HomeCoursesBuilding and constructionCertificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
This course trains you to run the heavy plant used on civil construction sites, including excavators, loaders, rollers and skid steers.
- Duration: 2 years to 3 years
- Study mode: On campus
- Course code: RII30826
Where you can study this course
- Campuses
- 11 campuses
- Duration
- 2 years to 3 years
- Study mode
- Varies by campus
- Full fee
- $14,300
- Eligible students: subsidised from $2,100, concession $240
This provider's page lists the previous version of this qualification, so check which version you would enrol in.
What students say
Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.
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Victoria University
- Campuses
- 11 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Most students praise the student support, while others find it frustrating. Many rate the facilities and campus well, and some criticise the organisation and admin.
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Charles Darwin University
- Campuses
- 12 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students often praise the facilities and campus, while some value student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on trainers and teaching, with communication also a concern.
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TAFE Gippsland
- Campuses
- 11 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
- Visit provider website → (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
- Campuses
- 30 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.
- Campuses
- 26 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students rate the trainers, teaching, facilities and campus highly, though some found the organisation, admin and communication frustrating; opinions are mixed on facilities and campus.
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DLI Training
- Campuses
- DLI Training
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Most students rate the trainers and teaching highly. Many also speak well of the course content, and some mention the facilities and campus.
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Australian Trade Training College
- Campuses
- 3 campuses
- Duration
- Not yet checked
- Study mode
- Not yet checked
- Full fee
- Not yet checked
What students say
Students speak well of the course content, with many also praising the trainers and the teaching, and some highlighting the student support.
Last reviewed 20 September 2026.
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
Nil
- Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:
- an interest in working outdoors on civil construction sites
- good hand eye coordination for controlling heavy plant
- a careful approach to safety around machines and services
- willingness to follow set out marks and site plans
What will you learn?
You learn to dig and level ground, prepare trenches for pipes and services, and compact surfaces to the right depth and finish, working from site plans and set-out marks left by surveyors. Safety runs through all of it, from daily machine checks and refuelling to working around other crews, site traffic and underground services. It suits people already on site who want to move onto machines, and newcomers after a practical start in civil work, with the units you take usually matched to the machines your employer runs.
- Operating excavators and loaders
- Trenching for pipes and services
- Compacting and levelling ground
- Reading site plans and set-out
- Daily machine checks and maintenance
- Working safely around plant
Data from training.gov.au and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (CC BY 4.0).