Sturt School for Wood
MSF40222 Certificate in Furniture Design & Manufacturing
Since 1985, the Sturt School for Wood has built a reputation training many of the most established woodworkers and furniture makers in Australia today.
The Sturt School for Wood is a Registered Training Organisation (no. 2571) offering the nationally-recognised (Australian Qualification Framework) MSF40222 Certificate IV in Furniture Design and Manufacturing as a one-year full-time course.
Course Description
The course objective is to develop, in one year, the personal skill, knowledge and confidence that will provide a strong foundation in the craft, enabling graduates to continue working with wood as a profession.
The course offers each student:
Predominantly practical instruction covering a broad range of fine woodworking skills
Related theoretical and design studies, technical drawing & design fundamentals
Intensive training in the use of a comprehensive range of woodworking machinery
Personal bench space within a small group
Individual guidance from well established and respected professional furniture makers/designers
Specialist visiting lecturers
Access to our Design Studio that includes laser cutting, digital routing and 3D printing
Visits to other workshops, exhibitions, timber yards, suppliers etc.
Use of library, fully equipped photographic studio and other resources
Full accreditation for AUSTUDY for those eligible
A recognised tertiary qualification (Certificate IV) for all successful graduates
A superb working environment
Course Structure
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Term 1
The first term is an intensive induction where you’ll learn many of the fundamentals of the craft, including hand and power tools, wood properties, glues, finishes, veneers, joints and much more. This will be learnt by making a series of set projects, culmuinating in the perfect hanging tool cabinet.
You’ll learn how to look after your hand tools, make your own tools, make your own dovetail saw and use it to learn the art of dovetail joints, set up your bench and workspace, and safely operate machinery.
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Term 2
Design and build a unique piece of furniture with a traditional drawer. Learn and practice a range of curving techniques such as steam bending, coopering, laminating or kerfing; and then design and make an item incorporating a curved component.
Interpret and respond to a design brief
Investigate materials and technologies for design projects
Prepare and present design and manufacturing information
Generate design solutions
Produce drawings to communicate ideas
Construct joints for custom furniture
Produce manual and computer-aided drawings from design concepts
Assemble custom furniture
Produce curved and shaped components for custom furniture
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Term 3
Put your newfound skills to use in designing, prototyping and constructing your own batch project for potential commercial sales. The focus will be on jig construction and strategies for making multiples of the same product.
Research furniture styles and movements
Produce technical drawings
Design, construct and test jigs
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Term 3
Channel your creativity and practice into a piece that’s worthy of your Graduate Exhibition. This work should demonstrate your awareness and understanding of the design principles you’ve studied throughout the year. Separately, you will carry out research into a specific furniture style, maker or movement and produce a presentation to be shared with the class.
Produce timber veneered components for custom furniture
Make scale models
Select timbers for furniture production
Project Management and professional development
Organise all aspects of the year end exhibition
Make a portfolio with a complete record of the project (including photographs)
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Term 4
Combine everything you have learnt to design and make a chair. Your most demanding project so far, you’ll need to consider cover design, prototyping, structural concerns, ergonomics, materials and processes, production and basic upholstery techniques.
Enrolment Information
The Sturt School of Wood is taking applications for 2026 into our MSF40222 Certificate IV in Fine Furniture Design and Manufacturing course.
TERM DATES 2025
Term 1: 28 January to 11 April
Term 2: 22 April to 27 June
Term 3: 14 July to 19 September
Term 4: 29 September to 28 November
Graduation and Exhibition Opening: Saturday 15 November
Graduate Exhibition runs for 2 weeks: 15-30 November
Course Fee 2025: $26,000
TERM DATES 2026
Term 1: 27 January to 02 April
Term 2: 13 April to 26 June
Term 3: 13 July to 18 September
Term 4: 28 September to 27 November
Graduation and Exhibition Opening: Saturday 16 November
Graduate Exhibition runs for 2 weeks: 16-29 November
Course Fee 2026: TBC
TUTORS 2025
Term 1
Introduction: Stuart Faulkner
Hand tool making: Paul Nicholson
Term 2
Drawer/table project: Peter Young
Curves & Shapes: Ross Annels
Term 3
Batch project: Darren Oates
Exhibition piece: Jon Goulder & Andrew Carvolth
Term 4
Chair: Neil & Pam Erasmus
TUTORS 2026
Term 1
Introduction: TBC
Hand tool making: TBC
Term 2
Drawer/table project: TBC
Curves & Shapes: TBC
Term 3
Batch project: TBC
Exhibition piece: TBC
Term 4
Chair: TBC
Submit an Application for 2026
To apply for 2026 entry, please complete the form below.
