Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations

This course will give you the skills to work on civil construction sites, supporting and operating civil construction machinery and earthmoving equipment. As a plant operator, you'll use your knowledge to shift soil, rock and other materials to create infrastructure for a range of civil construction projects including roads and rail, land subdivision, tunnelling, forestry, mining and renewable energy infrastructure.

The Civil Construction industry is expected to experience significant growth in the near future, and you could be involved!
We offer the following training opportunities for you to choose from:
Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations:
This is designed for individuals seeking a career in the civil construction industry. This nationally recognized qualification equips students with the practical skills and knowledge required to safely and efficiently operate a range of heavy machinery used in civil works.
Skillset: Operate a Roller
This short course is designed for individuals who want to gain the skills and knowledge to operate a roller safely and effectively in civil construction environments. It is ideal for those seeking to specialize in compaction operations or enhance their employability in the construction industry. This is also suitable for people already working in the industry and require the qualification.
Skillset: Operate an Excavator & Skid Steer Loader
This dual course is designed for individuals seeking to develop practical skills and knowledge to operate both an excavator and a skid steer loader safely and effectively in civil construction environments. It is ideal for those looking to broaden their capabilities and enhance employability in the construction industry. This is also suitable for people already working in the industry and require the qualification.

Did you know: The Victorian Government has now made Free TAFE courses even more accessible for new students enrolling for study in 2025. All Free TAFE courses at TAFE Gippsland are now available to people with higher-level qualifications and those who have completed a previous Free TAFE course and are looking to continue in their selected training pathway. Conditions and eligibility rules apply. Check out our Free TAFE information page for further details.

Job roles could include working on subdivisions, bridge works, railways, renewable energy infrastructure, sewerage and drainage, electrical infrastructure, and pipeline and recreation works. Develop experience with a range of equipment such as excavators, front end loaders, rollers, skid steer loaders and other civil construction machinery.

Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
Diploma Engineering Technology (Civil)
Advanced Diploma Engineering Technology (Civil)
Bachelor Civil Engineering

Skills and knowledge gained to work in the Civil Construction Industry. This qualification reflects the role of a skilled operator working with civil construction plant, who applies a broad range of skills in a varied work context, using some discretion and judgement and relevant theoretical knowledge. The individual may provide theoretical advice and support a team.

Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: Yes

Mandatory entry requirements:

Minimum 18 years old (High Risk Work Licencing Units)

Recommended entry Requirements:

Experience or relatable skills in the Civil Construction industry.

Limitations to course Entry:

In order to be able to complete the learning and assessment required in a Certificate III qualification, participants need to have adequate level skill levels in language, literacy and numeracy. All applicants will be required to undertake an interview with the course facilitators.

Not applicable.

Will this course/qualification or a constituent unit provide a pathway to an industry licence or regulated outcome: true

A selection of the Units of Competency have licencing outcomes. With successful completion of some Units of Competency students will be eligible to sit a National Assessment Instrument (NAI). The successful completion of the NAI will allow the candidate to apply for a High Risk Work Licences issued by WorkSafe Victoria

This course is tailored for individuals already employed in the civil construction industry who want to gain nationally recognised training while continuing to work. Civil Construction Plant Operators are responsible for managing and operating heavy machinery and earthmoving equipment on construction sites. They use their skills to move soil, rock, and other materials to develop infrastructure for road construction, land subdivision, tunnelling, forestry, agriculture, mining, and rail projects.

The Civil Construction industry is expected to experience significant growth in the near future, and you could be involved!
We offer the following training opportunities for you to choose from:
Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations:
This is designed for individuals seeking a career in the civil construction industry. This nationally recognized qualification equips students with the practical skills and knowledge required to safely and efficiently operate a range of heavy machinery used in civil works.
Skillset: Operate a Roller
This short course is designed for individuals who want to gain the skills and knowledge to operate a roller safely and effectively in civil construction environments. It is ideal for those seeking to specialize in compaction operations or enhance their employability in the construction industry. This is also suitable for people already working in the industry and require the qualification.
Skillset: Operate an Excavator & Skid Steer Loader
This dual course is designed for individuals seeking to develop practical skills and knowledge to operate both an excavator and a skid steer loader safely and effectively in civil construction environments. It is ideal for those looking to broaden their capabilities and enhance employability in the construction industry. This is also suitable for people already working in the industry and require the qualification.

Did you know: The Victorian Government has now made Free TAFE courses even more accessible for new students enrolling for study in 2025. All Free TAFE courses at TAFE Gippsland are now available to people with higher-level qualifications and those who have completed a previous Free TAFE course and are looking to continue in their selected training pathway. Conditions and eligibility rules apply. Check out our Free TAFE information page for further details.

Job roles could include working on subdivisions, bridge works, railways, renewable energy infrastructure, sewerage and drainage, electrical infrastructure, and pipeline and recreation works. Develop experience with a range of equipment such as excavators, front end loaders, rollers, skid steer loaders and other civil construction machinery.

Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
Diploma Engineering Technology (Civil)
Advanced Diploma Engineering Technology (Civil)
Bachelor Civil Engineering

Skills and knowledge gained to work in the Civil Construction Industry. This qualification reflects the role of a skilled operator working with civil construction plant, who applies a broad range of skills in a varied work context, using some discretion and judgement and relevant theoretical knowledge. The individual may provide theoretical advice and support a team.

Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: Yes

Mandatory entry requirements:

Minimum 18 years old (High Risk Work Licencing Units)

Recommended entry Requirements:

Experience or relatable skills in the Civil Construction industry.

Limitations to course Entry:

In order to be able to complete the learning and assessment required in a Certificate III qualification, participants need to have adequate level skill levels in language, literacy and numeracy. All applicants will be required to undertake an interview with the course facilitators.

Not applicable.

Will this course/qualification or a constituent unit provide a pathway to an industry licence or regulated outcome: true

A selection of the Units of Competency have licencing outcomes. With successful completion of some Units of Competency students will be eligible to sit a National Assessment Instrument (NAI). The successful completion of the NAI will allow the candidate to apply for a High Risk Work Licences issued by WorkSafe Victoria

This Training and Assessment Strategy (TAS) covers two short course options, each designed to equip learners with the practical skills and knowledge to operate specific civil construction plant:
Skid Steer & Excavator Operations + Load and Unload Plant (4 Days)
Roller Operations + Load and Unload Plant (2 Days)
Both course options include the nationally recognised unit RIIHAN308E – Load and unload plant and are delivered using industry-standard equipment in simulated site environments. The unit is embedded into each course to ensure all participants develop essential transport and site setup skills alongside their machine operation.
At the time of enrolment, clients will nominate which course stream they wish to attend:
- Skid Steer & Excavator – Ensuring that you can safely operate both machines across multiple scenarios
- Roller – Ensuring that you can safely operate a Roller across multiple scenarios.
Each stream is delivered separately but follows a consistent training and assessment approach. Statements of Attainment are issued for the units successfully completed within the selected stream.

The Civil Construction industry is expected to experience significant growth in the near future, and you could be involved!
We offer the following training opportunities for you to choose from:
Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations:
This is designed for individuals seeking a career in the civil construction industry. This nationally recognized qualification equips students with the practical skills and knowledge required to safely and efficiently operate a range of heavy machinery used in civil works.
Skillset: Operate a Roller
This short course is designed for individuals who want to gain the skills and knowledge to operate a roller safely and effectively in civil construction environments. It is ideal for those seeking to specialize in compaction operations or enhance their employability in the construction industry. This is also suitable for people already working in the industry and require the qualification.
Skillset: Operate an Excavator & Skid Steer Loader
This dual course is designed for individuals seeking to develop practical skills and knowledge to operate both an excavator and a skid steer loader safely and effectively in civil construction environments. It is ideal for those looking to broaden their capabilities and enhance employability in the construction industry. This is also suitable for people already working in the industry and require the qualification.

Did you know: The Victorian Government has now made Free TAFE courses even more accessible for new students enrolling for study in 2025. All Free TAFE courses at TAFE Gippsland are now available to people with higher-level qualifications and those who have completed a previous Free TAFE course and are looking to continue in their selected training pathway. Conditions and eligibility rules apply. Check out our Free TAFE information page for further details.

Job roles could include working on subdivisions, bridge works, railways, renewable energy infrastructure, sewerage and drainage, electrical infrastructure, and pipeline and recreation works. Develop experience with a range of equipment such as excavators, front end loaders, rollers, skid steer loaders and other civil construction machinery.

Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
Diploma Engineering Technology (Civil)
Advanced Diploma Engineering Technology (Civil)
Bachelor Civil Engineering

Skills and knowledge gained to work in the Civil Construction Industry. This qualification reflects the role of a skilled operator working with civil construction plant, who applies a broad range of skills in a varied work context, using some discretion and judgement and relevant theoretical knowledge. The individual may provide theoretical advice and support a team.

Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: Yes

Mandatory entry requirements:

Minimum 18 years old (High Risk Work Licencing Units)

Recommended entry Requirements:

Experience or relatable skills in the Civil Construction industry.

Limitations to course Entry:

In order to be able to complete the learning and assessment required in a Certificate III qualification, participants need to have adequate level skill levels in language, literacy and numeracy. All applicants will be required to undertake an interview with the course facilitators.

Not applicable.

Will this course/qualification or a constituent unit provide a pathway to an industry licence or regulated outcome: true

A selection of the Units of Competency have licencing outcomes. With successful completion of some Units of Competency students will be eligible to sit a National Assessment Instrument (NAI). The successful completion of the NAI will allow the candidate to apply for a High Risk Work Licences issued by WorkSafe Victoria