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
-
Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:
*To be eligible for this funding, you have to do an apprenticeship.
-
-
Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
-
VET Student Loans are not available
-
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.
-
-
On-the-job training
- Completing this course through an apprenticeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
These apprenticeships are available:
-
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.
- Through apprenticeship:
3 years
- Through apprenticeship:
-
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 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.
-
PARTEC (RTO code 0195)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
-
APEX BELTING (RTO code 21921)
Contact this provider
-
CHD PARTNERS PTY LIMITED (RTO code 40779)
Contact this provider
-
Civil Safety (RTO code 32381)
Contact this provider
-
National Food Institute (RTO code 3821)
Contact this provider
-
QPTS (RTO code 40804)
Contact this provider
-
TAFE NSW (RTO code 90003)
Contact this provider
-
Toolbox Training Solutions Pty Ltd (RTO code 46621)
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.