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 provides the skill and knowledge to work on very remote community utility systems as a remote community utilities worker in the electricity supply industry (ESI).
The qualification covers the skills and knowledge to operate, monitor and maintain generation power systems, distribution electrical network circuits and apparatus, and specialisations in power and water systems.
Combined Specialist – Power and Water Systems
This combined specialisation covers the skills and knowledge required to work on very remote community utility power and water systems.
Specialist – Power Systems
This specialisation covers the skills and knowledge required to install, operate, monitor and maintain distribution overhead and underground networks and customer connections. It also includes the skills and knowledge required to monitor and maintain renewable energy systems.
Specialist – Water Systems
This specialisation covers the skills and knowledge required to install, operate, monitor and maintain water systems.
All work on power systems will be undertaken on isolated assets other than for testing purposes.
The use of support plant and equipment to perform these tasks and environmental requirements also play a part in this qualification.
Please note: RTO to insert on the testamur, the specialisation selected from the specialist elective unit group below.
Very Remote Communities: means a community with restricted access and very little accessibility of goods, services and opportunities for social interaction. Supporting information on the classification of a very remote community can be defined using the latest version of Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) (excluding mine sites).
Isolated: Means disconnected from all possible sources of electricity supply by means that prevent unintentional energisation of the apparatus and that are assessed as a suitable step in the process of making safe for access purposes. That is for high voltage (HV) (short-circuited and earthed) and for low voltage (LV) (short-circuited to the neutral).
The application of the skills and knowledge described within the units in this qualification may require a licence/registration to practice in the workplace.
Other conditions may also apply under state and territory legislative and regulatory licensing requirements which must be confirmed prior to commencing this 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
- Apprenticeships and traineeships are not available for this course.
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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.
- Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Qualification only:
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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 |
|---|---|
| Apply environmental requirements | Core |
| Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace | Core |
| Conduct periodic maintenance of remote area power supply generator sets | Core |
| Fabricate, assemble and dismantle utilities industry components | Core |
| Maintain and repair remote area power generation facilities | Core |
| Maintain operation of remote area power generation plant | Core |
| Maintain safety and tidiness of remote area power supply systems | Core |
| Maintain, test and verify power systems in a very remote community | Core |
| Operate plant and equipment in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus | Core |
| Perform low voltage electricity network switching in a very remote community | Core |
| Solve problems in electrical network apparatus in a very remote community | Core |
| Solve problems in low voltage electrical network circuits in a very remote community | Core |
| Solve problems in multiple path circuits | Core |
| Solve problems in single path circuits | Core |
| Use drawings, diagrams, schedules, standards, codes and specifications | Core |
| Work safely in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus | Core |
| Work safely with remote area power supply systems | Core |
| Apply the risk management principles of the water industry standards, guidelines and legislation | Elective |
| Conduct periodic maintenance of remote area power supply battery banks | Elective |
| Conduct periodic maintenance of remote area power supply photovoltaic arrays | Elective |
| Conduct periodic maintenance of remote area power supply wind generators | Elective |
| Control electrical risk on metallic pipes | Elective |
| Inspect overhead poles, structures and electrical apparatus | Elective |
| Install and maintain distribution overhead conductors and cables | Elective |
| Install and maintain low voltage overhead services in a very remote community | Elective |
| Install and maintain low voltage underground services in a very remote community | Elective |
| Install and maintain poles, structures and hardware | Elective |
| Install and maintain public lighting systems in a very remote community | Elective |
| Install and replace energy meters and associated equipment in a very remote community | Elective |
| Install metering equipment | Elective |
| Joint, terminate and maintain high voltage underground polymeric cable | Elective |
| Joint, terminate and maintain low voltage underground polymeric cable | Elective |
| Lay power cables | Elective |
| Maintain and repair network assets for drinking water | Elective |
| Maintain and repair network assets for wastewater | Elective |
| Maintain catchment and surrounding areas | Elective |
| Monitor and operate groundwater extraction | Elective |
| Monitor and operate pump stations | Elective |
| Monitor and operate wastewater treatment processes | Elective |
| Monitor and operate water treatment processes | Elective |
| Perform leak detection | Elective |
| Sample and test source or drinking water | Elective |
| Sample and test wastewater | Elective |
| Use maps, plans, drawings and details | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate III in ESI - Very Remote Community Utilities sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Electrician (General)
ANZSCO 341111
Electricians (General) install, test, connect, commission, maintain and modify electrical equipment, wiring and control systems.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Electrical Linesworker
ANZSCO 342211
Electrical Linesworkers install, maintain, repair and patrol electrical sub-transmission and distribution systems.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
Water Inspector
ANZSCO 599521
Water Inspectors monitor the allocation and use of water from water resources such as streams, rivers and underground sources.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Certificate III in ESI - Very Remote Community Utilities
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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Energy Skills Solutions (RTO code 52257)
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.