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 individuals working as entrylevel operators in open cut coal or metalliferous mines or quarries, who perform a prescribed range of tasks involving known routines and procedures, and take some responsibility for the quality of work outcomes.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification considerations
Licensing, legislative and certification requirements that apply to this qualification can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Users must check requirements with relevant body before applying the qualification.
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Financial help
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Government funding is not available for this course.
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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.
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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 |
|---|---|
| Communicate in the workplace | Core |
| Conduct local risk control | Core |
| Participate in sustainable work practices | Core |
| Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures | Core |
| Apply initial response First Aid | Elective |
| Apply operational maintenance skills | Elective |
| Break oversize rock | Elective |
| Carry out basic levelling | Elective |
| Collect routine site samples | Elective |
| Comply with site work processes/procedures | Elective |
| Conduct basic scaffolding operations | Elective |
| Conduct blending plant operations | Elective |
| Conduct bulk water truck operations | Elective |
| Conduct conveyor operations | Elective |
| Conduct crushing operations | Elective |
| Conduct dewatering activities in surface operations | Elective |
| Conduct erosion and sediment control activities | Elective |
| Conduct lifting operations | Elective |
| Conduct mobile mixing of explosives | Elective |
| Conduct non-slewing crane operations | Elective |
| Conduct rigid haul truck operations | Elective |
| Conduct screening and conveying operations | Elective |
| Conduct stacker operations | Elective |
| Conduct weighbridge operations | Elective |
| Conduct workboat/barge operations | Elective |
| Construct conservation earthworks | Elective |
| Cut, weld and bend materials | Elective |
| Enter and work in confined spaces | Elective |
| Identify and assess environmental and heritage concerns | Elective |
| Implement biological reintroduction works | Elective |
| Isolate and access plant | Elective |
| Lay and recover cables and hoses | Elective |
| Licence to erect, alter and dismantle scaffolding basic level | Elective |
| Maintain and monitor site quality standards | Elective |
| Operate a forklift | Elective |
| Operate a light vehicle | Elective |
| Operate a medium vehicle | Elective |
| Operate and maintain a four wheel drive vehicle | Elective |
| Operate digital devices | Elective |
| Operate programmable logic control systems | Elective |
| Operate roller/compactor | Elective |
| Operate support equipment | Elective |
| Perform basic ecological restoration works | Elective |
| Perform basic rigging | Elective |
| Perform dogging | Elective |
| Perform intermediate rigging operations | Elective |
| Perform plant operational maintenance | Elective |
| Position and set up mobile lighting | Elective |
| Provide deck support for conveyor-car high wall mining operations | Elective |
| Respond to local emergencies and incidents | Elective |
| Respond to site based spills | Elective |
| Service mine plant and equipment | Elective |
| Suppress dust in open-cut environments | Elective |
| Transport plant, equipment and personnel | Elective |
| Use inclusive work practices | Elective |
| Work safely at heights | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate II in Surface Extraction Operations sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Miner
ANZSCO 712212
Miners operate plants to excavate, load and transport coal, ore and rock in an underground or open-cut mine.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Weighbridge Operator
ANZSCO 712922
Weighbridge Operators operate weighing plants and issue measurement tickets which provide readings of vehicle and livestock weight.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
ANZSCO 721211
Earthmoving Plant Operators (General) operate a range of earthmoving plants to assist with building roads, rail, water supplies, dams, treatment plants and agricultural earthworks.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Backhoe Operator
ANZSCO 721212
Backhoe Operators operate backhoes and attachments to excavate, break, drill, level and compact earth, rock and other material.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Bulldozer Operator
ANZSCO 721213
Bulldozer Operators operate bulldozers using blades and other attachments to gouge out, level and move materials in construction, forestry, mining and other projects.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Excavator Operator
ANZSCO 721214
Excavator Operators operate heavy excavation plants to excavate, move and load earth, rock and rubble.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Grader Operator
ANZSCO 721215
Grader Operators operate graders to spread and level materials in construction projects.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Loader Operator
ANZSCO 721216
Loader Operators operate motorised loaders to move and load soil, rock and other material.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Truck Driver (General)
ANZSCO 733111
Truck Drivers (General) drive heavy trucks requiring a specially endorsed class of licence, to transport bulky goods.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Certificate II in Surface Extraction 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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Academy of Career Training (RTO code 30657)
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ALL AUSSIE TRAINING Pty Ltd (RTO code 45896)
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All States Training (RTO code 32577)
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Animal Industry Training Services (RTO code 32146)
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APS Training Group (RTO code 31588)
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ASTRA Group Services Pty Ltd (RTO code 31544)
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AUSTRALIAN TRAINING MANAGEMENT (RTO code 2431)
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Boral RTO (RTO code 90403)
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Civil Safety (RTO code 32381)
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Coal Train (RTO code 32507)
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Col Joy Training Services (RTO code 6491)
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Core Crew Training (RTO code 45671)
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DOWN TO EARTH TRAINING & ASSESSING (RTO code 51199)
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Down Under Training (RTO code 30820)
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DTE Training & Safety Skills (RTO code 32328)
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ECB Training Services Pty Ltd (RTO code 41369)
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EM-Care Pty Ltd (RTO code 32509)
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Gold Training (RTO code 40515)
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Halo Nation Training Pty Ltd (RTO code 32485)
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Health Security & Education Pty Ltd as trustee for Health Security & Education Unit Trust (RTO code 40907)
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Jenagar Pty Ltd (RTO code 31963)
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Krause Health & Safety (RTO code 45398)
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LD Training (RTO code 31520)
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Macmahon Contractors Pty Ltd (RTO code 52303)
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Martyr Training Services Pty Ltd (RTO code 31279)
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Mining Skills Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 45868)
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MinRes Training Institute Pty Ltd (RTO code 40727)
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MyneSight Pty Ltd (RTO code 31900)
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NATIONAL ON SITE TRAINING (RTO code 0662)
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NATIONAL SAFETY SERVICES PTY LTD (RTO code 45092)
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New Horizons Safety and Training Services (RTO code 31372)
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Occupational Skills Centre Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 32299)
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OHSA Occupational Health Services Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 31092)
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ORICA_AUSTRALIA PTY LTD (RTO code 7113)
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Performance Training Pty Limited (RTO code 1718)
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PM SQUARED (RTO code 41304)
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Professional Training Solutions (RTO code 46134)
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Programmed Skilled Workforce (RTO code 110043)
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Queensland Training and Development Pty Ltd (RTO code 32238)
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QUEENSLAND TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS TRAINING PTY LTD (RTO code 40931)
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RTV Training (RTO code 90674)
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SDS Training (RTO code 32505)
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SkillPath (RTO code 41351)
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Southburn Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Lennon Family Trust (RTO code 1674)
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TECTRA AUSTRALIA PTY LTD (RTO code 40889)
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The Pivot Institute (RTO code 51586)
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Thrivability Training and Coaching (RTO code 51358)
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Train 365 Indigenous Corporation (RTO code 40690)
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Training & Personnel Australia (RTO code 41096)
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Training One Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 40484)
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Training Professionals Pty Ltd (RTO code 31955)
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Vertical Horizonz Australia Pty Ltd (RTO code 31160)
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Worksafe Connect (RTO code 31385)
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Yakka Training (RTO code 41176)
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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.