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Minor Group

712 Stationary Plant Operators

ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations
Reference period
2021
Released
23/11/2021

712 Stationary Plant Operators

Stationary Plant Operators operate stationary plant to perform a range of activities such as extracting minerals from the earth; refining and treating metals and mineral ore, and producing basic metal products; lifting, moving and placing materials and equipment; and loading and stacking bulk materials.

Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this minor group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Level 4 qualification, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3); or
  • NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

  • fixing attachments to plant and setting controls prior to operation
  • manipulating controls to move materials between process phases
  • observing operation and adjusting controls to regulate temperature, pressure, mix of materials to be processed and handled, and speed of operation
  • monitoring operation of plant directly or by referring to instruments ensuring safe operation
  • cleaning and lubricating plant, repairing minor defects and reporting major problems
  • unloading and storing output
Unit Group

7121 Crane, Hoist and Lift Operators

Crane, Hoist and Lift Operators operate stationary and mobile cranes, hoists, lifts and winches to lift, move and place materials, equipment and people in areas such as building sites, factories, mines, sawmills, wharves and shipyards.

Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Level 4 qualification, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Registration or licensing may be required.

Tasks Include:

  • testing the operation of plant before use to ensure safety
  • operating controls to rotate cranes, move cranes on fixed rails, raise and lower jibs and booms, and raise, lower and move hooks and objects
  • working in conjunction with Construction Riggers and Crane Chasers to position hooks and raise, move and place loads
  • controlling the movement of loads, and monitoring speed, acceleration and braking distances directly and by signalling to other operators
  • monitoring plant operation, instruments and gauges to detect malfunctions and problems
  • lubricating ropes and winches on cranes and replacing worn cables
  • may operate cranes fitted with attachments for purposes such as demolition and pile driving
  • may operate overhead cranes using hand controls suspended by cables from cranes

Occupation:

  • 712111 Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator

712111 Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator

Operates stationary and mobile cranes, hoists, lifts and winches to lift, move and place materials, equipment and people in areas such as building sites, factories, mines, sawmills, wharves and shipyards. Registration or licensing may be required.

Skill Level:

  • 4 Australia
  • 3 New Zealand

Specialisations:

  • Chairlift Operator
  • Cherry Picker Operator
  • Elevated Work Platform Operator
  • Pile Driver
  • Portainer Operator
  • Tower Crane Operator
  • Winch Operator
Unit Group

7122 Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers

Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers assemble, position and operate drilling rigs and mining plant, and detonate explosives to extract materials from the earth and demolish structures.

Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. Note: some roles within this unit group are at a higher ANZSCO Skill Level.

Registration or licensing may be required.

Tasks Include:

  • dismantling, moving and reassembling drilling rigs and accessory plant
  • taking samples of ore, liquids and gases and packaging them
  • performing minor maintenance and repairs, and lubricating and cleaning plant
  • recording performance details and information obtained from wells, and keeping logs detailing operations
  • operating surface and underground mining plant
  • undertaking development work such as opening up new shafts, drives, air vents, rises and crib rooms
  • positioning explosives in bore holes and priming explosives using detonators and explosive cartridges
  • connecting wires, fuses and detonating cords to explosive cartridges and detonators, and detonating explosives
  • monitoring operation of plant and ensuring safety of other workers on mining sites and during drilling operations
  • operating auxiliary plant such as pumps to expel air, water and mud

Occupations:

  • 712211 Driller
  • 712212 Miner
  • 712213 Shot Firer

712211 Driller

Alternative Title:

  • Drilling Plant Operator

Assembles, positions and operates a drilling rig and related equipment to extract ore, liquids or gases from the earth. Registration or licensing may be required.

Skill Level: 4 Note: some roles within this occupation are at a higher ANZSCO Skill Level.

Specialisations:

  • Directional Driller
  • Exploration Driller
  • Jumbo Operator
  • Power Tong Operator
  • Raise Drill Operator
  • Rig Manager
  • Rock Drill Operator
  • Stope Miner
  • Tool Pusher

712212 Miner

Alternative Title:

  • Mining Plant Operator

Operates plant to excavate, load and transport coal, ore and rock in an underground or open-cut mine. Registration or licensing may be required.

Skill Level: 4

Specialisations:

  • Bogger Operator
  • Coal Cutter
  • Dragline Operator
  • Opal Miner
  • Underground Truck Operator

712213 Shot Firer

Alternative Title:

  • Powder Monkey

Assembles, positions and detonates explosives at a mining or demolition site. Registration or licensing may be required.

Skill Level: 4

Unit Group

7123 Engineering Production Workers

Engineering Production Workers perform a range of production process tasks to refine and treat metals and mineral ore, fire ceramics, and operate plant to produce and finish metal products such as rods, tubing and structural shapes, and moulds for casting.

Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Certificate II or III (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

At least one year of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Registration or licensing is required.

