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 reflects the role of advanced operators and operations technicians who use production equipment to directly produce product. At this level, operators/technicians undertake advanced operations, typically of integrated plant units in accordance with the operating procedures and apply their knowledge to anticipate problems. They are expected to solve a range of foreseen and unforeseen problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems that do not have a known solution or a solution recorded in the procedures.
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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:
2 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Adjust batch | Elective |
| Apply 5S procedures | Elective |
| Apply cost factors to work practices | Elective |
| Assess and secure an incident site | Elective |
| Assess risk | 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 |
| Communicate and monitor pipeline activities | Elective |
| Conduct artificial lift | Elective |
| Conduct calcinations activities | Elective |
| Conduct hazard analysis | Elective |
| Conduct local risk control | Elective |
| Conduct pipeline pigging | Elective |
| Conduct precipitation operations | Elective |
| Conduct screening operations | Elective |
| Conduct thickening and clarifying process | Elective |
| Contribute to assessment | Elective |
| Contribute to the application of a proactive maintenance strategy | Elective |
| Contribute to the development of workplace documentation | Elective |
| Control corrosion | Elective |
| Control gas odourisation | Elective |
| Control minor incidents | Elective |
| Control the risks of falls | Elective |
| Create and conduct isolations in the workplace | Elective |
| Deliver molten metal | Elective |
| Develop and adjust a production schedule | Elective |
| Disconnect and reconnect non-flared tube fitting joints | Elective |
| Enter confined space | Elective |
| Facilitate a team | Elective |
| Facilitate the implementation of WHS for a work group | Elective |
| Follow WHS procedures | Elective |
| Form carbon anodes | Elective |
| Gas test atmospheres | Elective |
| Generate electrical power | Elective |
| Identify and apply process improvements | Elective |
| Identify equipment faults | Elective |
| Interpret process plant schematics | Elective |
| Interpret technical drawing | Elective |
| Investigate incidents | Elective |
| Issue work permits | Elective |
| Lead emergency teams | Elective |
| Licence to operate a standard boiler | Elective |
| Licence to operate a steam turbine | Elective |
| Licence to operate an advanced boiler | Elective |
| Maintain pipeline easements | Elective |
| Manage communication systems during an incident | Elective |
| Manage incident response information | Elective |
| Manage plant shutdown and restart | Elective |
| Match and adjust colour | Elective |
| Monitor and control repairs and modifications on operational pipe | Elective |
| Monitor and control work permits | Elective |
| Monitor and maintain cathodic protection systems | Elective |
| Monitor and operate low pressure compressors | Elective |
| Monitor chemical reactions in the process | Elective |
| Monitor continuous process plant | Elective |
| Monitor process capability | Elective |
| Monitor vibration | Elective |
| Monitor wells and gathering systems | Elective |
| Monitor, operate and maintain pipeline stations and equipment | Elective |
| Observe permit work | Elective |
| Operate a biochemical process | Elective |
| Operate a forklift | Elective |
| Operate and monitor basic boiler | Elective |
| Operate and monitor prime movers | Elective |
| Operate and monitor pumping systems and equipment | Elective |
| Operate and monitor valve systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot compressor systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot condensate stabilisation systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot cooling water systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot cryogenic processes | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot distillation system | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot drain and vent systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot export systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot fixed-bed adsorption system | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot flare systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot fuel systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot furnaces to induce reaction | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot gas absorption system | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot gas treatment process | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot gas turbine system | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot heating furnace | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot heating medium/hot oil systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot hydraulic systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot inert gas generation systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot instrument and plant air systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot liquefaction process | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot liquid extraction system | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot process control systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot process measurement and control systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot produced water and water injection systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot production unit | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot reactors and reaction equipment | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot turret swivel systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot water treatment systems | Elective |
| Operate and troubleshoot wells and gathering systems | Elective |
| Operate breathing apparatus | Elective |
| Operate bulk solids loading equipment | Elective |
