Frequently Asked Questions

It's a nationally accredited course covering two units from the Certificate III in Urban Pest Management: CPPUPM3008 Inspect for and report on timber pests, and CPPUPM3010 Control timber pests. When you're assessed as competent, you receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for both units.

You'll learn to inspect buildings and sites for timber pests, identify them and the damage they cause, write inspection reports, and plan and carry out treatments. Topics include termite, borer and wood decay biology, construction methods and pressure areas, inspection tools and safety, Australian Standards and codes of practice, general versus pre-purchase inspections, termite management systems, baiting, dusting, foaming and soil treatments, calculating termiticide quantities, chemical safety, and monitoring treatment results.

Subterranean termites, dampwood termites, drywood termites, borers and wood decay fungi.

Yes. You'll learn the difference between general and pre-purchase inspections, the written agreement a pre-purchase inspection needs, and what a report must include under AS 4349.3. To do inspections in your own name you'll need the right licence, and most inspectors also carry professional indemnity insurance.

You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and you need a work placement with a licensed timber pest technician, arranged before you enrol.

The course has no prerequisite units, but most timber pest technicians start in general pest work. In Queensland, a licence for timber pest work requires the three general pest units (CPPUPM3005, CPPUPM3006 and CPPUPM3018) as well as CPPUPM3008 and CPPUPM3010. If you need all five, our General & Timber Pest Management bundle saves you $300. Other states have their own rules, so check with your licensing authority.

Yes. You must complete your practical work under the supervision of a licensed timber pest technician, and you need to arrange your supervisor before enrolling. If you don't have one, we can refer you to affiliated pest companies in capital cities. Supervision through an affiliated company costs $1,200 + GST, paid directly to the pest company. This isn't included in the course fee.

Fully online and self-paced through our learning platform. There are no classes or timetables.

About 100 hours of learning. You have 6 months from enrolment to complete the course.

No. The learning platform is easy to use and walks you through each module. You'll need a computer or tablet with internet access, and a phone or camera for photo evidence.

Yes. Each unit has a downloadable learner guide with the same content as the online modules.

Yes. Our industry-qualified trainers are available to help through the learning platform, and you can call us on 1800 248 249.

You complete 20 supervised jobs at different premises: 10 timber pest inspections with reports (CPPUPM3008) and 10 timber pest treatments with management plans (CPPUPM3010). Across each set of 10, at least 5 involve subterranean termites and you cover at least two other timber pest types. Your treatments must include both slab-on-ground and suspended floor buildings.

For each unit, you record 7 premises in your logbook with documents and photos, and your supervisor validates them. Your assessor observes the other 3, in person or by live video while a licensed person is with you. At least one observed job in each unit must involve subterranean termites.

Inspection and treatment equipment, termiticides and PPE through your supervising business, plus the Australian Standards AS 3660 and AS 4349.3 and the industry codes of practice for termite management and pre-purchase timber pest inspections.

Each unit has an online multiple-choice knowledge assessment with a pass mark of 80%, plus the workplace evidence described above. Your assessor reviews everything and makes the final competency decision.

You'll see which topics to review, and you can go back over the modules and try again.

$1,495 if you pay upfront, or $695 upfront plus four weekly payments of $225. Supervision costs are separate (see above). Payment terms and our refund policy are in our Student Handbook.

Yes. These units are nationally recognised, so you need a USI before we can issue your Statement of Attainment. You can create one free at usi.gov.au.

Arrange your supervisor first. Then click Enrol on the course page, complete your details and payment, and use the link in your welcome email to log in and start.

The course doesn't issue a licence, but it can help you meet the training requirements to apply for one through your state or territory licensing authority. Check your authority's requirements before you enrol, including whether you also need the general pest units.

Combine timber pest inspections with building inspections. We also offer building inspection courses, so you can work as a pre-purchase building and pest inspector. In Queensland, building inspections are licensed separately by the QBCC.