Tasks Include:

  • interpreting engineering production drawings
  • setting up, operating and adjusting production plant to shape metal stock and castings and cut sheet metal
  • operating welding and electroplating plant
  • operating furnaces and quenching plant to smelt and change the structure of metals
  • using kilns and ovens to fire ceramics
  • processing mineral ore and operating metal rolling plant
  • casting molten metal and operating plant to draw metal wire through dies
  • operating computer-controlled production plant

Occupation:

  • 712311 Engineering Production Worker

712311 Engineering Production Worker

Performs a range of production process tasks to refine and treat metals and mineral ore, fire ceramics, and operate plant to produce and finish metal products such as rods, tubing and structural shapes, and moulds for casting. Registration or licensing is required.

Skill Level: 4

Specialisations:

  • Alumina Refinery Operator
  • Arc Welder
  • Brake Press Operator
  • Computer Numeric Control Machine Operator
  • Foundry Operator
  • Furnace Operator (Metals)
  • Kiln Operator (Metals)
  • Metal Rolling Mill Operator
  • Sheetmetal Worker (Second Class)
  • Tool Setter
  • Turret Punch Operator
Unit Group

7129 Other Stationary Plant Operators

This unit group covers Stationary Plant Operators not elsewhere classified. It includes Boiler or Engine Operators, Bulk Materials Handling Plant Operators, Cement Production Plant Operators, Concrete Batching Plant Operators, Concrete Pump Operators, Paper and Pulp Mill Operators, Railway Signal Operators, Train Controllers, Waste Water or Water Plant Operators and Weighbridge Operators.

Indicative Skill Level:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

The occupations Paper and Pulp Mill Operator and Waste Water or Water Plant Operator in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia:

  • AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)

In New Zealand:

  • NZQF Level 4 qualification, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Registration or licensing may be required.

Occupations:

  • 712911 Boiler or Engine Operator
  • 712912 Bulk Materials Handling Plant Operator
  • 712913 Cement Production Plant Operator
  • 712914 Concrete Batching Plant Operator
  • 712915 Concrete Pump Operator
  • 712916 Paper and Pulp Mill Operator
  • 712917 Railway Signal Operator
  • 712918 Train Controller
  • 712921 Waste Water or Water Plant Operator
  • 712922 Weighbridge Operator
  • 712999 Stationary Plant Operators nec

712911 Boiler or Engine Operator

Operates and maintains stationary engines, boilers, refrigeration and airconditioning systems, and associated mechanical plant. Registration or licensing is required.

Skill Level: 4

Specialisations:

  • Airconditioning Plant Operator
  • Marine Engine Driver
  • Refrigeration Plant Operator

712912 Bulk Materials Handling Plant Operator

Operates plant and equipment to load, unload, move, store and stack bulk materials such as grain, sugar and mineral ore.

Skill Level: 4

Specialisations:

  • Grain Handler
  • Palletiser Operator
  • Receival Point Operator (Grain)
  • Tank Farm Operator (Petroleum)

712913 Cement Production Plant Operator

Operates plant to produce cement, lime and clinker.

Skill Level: 4

Specialisations:

  • Cement Crusher Operator
  • Cement Despatch Operator
  • Cement Grinding Mill Operator
  • Cement Kiln Operator

712914 Concrete Batching Plant Operator

Operates mixing plant to produce batches of concrete from cement, sand, aggregate, water and other ingredients.

Skill Level: 4

Specialisation:

  • Premix Concrete Batcher

712915 Concrete Pump Operator

Operates plant to pump, cast and mould concrete. Registration or licensing is required.

Skill Level: 4

Specialisation:

  • Concrete Boom Operator

712916 Paper and Pulp Mill Operator

Alternative Titles:

  • Paper Machine Operator
  • Paper Maker

Operates plant to produce paper pulp from woodchips and to make paper sheets.

Skill Level:

  • 4 Australia
  • 3 New Zealand

Specialisations:

  • Bleach Plant Operator
  • Dryerman/woman (Paper Mill)
  • Fourdrinier Machine Operator
  • Inverform Machine Operator
  • Paperboard Machine Operator
  • Paper Rewinder Operator

712917 Railway Signal Operator

Alternative Title:

  • Railway Switching and Signalling Operator

Controls the movement of trains, and assembles and disassembles trains within a marshalling yard.

Skill Level: 4

Specialisations:

  • Railway Shunter
  • Railway Yard Assistant

712918 Train Controller

Oversees the safe movement of trains using a computerised train control signalling system.

Skill Level: 4

712921 Waste Water or Water Plant Operator

Operates plant to store, distribute and treat water including purifying water for human consumption and removing wastes from sewage.

Skill Level:

  • 4 Australia
  • 3 New Zealand

Specialisation:

  • Qualified Reticulation Serviceperson

712922 Weighbridge Operator

Operates weighing plant and issues measurement tickets which provide readings of vehicle and livestock weight.

Skill Level: 4

Specialisation:

  • Licensed Weigher

712999 Stationary Plant Operators nec

This occupation group covers Stationary Plant Operators not elsewhere classified.

Skill Level: 4

Occupations in this group include:

  • Beverage Distiller
  • Bitumen Plant Operator
  • Crematorium Operator
  • Crushing Machine Operator
  • Snow Maker
  • Timber Treatment Plant Operator
  • Wash Plant Operator