| Operate cell tending equipment | Elective |
| Operate chemical separation equipment | Elective |
| Operate communications hub | Elective |
| Operate complex control systems | Elective |
| Operate control panel during an emergency | Elective |
| Operate crushing equipment | Elective |
| Operate digestion equipment | Elective |
| Operate equipment | 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 offshore cranes | Elective |
| Operate powered separation equipment | Elective |
| Operate reduction cells | Elective |
| Operate safety, protection and shutdown systems | Elective |
| Operate separation equipment | Elective |
| Operate solids handling equipment | Elective |
| Operate solids handling/storage facility | Elective |
| Operate vehicles in the field | Elective |
| Operate vertical direct casting process | Elective |
| Operate wet milling equipment | Elective |
| Organise and communicate information | Elective |
| Organise storage and logistics of general materials | Elective |
| Package product/material | Elective |
| Perform basic tests | Elective |
| Perform computations | Elective |
| Perform engineering measurements | Elective |
| Prepare and isolate plant | Elective |
| Prepare basic engineering drawing | Elective |
| Prepare equipment for emergency response | Elective |
| Process and record information | Elective |
| Process design fundamentals | Elective |
| Provide Advanced First Aid | Elective |
| Provide coaching/mentoring in the workplace | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Provide First Aid in remote or isolated site | Elective |
| Provide fluids for utilities and support | Elective |
| Provide work skill instruction | Elective |
| Read dials and indicators | Elective |
| Respond to a helideck incident | Elective |
| Sample and test materials and product | Elective |
| Select and prepare materials | Elective |
| Select and use utilities and services | Elective |
| Shut down and isolate machines/equipment | 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 bulk fluids into/out of storage facility | Elective |
| Undertake fire control and emergency rescue | Elective |
| Undertake first response to fire incidents | Elective |
| Undertake first response to non-fire incidents | Elective |
| Undertake initial rescue | Elective |
| Undertake manual handling | Elective |
| Undertake minor maintenance | Elective |
| Undertake root cause analysis | Elective |
| Undertake ship transfer operations | Elective |
| Undertake well management | Elective |
| Use equipment | Elective |
| Use organisation computers or data systems | Elective |
| Use planning software systems in operations | Elective |
| Use structured problem-solving tools | Elective |
| Work effectively with diversity | Elective |
| Work in a team | Elective |
| Work in accordance with an issued permit | Elective |
| Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III 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 -
Power Generation Plant Operator
ANZSCO 399213
Power Generation Plant Operators operate boilers, turbogenerators and associated plant to generate electrical power.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
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 -
Bulk Materials Handling Plant Operator
ANZSCO 712912
Bulk Materials Handling Plant Operators operate plants to load, unload, move, store and stack bulk materials such as grain, sugar and mineral ore.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Cement Production Plant Operator
ANZSCO 712913
Cement Production Plant Operators operate plants to produce cement, lime and clinker.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Certificate III 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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TAFE QUEENSLAND (RTO code 0275)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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CQUniversity Australia (RTO code 40939)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Skillstrain Pty Ltd (RTO code 70211)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Animal Industry Training Services (RTO code 32146)
Contact this provider
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Australian Skills Group Pty Ltd (RTO code 32519)
Contact this provider
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Calibre Training & Development Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Calibre Unit Trust (RTO code 32394)
Contact this provider
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Competitive Solutions Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 45293)
Contact this provider
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Complete Lean Solutions Pty Ltd (RTO code 21884)
Contact this provider
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Dalton Training Services (RTO code 52072)
Contact this provider
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ELEVATED TRAINING PTY LTD (RTO code 41554)
Contact this provider
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Halo Nation Training Pty Ltd (RTO code 32485)
Contact this provider
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Harness Energy Services Pty Ltd (RTO code 40521)
Contact this provider
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Health Security & Education Pty Ltd as trustee for Health Security & Education Unit Trust (RTO code 40907)
Contact this provider
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Precision Training Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 91808)
Contact this provider
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Professional Training Solutions (RTO code 46134)
Contact this provider
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Queensland Alumina Limited (RTO code 31702)
Contact this provider
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TAFE International Western Australia (RTO code 52395)
Contact this provider
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Training Professionals Pty Ltd (RTO code 31955)
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.