Community 3D Printing & Digital Skills

Learn. Design. Print.

We make 3D printing, computer-aided design and practical digital manufacturing accessible to individuals, community groups, neighbourhood houses and the people they support — no experience needed.

Now operating in Tasmania — other Australian states coming soon

A bright, welcoming community 3D printing workshop

Two ways to learn

Courses for individuals and organisations

We offer the same hands-on courses to everyone. Choose the path that suits you — individuals can book a place directly, while community organisations and businesses can arrange a tailored on-site program.

Individuals

Want to learn 3D printing and design for yourself? Book a place on any of our courses directly through our event platform — the same beginner-to-advanced pathway, no organisation required.

  • Book individual course places online
  • Same courses, from intro to advanced design
  • Learn at your own pace

Community organisations & businesses

Building in-house capability for your team or community? Start with a free information night, then progress through on-site training, equipment setup and ongoing support tailored to your group.

  • Free on-site information night
  • Staff & volunteer operator training
  • Equipment setup & ongoing servicing

The Program

Making 3D printing accessible to everyone

3D printing is becoming increasingly useful and affordable, yet it remains out of reach for many people. The cost of a printer and computer is only one barrier — people also need to learn how to operate equipment safely, find or create models, prepare files, select materials and maintain the printer.

The 3D Printing Workshop removes these barriers by offering a complete pathway: from initial awareness, through practical training and equipment establishment, to ongoing technical support and community-based service delivery.

Our goal isn't simply to place printers in community facilities — it's to help organisations build the knowledge, confidence and systems to use them effectively and sustainably.

Who the program is for

Neighbourhood houses & community centres
Charities & not-for-profit organisations
Disability & social-support organisations
Youth & family services
Men's sheds & community workshops
Libraries & learning centres
Regional & remote communities
STEM & digital-skills community groups

Particularly valuable in areas where shared equipment within a trusted organisation can give dozens — or hundreds — of local people access to emerging technology.

A group learning around a 3D printer in a community centre

Our experience

More than a short course — the whole lifecycle

25yrs

in IT as a technician, trainer & small-business systems specialist

11yrs

working with 3D printing — operation, slicing, design & maintenance

  • Explaining technical subjects clearly
  • Training complete beginners
  • Installing & supporting hardware and software
  • Troubleshooting and repairing equipment
  • Systems for small organisations
  • Understanding community budgets

Program delivery pathway

A staged approach — build interest before committing

Organisations can build interest and confidence before investing in equipment or longer training. Each stage leads naturally to the next.

01

Free community information night

An informal demo session hosted at your venue. We bring a working printer(s) and example prints, and introduce the technology in an fun and accessible way.

  • How a 3D printer works
  • Practical & creative uses
  • Finding and creating models
  • Materials and replacement parts
02

Introduction to 3D Printing

A beginner course covering the complete printing process, from safety to slicing. Participants receive a completion certificate.

  • Printer operation & safety
  • Filaments and file types
  • Slicing and print settings
  • Cost estimation & maintenance
03

Staff & volunteer operator training

Prepares nominated people to run and maintain the organisation's printer — so equipment stays useful when staff change.

  • Day-to-day operation
  • File & print-request management
  • Routine maintenance & faults
  • Pricing and procedures
04

Introduction to Fusion 360

Move beyond downloaded models and start creating original, practical designs.

  • Sketches, dimensions & constraints
  • Turning sketches into 3D objects
  • Clearances and tolerances
  • Exporting for printing
05

Advanced Fusion 360 & 3D scanning

A pathway for participants who want stronger design, technical or employment-related skills.

  • Multi-component assemblies
  • Replacement parts & reverse engineering
  • 3D scanning & cleanup
  • Prototyping complex projects

Community outcomes

Seeing an idea become a physical object

The program is welcoming and beginner-friendly — no previous 3D printing, design or advanced computer experience is required. The tangible result creates an immediate sense of achievement and encourages further learning. 

Digital confidence & computer literacy
Practical numeracy through measurements & costs
Literacy through instructions & terminology
Engagement with STEM
Creative problem-solving & design thinking
Intergenerational learning
Confidence for the not-so-technical
Meaningful participation for all abilities
Skills for employment & microenterprise
Reduced social isolation
Design & produce useful aids and parts
Affordable local access to technology
Colourful 3D printed objects on a wooden workbench

A sustainable community printing service

Many people only need occasional access to 3D printing. A modest local service lets one printer support dozens of people — and the income helps cover filament, maintenance and future upgrades, so the equipment progressively pays for itself.

Service & equipment

From a single print to a complete setup

What a community service can offer

  • Printing models supplied by community members
  • Replacement knobs, clips & brackets
  • Accessibility aids & customised household items
  • Educational resources & signage
  • Prototypes for local inventors or small businesses
  • Items for events and fundraising
  • Small batches of customised products
  • Basic design assistance

Complete establishment packages

Where funding allows, we provide everything — so organisations don't risk unsuitable equipment or printers left unused.

  • An appropriate enclosed 3D printer
  • Multi-material / multi-colour where suitable
  • A laptop for slicing & design software
  • Initial filament & consumables
  • Setup, configuration & software install
  • Staff, volunteer & participant training
  • Operating procedures & pricing help
  • Warranty assistance & ongoing support

Servicing & ongoing support

Keeping equipment active in the community

A common problem with technology grants is that equipment is purchased, interest is high, and then the printer becomes unusable after a fault or staff change. Our ongoing support — from people who understand both the printer and your environment — protects the original investment.

Printer servicing & repairs
Fault diagnosis
Replacement of worn components
Software & firmware assistance
Print-quality troubleshooting
Refresher & new-staff training
Remote support where practical
Onsite assistance when required
Friendly hands-on support adjusting a 3D printer

Funding

Why funding is empowering!

The full commercial cost would place the program beyond the reach of many of the individuals and organisations it's meant to support. Government, council, philanthropic or grant funding can subsidise course fees, equipment, travel, materials and ongoing support — so communities can offer programs at no or low cost.

Fully funded community program

Equipment, training and initial support funded for selected organisations in priority communities.

Co-contribution model

Funding covers most of the cost, with the organisation making a manageable contribution.

Subsidised participant places

Funded places for people experiencing unemployment, disability, hardship or isolation.

Regional program model

A funded series of info nights and courses delivered across multiple communities.

Shared equipment hub

One organisation hosts equipment and provides printing access to nearby groups.

Train-the-operator model

Funding focuses on developing capable staff and volunteers for ongoing participation.

Long-term vision

A network of community 3D printing hubs

Where people can learn, design, create and access affordable printing without needing to own the equipment themselves. With the right support, these printers become active community resources — supporting education, creativity, inclusion, practical problem-solving and local enterprise.

Reliable, suitable equipment
Trained staff or volunteer operators
Ongoing servicing & technical support
Beginner-friendly community training
A pathway into digital design
A sustainable printing-service model
Connections to share knowledge & ideas
For organisations & businesses

Book your free info night

For community organisations and businesses — tell us about your group and we'll be in touch to arrange a hands-on demonstration at your venue — no cost, no obligation.

Coming soon

Book a course as an individual

We're putting the finishing touches on our online event platform so you can browse upcoming course dates and book a place directly — no organisation required. The same beginner-to-advanced courses will be available to everyone.

In the meantime, send us a message and we'll let you know as soon as individual bookings open.

Register your interest Currently operating in Tasmania — other states coming soon

Get in touch

Let's bring 3D printing to your community

We're seeking introductions, partnerships and funding opportunities to pilot and expand this model. Send us a message and we'll get back to you.

Currently operating in Tasmania — other Australian states coming soon