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Career pathway

Earthmoving Plant Operators

ANZSCO 7212

Employed

51,400

Part-time share

6%

Female share

5%

Median weekly earnings

$1,900

Median age

44 yrs

Employment outlook

Growing

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

Earthmoving Plant Operators is a job in Australia. The job figures on this page come from Jobs and Skills Australia and the ABS Census, where they are published. The courses listed here lead to this job. Compare the fee, study mode, length, place, and how to get in before you enquire.

Courses linked to this job include Certificate III in Trenchless Technology, Certificate III in Civil Construction, Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations, and Course in Safe Lifting with Excavators.

Jobs and Skills Australia rates the job outlook as Growing.

Jobs, part-time share, age, and pay appear on this page only when Jobs and Skills Australia or the ABS has published them for Earthmoving Plant Operators. A blank is a missing figure, not a pay of zero. The courses below are linked to this job. Open one to compare the fee, study mode, length, campus, and how to get in.

There is no single national fee or length for training that leads to Earthmoving Plant Operators. Each provider sets its own price, study mode, and entry rules. Those rules can include past study, an English level, work experience, or an interview. Check the AQF level, and whether you study in Australia or online, before you enquire.

About this career

Earthmoving Plant Operators operate plant to excavate earth, ore and rock, break up pavement, road, rock and obstructions, move and load earth, rock and debris, and level, smooth and compact surfaces in construction and other projects.

What they typically do

  • Preparing and positioning plant for operation
  • Selecting, fitting and removing attachments such as buckets, winches, loading scoops, shovel blades and rock breaking hammers
  • Operating controls to excavate, break, drill, level, compact, gouge out, move, load and spread earth, rock, rubble, soil and other materials
  • Monitoring operation of plant and adjusting controls to regulate pressure, speed and flow of operation, and ensuring safety of other workers
  • Raising, lowering and manipulating attachments using manual and hydraulic controls
  • Working from drawings, markers and verbal instructions
  • Servicing, lubricating, cleaning and refuelling plant and performing minor adjustments and repairs

States and territories

Share of workers by location

QLD
28.2%
NSW
27.4%
VIC
18.5%
WA
13.7%
SA
7.4%
TAS
3%
NT
1.2%
ACT
0.7%

Qualification pathways

These accredited qualifications can lead to a career as an Earthmoving Plant Operators.