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Career pathway

Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)

ANZSCO 721211

Employed

3,700

Part-time share

10%

Female share

3%

Median age

49 yrs

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia · ABS 2021 Census of Population and Housing.

Salary and some workforce figures are suppressed for this occupation because Jobs and Skills Australia / the ABS do not publish estimates for small populations (typically fewer than 50 employed people) or because the figures have been perturbed for privacy. They are shown as unavailable rather than zero.

About this career

Earthmoving Plant Operators (General) operate a range of earthmoving plants to assist with building roads, rail, water supplies, dams, treatment plants and agricultural earthworks.

What they typically do

  • Selects, fits and removes attachments such as buckets, winches, loading scoops, shovel blades and rock breaking hammers.
  • Operates controls to excavate, break, drill, level, compact, gouge out, move, load and spread earth, rock, rubble, soil and other materials.
  • Monitors operation of plant and adjusts controls to regulate pressure, speed and flow of operation, and ensure safety of other workers.
  • Raise, lower and manipulate attachments using manual and hydraulic controls.
  • Service, lubricate, clean and refuel plant and perform minor adjustments and repairs.

States and territories

Share of workers by location

QLD
26.9%
NSW
25.6%
VIC
21.5%
WA
14.3%
SA
6.9%
TAS
3.4%
NT
0.7%
ACT
0.6%

Qualification pathways

These accredited qualifications can lead to a career as an Earthmoving Plant Operator (General).