For more information, please contact:
Michael Harris
Coordinator of Sturt School for Wood
miharris@sturt.nsw.edu.au
0415 669 013
02 4860 2090
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I wish to apply for enrolment for the forthcoming year in the full time course offered by Winifred West Schools Limited (“the School”) at the Sturt School for Wood. In making this application for enrolment I accept, and agree to be bound by, the following terms:
I agree to pay a registration fee of $150 and to attend an interview and provide any other information that may reasonably be required to allow my application to be considered.
Should my application for enrolment be accepted, I shall be liable for the payment of a non refundable deposit of $1,500 within seven (7) days of such acceptance (deposit will be deducted from final term account);
upon commencement of the course I shall be liable for the full year fee as indicated in my letter of offer;
such fees may be payable in four equal instalments payable no later than 7 days before the start of each term. The enrolment deposit will be deducted from the final payment;
in the event that the tuition fees or any part thereof are not paid by me in accordance with paragraph (3) I may be stood down until the arrears are paid in full;
(a) If for any reason, except noted in 6b below, I decide or are unable to complete the course and wish to withdraw, there will be no refund of any fees paid to date and I will also be liable for any remaining course fees, as per 3 above. These remaining fees for the full amount outstanding will be invoiced within 30 days of withdrawal from the course.
(b) If the reason for withdrawal is due to death, or serious illness that prevents participation or prevents the student being reasonably able (with reasonable adjustment) to complete the course within the academic year, then there will be no refund of fees paid up to the date of withdrawal, including the deposit, but any future fees will be waived;
I shall be billed at the end of each term with an account for disbursements and out-of-pocket expenses paid by the School for, or on, my behalf and I shall pay such within 7 days before the commencement of the following term, or if such disbursements or out-of-pocket expenses were paid or incurred during my final term, within 7 days of my receiving an account for them;
the School reserves the right to demand my withdrawal at any time if my general conduct or my attitude to work or performance is not satisfactory, or if I have failed to meet the financial obligations required in paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5);
if at the time of making application for enrolment the student is under the age of 18 and if the student wishes to make payments by instalments then the student will be required to provide a suitable person who will guarantee the obligations of the student hereunder;
any of my possessions or those of any other person which I take to, or leave at the School premises, are taken or left entirely at my own risk and if such possessions are lost, destroyed, stolen while on the School premises, I shall not be entitled to make any claim against the School or Winifred West Schools Limited for them.
MSF40222 Certificate IV in Furniture Design and Manufacturing Application Form
Perspectives 2024
Sturt School for Wood Graduate Exhibition 2024
Perspective is an exhibition where furniture goes beyond its everyday function, inviting you to experience design in unexpected ways.
Over the past year, each of the nine graduates responded to the same project briefs, but the results are worlds apart. Where else can you see furniture from the perspectives of a bartender, lawyer, portfolio manager, cop, programmer, outdoor education guide, printer, and graphic designers? Every piece on display has been meticulously crafted to offer something new—whether through its form, function, or deeper meaning.
Photography by Ashley Mackevicius. Work by Ken Playford.
Photography by Ashley Mackevicius. Work by Jon Reilly.
Photography by Ashley Mackevicius. Work by Matt Tindale.
Photography by Ashley Mackevicius. Work by Jarrod Cook.
Photography by Ashley Mackevicius. Work by Josh Donald.
Photography by Ashley Mackevicius. Work by Dominic Billson.
Photography by Ashley Mackevicius. Work by Craig Lind.
Photography by Ashley Mackevicius. Work by Andrew Watt.
Photography by Ashley Mackevicius. Work by Sharynn Moors.