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Mobile Plant Operator (NSW/ACT)

State/Territory Specific Information

Education and Training:

You can work as a mobile plant operator without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job.

You can also become a mobile plant operator through an apprenticeship or traineeship in Civil Construction Plant Operations, Surface Extraction Operations or Transport and Logistics (Mobile Crane Operations). Entry requirements may vary but employers usually require Year 10. Ask your career adviser about the possibility of starting some of this training in school.

Additional Information:

Industry standards often require mobile plant operators to hold a licence to Perform High Risk Work, issued by WorkCover NSW or WorkSafe ACT. To gain a licence, you will need to register with an approved Registered Training Organisation and work under the supervision of a licensed operator, and keep an approved logbook to record competencies achieved during training. Assessment by an independent assessor will then be required. You will need to be at least 18 years of age to obtain a licence.

All those who work in the construction industry must undergo safety induction training and be issued with a Construction Induction Card (CIC). In NSW, training is conducted by Registered Training Organisations authorised by WorkCover NSW. In the ACT, training is provided by Registered Training Organisations approved by WorkSafe ACT.

Contact WorkCover NSW or WorkSafe ACT for details of Registered Training Organisations authorised to deliver training and assessment.

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Resources and Infrastructure or Transport and Logistics Training Packages that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.

Related Courses:

While the following courses are related to this occupation, they may not necessarily lead directly to employment, nor provide the most direct pathway to the occupation. Courses which provide preliminary or informal training, as well as those which provide additional job skills following initial qualifications may also be listed.

*Course is offered by more than one institution. Click link for details.

  1. Backhoe/Loader Operations (Training Program)
  2. Civil Construction Wheel Loader Operations (Training Program)
  3. Conduct Backhoe/Loader Operations (RII Unit) *
  4. Conduct Civil Construction Dozer Operations (RII Unit)
  5. Conduct Civil Construction Excavator Operations (RII Unit) *
  6. Conduct Civil Construction Grader Operations (RII Unit)
  7. Conduct Civil Construction Tracked Front End Loader Operations (RII Unit)
  8. Conduct Operations with Integrated Tool Carrier (RII Unit)
  9. Conduct Roller Operations (RII Unit)
  10. Conduct Wheel Loader Operations (RII Unit)
  11. Earthmoving Operations - Heavy (Training Program)
  12. Earthmoving Operations - Light (Training Program)
  13. Excavator Operations (Training Program)
  14. Operate a Boom Type Elevating Work Platform (Module)
  15. Operate a Boom Type Elevating Work Platform (TLI Unit) *
  16. Operate a Bridge and Gantry Crane (Module)
  17. Operate a Bridge and Gantry Crane - Remote Operation (Module)
  18. Operate a Derrick Crane (Module)
  19. Operate a Dozer - Wheeled and Tracked (Module)
  20. Operate a Forklift Truck (Module)
  21. Operate a Front End Loader - Skid Steer Type (Module)
  22. Operate a Grader (Module)
  23. Operate a Hoist - Material or Personnel (Module)
  24. Operate a Portal Boom Crane (Module)
  25. Operate a Roller (Module)
  26. Operate a Scraper (Module)
  27. Operate a Vehicle Loading Crane (Module)
  28. Operate an Excavator (Module)
  29. Operate an Order Picking Forklift Truck (Module)
  30. Operate Concrete Placing Booms (Module)
  31. Operate Elevated Work Platforms (CPC Unit) *
  32. Operate Material Hoists - Cantilever Platform (Module)
  33. Operate Non-slewing Mobile Cranes - More than 3 Tonnes Capacity (Module)
  34. Operate Slewing Mobile Crane - Over 100 Tonnes (Module)
  35. Operate slewing mobile crane - Up to 100 Tonnes (Module)
  36. Operate Slewing Mobile Crane - Up to 20 Tonnes (Module)
  37. Operate Slewing Mobile Crane - Up to 60 Tonnes (Module)
  38. Operate Small Plant and Equipment (RII Unit)
  39. Operating Loadshifting Equipment *
  40. Perform Advanced Rigging Operations (Module)
  41. Perform Advanced Scaffolding Operations (Module)
  42. Perform Basic Rigging Operations (Module)
  43. Perform Basic Scaffolding Operations (Module)
  44. Perform Dogging Operations (Module)
  45. Perform Intermediate Rigging Operations (Module)
  46. Perform Intermediate Scaffolding Operations (Module)
  47. Certificate II in Process Plant Operations
  48. Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations *
  49. Certificate III in Manufacturing Technology - CAD/Drafting *
  50. Certificate III in Manufacturing Technology - Metallurgy *
  51. Certificate IV in Manufacturing Technology - CAD/Drafting

Employment Opportunities:

Major employers include earthmoving and civil construction contractors, private developers, mining and minerals processing companies and government authorities. Work projects vary in size and location. Sites may be located in the city, suburbs or country and are sometimes in remote areas. Employment in the public sector has declined due to a trend towards contracting out earthmoving work to private firms.

Some plant operators may own and operate equipment on a contract hire basis, although the cost of equipment is high.

For Further Information:

Civil Contractors Federation (NSW)

(02) 9009 4000

Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council

(02) 6253 0002

Minerals Council of Australia

(02) 6233 0600

WorkCover NSW

13 10 50

WorkSafe ACT

(02) 6207 3000

Information for other states and territories: