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 senior operators and polymer technicians who may be process-based and directly involved in production or they may be based elsewhere, although they will typically still have functions on the production floor. They apply theoretical and technical knowledge and well-developed skills in situations that require autonomy, discretion and judgement, such as product and process improvements and trialling. Senior operators and polymer technicians will solve complex problems which require in depth theoretical knowledge combined with an understanding of the production process and equipment.
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.
This apprenticeship is 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:
4 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 |
| Analyse equipment performance | Elective |
| Analyse production trials | Elective |
| Analyse the design of products and tools for polymer injection moulding | Elective |
| Apply 5S procedures | Elective |
| Apply gel coat or other polymer surface finish | Elective |
| Apply statistics to operational processes | Elective |
| Assemble materials and equipment for production | Elective |
| Bond polymers to surfaces | Elective |
| Change extrusion die and calibrator | Elective |
| Construct jigs and fixtures | Elective |
| Construct moulds for composite products | Elective |
| Contribute to the development of workplace documentation | Elective |
| Contribute to WHS management system | Elective |
| Coordinate maintenance | Elective |
| Create composite laminates using hand lay-up techniques | Elective |
| Cut plastic materials | Elective |
| Cut rubber materials | Elective |
| Demould polymer products | Elective |
| Develop and adjust a production schedule | Elective |
| Develop and monitor quality systems | Elective |
| Develop fibre-composite products using cored-laminate techniques | Elective |
| Develop polymer product patterns | Elective |
| Diagnose production equipment problems | Elective |
| Fabricate products with rubber or plastics | Elective |
| Facilitate a team | Elective |
| Finish components and products | Elective |
| Finish composite products | Elective |
| Hand mix materials | Elective |
| Identify and apply process improvements | Elective |
| Identify equipment faults | Elective |
| Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices | 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 out and cut materials | Elective |
| Maintain and organise workplace records | Elective |
| Make minor modifications to products | Elective |
| Make moulds for thermoformed products | Elective |
| Make pattern or plug for composites moulds | Elective |
| Modify existing compounds | Elective |
| Monitor process capability | 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 ancillary equipment | Elective |
| Operate computer-aided design (CAD) system to produce basic drawing elements | Elective |
| Operate equipment | Elective |
| Operate hand-held air or power equipment for production processes | Elective |
| Operate multi-axis router | Elective |
| Operate portable vulcanising equipment | Elective |
| Optimise polymer processing operations | Elective |
| Optimise process/plant area | Elective |
| Organise and communicate information | Elective |
| Participate in continuous improvement | Elective |
| Perform basic statistical quality control | Elective |
| Perform computations | Elective |
| Perform engineering measurements | Elective |
| Predict polymer properties and characteristics | Elective |
| Prepare and start equipment for production | Elective |
| Prepare basic engineering drawing | 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 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 resin infusion | Elective |
| Produce composites using resin transfer moulding | Elective |
| Produce composites using vacuum bagging | Elective |
| Produce extruded polymer products | 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 rotational moulded products | Elective |
| Produce sheet-fed vacuum-formed products | 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 |
| Rework product imperfections | Elective |
| Sample and test materials and product | Elective |
| Set a die for injection moulding production | Elective |
| Set advanced or complex injection moulding dies | Elective |
| Set up and prepare for batch production | Elective |
| Set up equipment for continuous operation | Elective |
| Shift materials safely by hand | Elective |
| Shut down plant area | 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 |
| Transfer loads | Elective |
| Trial a new injection moulding die | Elective |
| Trial a new production mould assembly | Elective |
| Trial new process or product | Elective |
| Undertake manual handling | Elective |
| Undertake minor maintenance | Elective |
| Use computer-aided design (CAD) to create and display 3-D models | Elective |
| Use materials and process knowledge to complete work operations | Elective |
| Use organisation computers or data systems | Elective |
| Use structured problem-solving tools | 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 IV in Polymer Technology sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
-
Manufacturing Production Manager
ANZSCO 133512
Manufacturing Production Managers manage the manufacturing activities of organisations.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Plastics Technician
ANZSCO 399916
Plastics Technicians set up, adjust, repair and troubleshoot machines which manufacture plastics products.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
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
Training providers delivering Certificate IV in Polymer Technology
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
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.