Excavating is a specialised area of expertise in mobile plant operations, often highly sought after in the civil construction industry.
There’s no formal certification required to be an excavator operator in Australia since the implementation of the Work Health & Safety Act 2011. While you don’t need a ticket or licence to operate excavators, your likelihood of employment improves dramatically when you do have nationally recognised training and a certificate of competency.
Excavators are machines that are commonly used on building, civil construction and landfill sites to dig trenches or move heavy objects. Excavation or earthmoving work can be done for various reasons, such as:
Within this line of work, you can also pursue further specialisation such as hydraulic rock breaking machines or trench digging machines. While a high-risk licence is not required for excavation work, you will still want to receive robust training as a beginner as well as an experienced operator since you’ll be handling dangerous equipment.
More often than not, excavator training students will also pursue training and licenses in other areas to broaden their competencies in the civil construction industry. Thus, many Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), the only accredited training program providers, will offer combined earthmoving courses you can take advantage of.
Which RTO-provided training centres are available in Melbourne?
There many RTOs that provide various forms of excavator training or earthmoving courses in Melbourne/Victoria. Upon successful completion you will receive a statement of attainment.
Here are some of the excavator or earthmoving course providers in Melbourne open for enrolment.
Construction Training International
Course offered:
Course fee:
Can be completed as part of the broader certification courses such as RII30915 – Certificate III in Civil Construction- General and RII30815 – Certificate III in Civil Construction- Plant.
Civil Trans Training
Courses offered:
Beginners course fee:
Experienced course fee:
Foresite Training and Licensing
Course(s) offered:
Course fee:
Course fee:
Course fee:
Construction Training Group
Course offered:
12-day packaged earthmoving courses which include the following units of competency
Course fee:
Course offered:
6-day packaged earthmoving courses that teach basic skills needed to operate roller, excavator, backhoe, front end loader, skid steer.
Course fee:
What is an excavator course?
In an excavator course, RIIMPO320F – Conduct Civil Construction Excavator Operations, you will attain the basic skills needed to conduct excavator operations at a worksite including conducting machine pre-operational checks, configuring and relocating the machine, and ensuring machine operator maintenance.
The course should help you:
You would typically have an option to take a shorter course if you are an experienced operator, but you will have to sign a declaration form indicating your level of experience before doing so. Even if you are a veteran, refresher training is highly recommended to ensure you are employing the latest best practices in safety.
Some RTOs will not provide a standalone excavator course; instead, it’ll come as part of a packaged earthmoving training program which will include a range of other relevant courses such as front-end loader, backhoe, skid steer, etc.
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