What does a Civil Construction Plant Operator do?
As a Plant Operator, you’ll be called on for your specialist knowledge and skills in operating heavy machinery. Learn how to confidently operate heavy machinery of all types, from small plant and equipment, to rollers, dewatering vehicles and haul trucks. These are vital pieces of equipment that prepare infrastructure construction sites for future work, and lay the foundations for successful projects all across the country.
Career Opportunities for Civil Construction Plant Operators
Plant Operators workers are always in demand:
- Operate heavy machinery like rollers, graders, and excavators – vital pieces of construction equipment.
- Create the infrastructure for mining facilities in the Pilbara.
- You get the opportunity to work across a range of industries and construction projects, anywhere in Australia.
Continue scrolling for more information on this training course.
- COURSE DURATION 636 Nominal Hours
- SKILL LEVEL * Medium
*Disclaimer: Data sourced from the Australian Government’s Your Career website and is updated periodically. Accuracy and currency are not guaranteed – please refer to the source (www.yourcareer.gov.au) for the latest information.
Interested in becoming a Civil Construction Plant Operator? Start your training with GetCareers.
Course Info
Beneficial Skills & Attributes
You will need:
- A patient and methodical approach to your work.
- The ability to follow plans and directions precisely.
- To be technically-minded and enjoy practical, hands-on work.
- A love of working outdoors in the fresh air.
- An interest in heavy machinery.
Key Job Expertise
You will learn how to:
- Read and interpret plans and job specifications.
- Carry out measurements and calculations.
- Undertake basic ground levelling.
- Excavate, spread and compact materials.
- Identify, locate and protect underground services.
- Operate small plant and equipment.
- Drain and dewater civil construction sites.
- Operate various heavy machinery depending on your area of expertise.
Education & Training Requirements
The program is completed over a duration of 12 weeks (60 days), with training divided into 5 blocks which group Units of Competency of similar outcomes together to assist in the qualification delivery.
As well as in-class learning, you’ll undertake on-site work placement, during which you’ll begin formal training with an employer, and spend your time working and learning practical skills on the job.
Upon successful completion, you will receive a Nationally Accredited Certificate.
Delivery Location
As an apprentice, you will also do training off-site at our Skills Centre.
GetCareers Construction Skills Centre
29 Halifax Drive, Bunbury WA 6230
08 9725 7911
Fees & Charges
This program is funded by the Department of Training and Workforce Development through ‘Jobs and Skills WA’.
The student tuition fees are indicative only and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Additional fees may apply such as Student Service and Resource fees.
Until 31 December 2025 this course comes under the Lower Fees, Local Skills Initiative.
This means the course tuition fees have been cut in half!
Find out more about the initiative:
jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready
The WA Government fees policy is available here:
wa.gov.au/government/publications/vocational-education-and-training-fees-and-charges-policy
Construction and Training Fund (CTF)
Construction Training Fund (CTF) aims to create a skilled and sustainable workforce for the Western Australian building and construction industry. The CTF assists by reducing the cost of training and help promote the variety of exciting roles and opportunities within the construction industry.
The CTF provides employers with the support to enable them to maintain a highly competent workforce, by assisting them with funding for the training of apprentices in order to become suitably qualified tradespeople.
The apprenticeship grant for employers has a base rate of $3,000 to $10,000, depending on occupation and indenture term, and there are further supplements for employment in regional areas, as well as target groups such as female, indigenous and/or mature-aged persons.
Further incentives can be found at:
ctf.wa.gov.au/funding
Units of Competency
The Units of Competency we offer are:
Core Units
- RIIWHS201E – Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures.
- RIIRIS301E – Apply risk management processes.
- RIICOM201E – Communicate in the workplace.
- RIICCM203E – Read and interpret plans and job specifications.
- RIIBEF201E – Plan and organise work.
- RIICCM201E – Carry out measurements and calculations.
- RIISAM203E – Use hand and power tools.
- RIICCM202E – Identify, locate and protect underground services.
- RIICCM208E – Carry out basic levelling.
- RIISAM201E – Handle resources and infrastructure materials and safely dispose of nontoxic materials.
- RIICCM206E – Support plant operations.
- RIICCM205F – Carry out manual excavation.
- RIICCM207E – Spread and compact materials manually.
- RIISAM204E – Operate small plant and equipment.
- RIIWMG203E – Drain and dewater civil construction sites.
5 Electives (may vary)
- RIIMPO317F – Conduct roller operations.
- RIIMPO326E – Conduct water vehicle operations.
- RIIMPO337E – Conduct articulated haul truck operations.
- RIIMPO321F – Conduct civil construction wheeled front end loader operations.
- RIIMPO320F – Conduct civil construction excavator operations.
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For an up-to-date list of the units of competency associated with the Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations, visit:
Completion
Upon successful completion of the course you will receive a Nationally Accredited Certificate.
Get in touch
Talk to our team about apprenticeships, traineeships, courses, workforce solutions or business support. We’re always happy to answer your questions.
