7212 Earthmoving Plant Operators

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.

• 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

• 721211 Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
• 721212 Backhoe Operator
• 721213 Bulldozer Operator
• 721214 Excavator Operator
• 721215 Grader Operator
• 721216 Loader Operator

Alternative Title:

• Construction Plant Operator (General)

Operates a range of earthmoving plant to assist with building roads, rail, water supply, dams, treatment plants and agricultural earthworks. Registration or licensing is required.

Skill Level: 4

Operates a backhoe and attachments to excavate, break, drill, level and compact earth, rock and other material. Registration or licensing is required.

Skill Level: 4

Operates a bulldozer using blades and other attachments to gouge out, level and move materials in construction, forestry, mining and other projects. Registration or licensing is required.

Skill Level: 4

Specialisation:

• Scraper Operator (Earthmoving)

Operates heavy excavation plant to excavate, move and load earth, rock and rubble. Registration or licensing is required.

Skill Level: 4

Specialisations:

• Hydraulic Rockbreaker Operator
• Trench Digging Machine Operator

Operates a grader to spread and level materials in construction projects. Registration or licensing is required.

Skill Level: 4

Operates a motorised loader to move and load soil, rock and other material. Registration or licensing is required.

Skill Level: 4

Specialisations:

• Bobcat Operator
• Front-end Loader Operator