Certificate III In Business Courses
Step into office, admin and business support roles with a nationally recognised AQF Level 3 qualification. Study online, at your own pace, with support from real Australian trainers.
What is a Certificate III in Business?
Certificate III in Business (BSB30120) is a nationally recognised AQF Level 3 qualification that prepares you for entry-level roles in office, administration and business support. It teaches the practical skills you actually use day to day in an Australian workplace, from professional communication and digital documents to customer service and team collaboration.
The course code BSB30120 tells you everything about the qualification. BSB is the Business Services Training Package, 30 indicates AQF Level 3, and 120 marks the 2020 update that brought the curriculum in line with how modern offices work, including digital tools, sustainable work practices and inclusive workplace behaviours.
It is the most direct entry point into office work in Australia. There are no formal entry requirements, you can study fully online, and you finish with a credential that is recognised by every employer across the country, whether you are applying for an admin role at a local council, a customer service role in aged care, or a support role inside a corporate office.
Skills you'll build in a Certificate III in Business
This qualification is built around the practical skills employers actually look for in entry-level office and business support roles. Here's what you'll walk away with.
How to operate in a professional team
- Professional written and verbal communication
- Working effectively in a team environment
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Inclusive workplace behaviours
- Time management and prioritisation
- Workplace health, safety and sustainability
Day-to-day tools and tasks
- Business software and digital tools
- Designing and producing business documents
- Organising schedules, meetings and travel
- Maintaining accurate business records
- Delivering and monitoring customer service
- Handling complaints and difficult conversations
What jobs can I get with a Certificate III in Business?
This qualification opens doors to entry-level office and admin roles across nearly every industry. Here are the most common destinations for graduates, with current Australian salary ranges and other key information.
Certificate III vs Certificate IV in Business: which should I do?
Choose Cert III if you are entering office work for the first time. Choose Cert IV if you already have workplace experience and want to step into a coordinator or supervisor role. Here is the practical breakdown.
| Certificate III in Business | Certificate IV in Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Course code | BSB30120 | BSB40120 |
| AQF Level | Level 3 (entry-level) | Level 4 (supervisory / coordinator) |
| Best for | First office job, returning to work, career change into admin | Stepping up from admin into team lead, coordinator or office manager |
| Typical roles | Administrative assistant, receptionist, customer service officer | Office manager, executive assistant, team leader, project coordinator |
| Indicative salary | $55,000 - $75,000 | $75,000 - $95,000+ |
| Duration (online, self-paced) | 12-18 months | 12-18 months |
| Pathway from here | → Certificate IV in Business | → Diploma of Business → Bachelor |
Where can a Certificate III take you?
Cert III is the start, not the destination. Here is the typical study and career progression for Upskilled graduates.
Certificate III in Business
Certificate IV in Business
Diploma of Business
Bachelor of Business
FAQs
Cert III in Business: your questions answered
At Upskilled, Certificate III in Business (BSB30120) is delivered online and self-paced. Most students complete it in 12 to 18 months, though motivated learners can finish faster.
Common roles include administrative assistant, receptionist, customer service officer, office junior, data entry clerk, records clerk and personal assistant. Because admin and business support roles exist in every industry, the qualification is portable across sectors including community services, aged care, government, retail head offices and professional services.
Entry-level admin and office support roles in Australia typically start around $55,000 to $65,000 per year, according to SEEK data from March 2026. With one or two years of experience, this typically ranges from $70,000 to $75,000, and senior or specialist roles, like executive assistant, can reach $85,000 or more.
Yes. It is a nationally recognised AQF Level 3 qualification that demonstrates job-ready skills to employers, and it is one of the most direct routes into office and administration work in Australia. It also gives you a clear pathway into Certificate IV in Business or a Diploma if you want to keep building.
Certificate III (BSB30120) is designed for entry-level office and admin roles. Certificate IV (BSB40120) builds toward supervisory and coordinator roles. Cert III focuses on execution and learning the rhythms of office work; Cert IV focuses on decision-making, leading small teams and taking on broader operational responsibility.
Yes. Upskilled delivers Certificate III in Business 100% online with self-paced study, no fixed timetable, no exams, and trainer support throughout. You log in, work through your units when it suits you, and submit assessments as you complete them.
There are no formal entry requirements for BSB30120. You will need a Year 10 level of English literacy and numeracy, access to a modern computer with stable internet, and a Unique Student Identifier (USI). Upskilled will help you set up a USI during enrolment if you do not already have one.
BSB30120 is the national course code for Certificate III in Business. BSB refers to the Business Services Training Package, 30 indicates AQF Level 3, and 120 marks the 2020 update to the qualification, which modernised the curriculum around digital tools and inclusive workplace practices.
The most common next step is Certificate IV in Business (BSB40120), which builds toward supervisory and coordinator roles. From there, students often move into a Diploma of Business (BSB50120), and many go on to a Bachelor of Business with credit recognition that can shorten the degree by six to twelve months.
Zaiba Hozam Khan
Head of Vocational Education — BSB, Upskilled
Zaiba leads the BSB Business stream at Upskilled and brings more than two decades of experience across teaching, training and senior education leadership. She has trained in business, management and HR qualifications across Australia and overseas, and holds a Master of Education along with advanced credentials in training, assessment, leadership and HR. She reviews Upskilled's business qualification content to ensure it reflects current industry practice and accurately represents the skills and outcomes of the BSB framework.
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