This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification is for telecommunications operators working on the construction and maintenance of high-speed national broadband network (NBN) infrastructure, and on required technology.
Telecommunications technology operators may:
- perform equipment and system installation work on a customer network to enable efficient access and interconnection to the NBN services, including connecting and jointing of copper cable, diagnosing and rectifying copper cable system faults, and migrating, remediating and augmentation of copper services to maximise benefits of the high-speed broadband connection
- splice, test and fault-find on live fibre cable in the NBN fibre distribution network
- perform equipment and system installation work on a customer network to enable efficient access and interconnection to the NBN services, including diagnosing and rectifying fibre system faults, working with active equipment, and performing integration and commissioning activities to maximise benefits of the high-speed broadband connection
- perform underground and aerial equipment and system installations from the tap to the optical node to enable efficient access and interconnection to the NBN services, including connecting and terminating hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) cabling, diagnosing and rectifying HFC system faults
- install, activate and assure HFC equipment and systems from the last connection point of the network to the customer premises – tap to network termination device (NTD) – to enable efficient access and interconnection to the NBN services.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Work functions in the occupational areas where this qualification may be used are subject to regulatory requirements. Refer to the ICT Information and Communications Technology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide or the relevant regulator for details of licensing, legislative or certification requirements.
Cabling at the customer premises downstream of the NTD must be carried out according to requirements of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and relevant industry registration bodies, and in line with the specifications of the access network owner.
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Financial help
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Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:
*To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.
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On-the-job training
- Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
This traineeship is available:
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Through traineeship:
3 years - Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Through traineeship:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Determine and apply technologies within a telecommunications system | Core |
| Follow work health and safety and environmental policy and procedures | Core |
| Locate, identify and rectify telecommunications network faults | Core |
| Provide customer service to telecommunications customers | Core |
| Use electrical skills when working with telecommunications networks | Core |
| Use hand and power tools | Core |
| Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry | Elective |
| Carry out WHS requirements | Elective |
| Commission an electronic system | Elective |
| Construct aerial cable supports | Elective |
| Control traffic with stop-slow bat | Elective |
| Cut over metallic conductor cable in the access network | Elective |
| Design communications wiring systems for customer premises | Elective |
| Enter and work in confined spaces | Elective |
| Haul underground cable for installation and maintenance work | Elective |
| Identify, locate and protect underground services | Elective |
| Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Implement traffic management plan | Elective |
| Inspect, clean and handle optical fibre cable and connectors | Elective |
| Install a cable broadband multi-dwelling unit system | Elective |
| Install a complex digital reception system | Elective |
| Install aerial and underground cable lead-ins | Elective |
| Install aerial cable for communications applications | Elective |
| Install and cut over metallic conductor cable to access network cabinet | Elective |
| Install and terminate coaxial cable | Elective |
| Install and terminate hard-line coaxial cable | Elective |
| Install and test internet protocol devices in convergence networks | Elective |
| Install lead-in module and cable for fibre to the premises | Elective |
| Install optical fibre splitters in fibre distribution hubs | Elective |
| Install ribbon fibre cable in the FTTX distribution network | Elective |
| Install telecommunications network equipment | Elective |
| Install underground cable for communications applications | Elective |
| Install underground enclosures and conduit | Elective |
| Install, configure and test an internet protocol network | Elective |
| Install, maintain and modify customer premises communications cabling: ACMA Open Rule | Elective |
| Install, maintain and modify customer premises communications cabling: ACMA Restricted Rule | Elective |
| Install, test and terminate optical fibre cable on customer premises | Elective |
| Joint metallic conductor cable in access network | Elective |
| Jumper metallic conductor cable in the access network | Elective |
| Locate and identify cable system faults | Elective |
| Locate, identify and rectify copper cable faults | Elective |
| Maintain hybrid fibre coaxial broadband cable network | Elective |
| Modify and cutover cable | Elective |
| Operate a forklift | Elective |
| Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Perform tests on optical communication system and components | Elective |
| Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation | Elective |
| Provide telecommunications services safely on roofs | Elective |
| Rearrange large size copper cable | Elective |
| Remove and replace electronic circuit boards in carrier equipment | Elective |
| Remove non-friable asbestos | Elective |
| Splice and terminate optical fibre cable for telecommunications projects | Elective |
| Supervise worksite activities | Elective |
| Use explosive power tools | Elective |
| Use optical measuring instruments | Elective |
| Use radio frequency measuring instruments | Elective |
| Work effectively in the digital and telecommunications industry | Elective |
| Work on and resolve recurrent network faults | Elective |
| Work safely at heights | Elective |
| Work safely in the construction industry | Elective |
| Work safely near power infrastructure at a telecommunications workplace | Elective |
| Work safely on live optical fibre installations | Elective |
| Working safely near live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in Telecommunications Network Build and Operation sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Electrical Linesworker
ANZSCO 342211
Electrical Linesworkers install, maintain, repair and patrol electrical sub-transmission and distribution systems.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Electronic Equipment Trades Worker
ANZSCO 342313
Electronic Equipment Trades Workers install, maintain and repair electronic equipment and systems such as audio and visual reproduction equipment, home entertainment systems, computers and electronic security systems.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Cabler (Data and Telecommunications)
ANZSCO 342411
Cablers (Data and Telecommunications) install internal telecommunications and data cabling, equipment and peripherals for computer networks, telephony, cable television and monitored security and fire alarms.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Telecommunications Cable Jointer
ANZSCO 342412
Telecommunications Cable Jointers joint, terminate and repair copper and fibre optic telecommunications cables installed in underground pipes, trenches and overhead systems.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Telecommunications Linesworker
ANZSCO 342413
Telecommunications Linesworkers install, maintain and repair external telecommunication equipment such as aerial lines, conduits and underground cables, radio and mobile phone antennae, and limited items of terminal equipment.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Telecommunications Technician
ANZSCO 342414
Telecommunications Technicians install, maintain and repair telecommunications equipment and appliances, such as telephones, mobile telephones, switchboards and data transmission equipment, in homes, businesses, telephone exchanges and other network sites.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Electrical and Telecommunications Trades Assistant
ANZSCO 899914
Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistants assist Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trades Workers to install and maintain electrical and telecommunications systems.
Recommended education level:
Certificate I or secondary education
Training providers delivering Certificate III in Telecommunications Network Build and Operation
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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Comtech Group (RTO code 90933)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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J B Hunter (RTO code 90277)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Milcom Institute (RTO code 6859)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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1 SDO TRAINING PTY LTD (RTO code 41558)
Contact this provider
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PM SQUARED (RTO code 41304)
Contact this provider
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TELECOM TRAINING AUSTRALIA (RTO code 46606)
Contact this provider
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The Australian Academy of Media (RTO code 45017)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.