Certificate III in Polymer Processing

PMB30121

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 technicians who use production equipment to produce polymer products and components. They apply theoretical and technical knowledge and well-developed skills, exercising judgement in areas such as start-up, shutdown procedures and quality assurance. Operators apply their product and process knowledge to anticipate and solve a range of product variances and/or product faults.

Products and components may be for commercial, industrial or consumer markets and be made from natural or synthetic polymers covering thermoplastics as well as thermosetting polymers. Production may be long runs of standard products, short runs, or ‘one offs’ of specialised products.

There are no specific licenses that relate to this qualification. However, some units in this qualification may have licensing or regulatory requirements in some jurisdictions. Local regulations should be checked for details.

  • Financial help

  • Cost

    Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.

    To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.

  • On-the-job training

    These apprenticeships are available:

    • Blow Moulding Operator
    • Blown Film Operator
    • Composites Technician
    • Extrusion Technician
    • Injection Moulding Technician
    • Polyurethane Products Manufacturer
    • Rotational Moulding Operator
    • Plastics Fabricator
    • Conveyor Belt Technician
  • Entry requirements

    This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.

  • Duration

    You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.

  • Delivery options

    You may be able to access this training in these ways:

    • Workplace-based
    • Some classroom learning
    • Part-time available
    • Partially online
    • Practical learning

