Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations

RII30120

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 such as production operators, working in open cut coal or metalliferous mines or quarries, who perform tasks involving a broad range of skilled applications in a varied work context, using some discretion and judgement in selecting equipment, services or contingency measures.

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.

  • Financial help

    • Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:

      • Career Start (traineeship)

      *To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.

      Check your eligibility

  • 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 a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.

    This traineeship is available:

    • Surface Extraction Operations Level III

  • 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 traineeship:
      2 years
    • Qualification only:
      1–2 years

  • 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 risk management processes Core
Identify and assess environmental and heritage concerns Core
Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures Core
Activate and deactivate autonomous systems Elective
Apply site risk management system Elective
Assess ground conditions Elective
Blend stockpile materials Elective
Build and maintain routes for autonomous operations Elective
Communicate information Elective
Communicate workplace information Elective
Comply with site work processes/procedures Elective
Conduct a blast survey Elective
Conduct articulated haul truck operations Elective
Conduct auger miner operations Elective
Conduct backhoe/loader operations Elective
Conduct belly dump truck operations Elective
Conduct bulk water truck operations Elective
Conduct coal stockpile dozer operations Elective
Conduct conventional core drilling Elective
Conduct conveyor-car high wall mining operations Elective
Conduct crushing and screening plant operations Elective
Conduct down-hole hammer drilling Elective
Conduct dragline operations Elective
Conduct dredging operations Elective
Conduct face loader operations Elective
Conduct grader operations Elective
Conduct hazard analysis Elective
Conduct hydraulic excavator operations Elective
Conduct hydraulic shovel operations Elective
Conduct intermediate scaffolding operations Elective
Conduct local geotechnical risk control in surface operations Elective
Conduct operations with integrated tool carrier Elective
Conduct operations with stockpile dozer Elective
Conduct rigid haul truck operations Elective
Conduct rope shovel operations Elective
Conduct safety and health investigations Elective
Conduct sand wash plant operations Elective
Conduct scraper operations Elective
Conduct secondary blasting Elective
Conduct skid steer loader operations using attachments Elective
Conduct skid steer loader operations without attachments Elective
Conduct slewing crane operations Elective
Conduct stockpile reclaiming operations Elective
Conduct surface blast hole drilling operations Elective
Conduct surface miner operations Elective
Conduct surface shotfiring operations Elective
Conduct telescopic materials handler operations Elective
Conduct tip truck operations Elective
Conduct tracked dozer operations Elective
Conduct weighbridge operations Elective
Conduct wheel loader operations Elective
Conduct wheeled dozer operations Elective
Construct and maintain roads Elective
Construct conservation earthworks Elective
Control and monitor automated plant/machinery Elective
Coordinate and interact with autonomous systems Elective
Drive heavy combination vehicle Elective
Drive heavy rigid vehicle Elective
Extricate and transport people involved in incidents Elective
Implement biological reintroduction works Elective
Install, commission and maintain major conveyor equipment and systems Elective
Issue work permits Elective
Lay and recover cables and hoses Elective
Licence to drive a heavy combination vehicle Elective
Licence to drive a heavy rigid vehicle Elective
Licence to drive a multi-combination vehicle Elective
Licence to erect, alter and dismantle scaffolding basic level Elective
Licence to erect, alter and dismantle scaffolding intermediate level Elective
Licence to operate a boom-type elevating work platform (boom length 11 metres or more) Elective
Licence to operate a bridge and gantry crane Elective
Licence to operate a slewing mobile crane (up to 20 tonnes) Elective
Licence to operate a vehicle loading crane (capacity 10 metre tonnes and above) Elective
Licence to perform dogging Elective
Maintain and monitor site quality standards Elective
Maintain stockpiles Elective
Monitor site production activities Elective
Move and position materials to form stockpiles Elective
Operate a gantry or overhead crane Elective
Operate a heavy rigid vehicle Elective
Operate a light vehicle Elective
Operate a mine service vehicle Elective
Operate a vehicle loading crane Elective
Operate and maintain a four wheel drive vehicle Elective
Operate elevating work platform Elective
Operate equipment in autonomous environments Elective
Operate multi-combination vehicle Elective
Operate plant/machinery on live stockpiles Elective
Perform basic tests Elective
Perform dogging Elective
Perform process control room operations Elective
Plan and conduct laboratory/field work Elective
Process and interpret data Elective
Promote innovation in team environments Elective
Provide First Aid Elective
Provide support for rescue operations Elective
Purchase goods and services Elective
Respond to local emergencies and incidents Elective
Respond to obstructions to autonomous operations Elective
Respond to site based spills Elective
Respond to work site incidents Elective
Service and maintain conveyors, feeders and hoppers Elective
Service and maintain crushers Elective
Service and maintain pumps Elective
Service and maintain screens Elective
Shutdown dredge for operator maintenance Elective
Store, handle and transport explosives Elective
Support shotfiring operations Elective
Take environmental samples and measurements Elective
Test operational functions of vehicles and equipment Elective
Use inclusive work practices Elective
Work safely in autonomous environments Elective
Work safely with instruments that emit ionising radiation Elective
Work safely with remotely piloted aircraft systems Elective

Job prospects

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

  • Driller

    ANZSCO 712211

    Drillers assemble, position and operate drilling rigs and related equipment, to extract ore, liquids or gases from the earth.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • 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

  • Shot Firer

    ANZSCO 712213

    Shot Firers assemble, position and detonate explosives at mining or demolition sites.

    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

  • 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

Training providers delivering Certificate III 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.

Showing: 105 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.
Back to top