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
The PMA20116 Certificate II in Process Plant Operations is a technical qualification for operators in the hydrocarbons, petrochemical, chemical, metal/ore processing and related process manufacturing industry sectors. It is intended for competent operators who operate production equipment or undertake similar roles directly producing products. The operator would apply a breadth and depth of knowledge to a defined range of situations and would be expected to apply this knowledge to solve a defined range of problems by applying known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems.
Other non-technical Certificate II qualifications are available for production support employees at this level, such as MSM20116 Certificate II in Process Manufacturing.
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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:
1 year - Qualification only:
6 months – 1 year
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Apply workplace context to own job | Core |
| Communicate in the workplace | Core |
| Follow emergency response procedures | Core |
| Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | Core |
| Work safely | Core |
| Achieve work outcomes | Elective |
| Apply 5S procedures | Elective |
| Apply cost factors to work practices | Elective |
| Apply Good Manufacturing Practice requirements | Elective |
| Apply offshore facility abandonment and sea survival procedures and practices | Elective |
| Apply quality standards | Elective |
| Bake carbon anodes | Elective |
| Break and make flanged joints using hand tools | Elective |
| Cast ingots | Elective |
| Clean and strip anode rods | Elective |
| Clean workplace or equipment | Elective |
| Collect routine site samples | Elective |
| Conduct hazard analysis | Elective |
| Conduct screening operations | Elective |
| Contribute to the application of a proactive maintenance strategy | Elective |
| Control evacuation to muster point | Elective |
| Control gas odourisation | Elective |
| Control minor incidents | Elective |
| Control the risks of falls | Elective |
| Deliver molten metal | Elective |
| Disconnect and reconnect non-flared tube fitting joints | Elective |
| Enter confined space | Elective |
| Follow WHS procedures | Elective |
| Follow work procedures to maintain Good Manufacturing Practice requirements | Elective |
| Form carbon anodes | Elective |
| Gas test atmospheres | Elective |
| Handle goods | Elective |
| Identify and minimise environmental hazards | Elective |
| Interpret process plant schematics | Elective |
| Interpret product costs in terms of customer requirements | Elective |
| Interpret technical drawing | Elective |
| Maintain pipeline easements | Elective |
| Manage conflict at work | Elective |
| Monitor and control work permits | Elective |
| Monitor and maintain pipeline coatings | Elective |
| Monitor and operate flare systems | Elective |
| Monitor and operate low pressure compressors | Elective |
| Monitor chemical reactions in the process | Elective |
| Monitor continuous process plant | Elective |
| Monitor pipeline civil works | Elective |
| Monitor process capability | Elective |
| Monitor wells and gathering systems | Elective |
| Monitor, operate and maintain pipeline stations and equipment | Elective |
| Move materials | Elective |
| Observe permit work | Elective |
| Operate a forklift | Elective |
| Operate and monitor gas production plant | Elective |
| Operate and monitor prime movers | Elective |
| Operate and monitor pumping systems and equipment | Elective |
| Operate and monitor valve systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot gas turbine system | Elective |
| Operate as a team member to conduct manufacturing, engineering or related activities | Elective |
| Operate breathing apparatus | Elective |
| Operate bulk solids loading equipment | Elective |
| Operate cell tending equipment | Elective |
| Operate chemical separation equipment | Elective |
| Operate crushing equipment | Elective |
| Operate digestion equipment | Elective |
| Operate equipment | Elective |
| Operate equipment to blend/mix materials | Elective |
| Operate filtration equipment | Elective |
| Operate fluid flow equipment | Elective |
| Operate fluid mixing equipment | Elective |
| Operate grinding equipment | Elective |
| Operate heat exchangers | Elective |
| Operate Joule-Thomson effect device | Elective |
| Operate local control system | Elective |
| Operate melting furnaces | Elective |
| Operate powered separation equipment | Elective |
| Operate reduction cells | Elective |
| Operate separation equipment | Elective |
| Operate solids handling equipment | Elective |
| Operate solvent extraction equipment | Elective |
| Operate vehicles in the field | Elective |
| Operate vertical direct casting process | Elective |
| Operate wet milling equipment | Elective |
| Pack products or materials | Elective |
| Package product/material | Elective |
| Participate in continuous improvement | Elective |
| Perform routine manual metal arc welding | Elective |
| Perform tasks to support production | Elective |
| Prepare and isolate plant | Elective |
| Prepare equipment for emergency response | Elective |
| Process and record information | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Provide fluids for utilities and support | Elective |
| Read dials and indicators | Elective |
| Sample and test materials and product | Elective |
| Select and prepare materials | Elective |
| Select and use utilities and services | Elective |
| Spray carbon anodes | Elective |
| Start up reduction cells | Elective |
| Store fluids in bulk | Elective |
| Supply product from reduction cells | Elective |
| Sustain process improvements | Elective |
| Transfer loads | Elective |
| Undertake crane, dogging and load transfer operations | Elective |
| Undertake fire control and emergency rescue | Elective |
| Undertake first response to fire incidents | Elective |
| Undertake first response to non-fire incidents | Elective |
| Undertake helicopter safety and escape | Elective |
| Undertake manual handling | Elective |
| Undertake minor maintenance | Elective |
| Undertake root cause analysis | Elective |
| Use equipment | Elective |
| Use organisation computers or data systems | Elective |
| Use planning software systems in operations | Elective |
| Work in a team | Elective |
| Work in accordance with an issued permit | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate II in Process Plant Operations sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Chemical Plant Operator
ANZSCO 399211
Chemical Plant Operators control the operation of chemical production plant.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Gas and Petroleum Operator
ANZSCO 399212
Gas or Petroleum Operators operate equipment to pump oil and gas from wellheads, and refine and process petroleum products.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Plastic Cablemaking Machine Operator
ANZSCO 711511
Plastic Cablemaking Machine Operators operate extruding machines to encase wire, cord, cable and optic fibre in plastic or rubber.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operator
ANZSCO 711512
Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operators operate mixing and grinding machines to prepare plastic powders and liquid blends, and recycle waste plastic materials from factory operations.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Plastics Fabricator and Welder
ANZSCO 711513
Plastics Fabricator or Welders operate machines to measure, cut, shape, fit and assemble plastics materials to produce plastic products.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Plastics Production Machine Operator (General)
ANZSCO 711514
Plastics Production Machine Operators (General) operate extruding, injection moulding and blow moulding machines to produce finished plastic products.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker
ANZSCO 711515
Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Workers operate machines to apply gelcoat, colouring and fibre reinforced plastic to moulds, in order to produce fibreglass and laminated products.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Rubber Production Machine Operator
ANZSCO 711516
Rubber Production Machine Operators operate machines to manufacture rubber products, such as tyres.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Hide and Skin Processing Machine Operator
ANZSCO 711712
Hide and Skin Processing Machine Operators operate machines to convert raw hides and skins into finished leather for use in clothing, footwear and upholstery.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Other Textile and Footwear Production Machine Operator
ANZSCO 711799
Other Textile and Footwear Production Machine Operators includes jobs like Feltmaker, Net Maker, Rope Making Machine Operator, and Tufting Machine Operator.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Chemical Production Machine Operator
ANZSCO 711911
Chemical Production Machine Operators operate machines to produce chemical goods such as soaps, detergents, pharmaceuticals, toiletries and explosives.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Certificate II in Process Plant Operations
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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CQUniversity Australia (RTO code 40939)
Contact this provider
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Martyr Training Services Pty Ltd (RTO code 31279)
Contact this provider
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Volt Edge (RTO code 32137)
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.