collaborate with the project team in responding to stakeholder feedback.
Thank you to those who provided feedback during these activities. Visit the ‘Development’ and ‘Broad Consultation’ tabs for more details of work and consultation undertaken during these times.
This stage has not yet commenced.
At the finalisation stage, final checks are conducted and the outcomes of the project are submitted to the Department for consideration. Following this, outcomes are published or enacted.
FurnishingWorks, a part of ForestWorks, is providing support for the management of this JSC project as part of their collaborative partnership with Skills Insight. ForestWorks has an enduring and strong connection working with the forestry, timber, paper, fibre and furnishing industries and have been engaged by Skills Insight to deliver this project in partnership.