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 quality standards Core
Achieve work outcomes Elective
Apply 5S procedures Elective
Apply gel coat or other polymer surface finish Elective
Apply liquid surface coatings Elective
Apply workplace context to own job Elective
Assemble materials and equipment for production Elective
Bond polymers to surfaces Elective
Build fabric-reinforced conveyor belts Elective
Bunch and strand wire Elective
Change extrusion die and calibrator Elective
Communicate in the workplace Elective
Construct jigs and fixtures Elective
Construct moulds for composite products Elective
Create composite laminates using hand lay-up techniques Elective
Create composite laminates using vacuum-assisted closed-moulding processes Elective
Cure heavy off-the-road tyre repairs Elective
Cut rubber materials Elective
Demould polymer products Elective
Design plastic pipelines for high temperature and pressure applications Elective
Design polyethylene plastic pipelines for non-pressure drainage Elective
Design polyethylene plastic pipelines for pressurised applications Elective
Design PVC plastic pipelines for pressure applications Elective
Develop polymer product patterns Elective
Draw wire Elective
Fabricate products with rubber or plastics Elective
Finish components and products Elective
Finish composite products Elective
Finish heavy off-the-road tyre repairs Elective
Fit attachments and assemble components for customised polymer products Elective
Follow WHS procedures Elective
Hand decorate products Elective
Hand mix materials Elective
Identify and apply process improvements Elective
Identify equipment faults Elective
Inspect heavy off-the-road tyres Elective
Inspect tyres Elective
Install plastic pipelines for high temperature applications Elective
Install polyethylene plastic pipelines for non-pressure drainage Elective
Install polyethylene plastic pipelines for pressurised applications Elective
Install PVC plastic pipelines for pressurised applications Elective
Install rubber lining or pulley lagging using lay-up techniques Elective
Interpret technical drawing Elective
Join polyethylene plastic pipelines using butt welding Elective
Join polyethylene plastic pipelines using electrofusion welding Elective
Lay on tyre retreads Elective
Lay out and cut materials Elective
Make measurements Elective
Make moulds for thermoformed products Elective
Make pattern or plug for composites moulds Elective
Mould composites products using hand lay-up techniques Elective
Mould composites with chemically-resistant or fire-retardant properties Elective
Operate a chopper gun to lay-up composites Elective
Operate an open mill blender Elective
Operate ancillary equipment Elective
Operate blown film equipment Elective
Operate cable winding equipment Elective
Operate computer-aided design (CAD) system to produce basic drawing elements Elective
Operate continuous vulcanising equipment Elective
Operate equipment Elective
Operate hand-held air or power equipment for production processes Elective
Operate injection moulding equipment Elective
Operate multi-axis router Elective
Operate polymer compounding equipment Elective
Operate polymer extruders Elective
Operate portable vulcanising equipment Elective
Operate rotational moulding equipment Elective
Operate rubber calendering equipment Elective
Optimise polymer processing operations Elective
Organise and communicate information Elective
Organise on-site work Elective
Participate in continuous improvement Elective
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices Elective
Perform computations Elective
Perform creel rack operations for belting production Elective
Perform engineering measurements Elective
Perform routine gas metal arc welding Elective
Perform tasks to support production Elective
Prepare and start equipment for production Elective
Prepare heavy off-the-road tyres for repair Elective
Prepare moulds for composites production Elective
Prepare polymer materials to specified formulae Elective
Prepare surfaces for coating Elective
Process and record information Elective
Produce blow moulded products Elective
Produce blown film Elective
Produce cable and tape lay-up cables Elective
Produce calendered rubber or vinyl products Elective
Produce composite products using cored-laminate techniques Elective
Produce composites products using mechanised open mould wet lay-up Elective
Produce composites using filament winding Elective
Produce composites using prepregs Elective
Produce composites using resin infusion Elective
Produce composites using resin transfer moulding Elective
Produce composites using vacuum bagging Elective
Produce compounded materials Elective
Produce extruded polymer products Elective
Produce freehand sketches Elective
Produce injection blow moulded products Elective
Produce injection moulded products Elective
Produce polyurethane products using centrifugal casting Elective
Produce polyurethane products using gravity casting Elective
Produce products Elective
Produce rotational moulded products Elective
Produce sheet-fed vacuum-formed products Elective
Produce steel cord-reinforced conveyor belts Elective
Produce thermoset composites using pultrusion Elective
Program computer-controlled equipment Elective
Provide coaching/mentoring in the workplace Elective
Reassemble production mould components Elective
Remove and replace conveyor belts Elective
Repair conveyor belt carcasses Elective
Repair conveyor belt covers Elective
Repair damaged fibre-composites structures Elective
Repair heavy off-the-road tyres Elective
Rework product imperfections Elective
Sample and test materials and product Elective
Set a die for injection moulding production Elective
Set up and prepare for batch production Elective
Set up equipment for continuous operation Elective
Shift materials safely by hand Elective
Splice fabric ply conveyor belts Elective
Splice solid woven conveyor belts Elective
Splice steel cord conveyor belts Elective
Take a machine out of production Elective
Test thermoset composite laminates and materials Elective
Trial a new injection moulding die Elective
Undertake manual handling Elective
Undertake minor maintenance Elective
Use computer-aided design (CAD) to create and display 3-D models Elective
Use equipment Elective
Use materials and process knowledge to complete work operations Elective
Use organisation computers or data systems Elective
Vulcanise products using an autoclave Elective
Weld plastic using extrusion techniques Elective
Weld thermoplastics materials Elective
Wind up wire or belts Elective
Work in a team Elective
Work safely Elective
Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering Elective
Work safely with industrial chemicals and materials Elective

Job prospects

The Certificate III in Polymer Processing sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.

  • Plastics Technician

    ANZSCO 399916

    Plastics Technicians set up, adjust, repair and troubleshoot machines which manufacture plastics 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 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

  • 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

  • Other Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operator

    ANZSCO 711599

    Other Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators includes jobs like Thermoforming Machine Operator.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Plastics Factory Worker

    ANZSCO 839211

    Plastics Factory Workers perform routine tasks in manufacturing plastic goods.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate I or secondary education

  • Rubber Factory Worker

    ANZSCO 839212

    Rubber Factory Workers perform routine tasks in manufacturing tyres and other rubber products.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate I or secondary education

Training providers delivering Certificate III in Polymer Processing

It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.

Showing: 8 providers

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.

Delivery locations can change as students enrol. If you're doing any workplace-based training, like an apprenticeship, this will take place in a different location from your classroom training. Contact your training provider to confirm delivery locations.
Government funding may be available. Contact your training provider to confirm.