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Certificate II · national qualification

Certificate II in Surface Extraction Operations

This qualification prepares you for entry-level work as an operator in an open cut coal mine, a metalliferous mine or a quarry, doing tasks that follow set routines and procedures.

Compare 10 providers
How long it takes
6 to 12 months
typical for this level
Taught by
10 providers
Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

What the Certificate II in Surface Extraction Operations asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

  • an interest in working outdoors with heavy machinery
  • a careful approach to safety procedures and site rules
  • good teamwork skills for working with a crew
  • a willingness to follow set routines and check your own work

Before you start

The qualification has no set entry requirements, but each provider can add its own.

Certificate II or Certificate III?

Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations is the higher level. This Certificate II prepares you for entry-level operator work, following set routines and procedures, and taking some responsibility for the quality of your work.

See the course

Where this course can take you

No job needs this course on its own, but it can help with the work below.

Jobs this course can help with

None of these jobs needs a set qualification.

  • Miner

    Miners extract coal, metal ore and other minerals, running the drills, machinery and blasts that break and move rock at open-cut and underground sites.

    Median pay$151,200

    In demand

  • Mining Labourer

    Mining labourers do the manual work on a mine site, keeping plant fuelled, work areas clear and extraction crews supplied.

    Median pay$96,200 (estimate)

    In demand

If you study further

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.

Where you can study this course

There are 10 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

What you’ll learn

The main topics covered in the Certificate II in Surface Extraction Operations.

  • Working safely on site
  • Following site procedures
  • Operating plant and equipment
  • Using hand and power tools
  • Communicating with a crew
  • Checking quality of work

Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

Questions people ask

Who is this qualification for?

It prepares you for entry-level operator work in open cut coal mines, metalliferous mines or quarries, following set routines and procedures. You take some responsibility for the quality of your work.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

This qualification has no entry requirements. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.

How is it different from Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations?

Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations is the higher level. This Certificate II prepares you for entry-level operator work, following set routines and procedures, and taking some responsibility for the quality of your work.

Related courses

The national training register, training.gov.au. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.