Unit Code + Name
RIIMPO320F – Conduct civil construction excavator operations
Licence Class
Excavator competency (not HRWL)
Career Pathway
Plant Operator
Expected Salary
~ $65,000 to $90,000+*, but up to $140,000+*
Get Your Excavator Ticket and Dig Into New Career Opportunities
RIIMPO320F – Conduct civil construction excavator operations
Excavator competency (not HRWL)
Plant Operator
~ $65,000 to $90,000+*, but up to $140,000+*
*SEEK data, Nov 2025
Get behind the controls of an excavator and build real skills for civil and construction work.
RIIMPO320F – Conduct civil construction excavator operations is a nationally recognised unit that covers the skills and knowledge required to safely plan and operate an excavator on construction, infrastructure and earthmoving sites.
Training is delivered by experienced civil construction trainers at OTJT’s Stapylton yard using modern excavators and realistic site conditions. You’ll gain practical, hands-on experience performing excavations, lifting materials and maintaining safe working practices in compliance with WHS standards.
How to plan and prepare for excavation work — interpret job plans, confirm work requirements and identify site hazards.
How to inspect and maintain excavators and attachments through pre-start checks, routine servicing and fault reporting.
How to operate the excavator safely, including trenching, backfilling, stockpiling and loading trucks.
How to select, fit and use attachments such as buckets, rock breakers or augers according to manufacturer instructions.
How to perform lifting operations within the machine’s rated capacity.
How to apply safe operating techniques, including working around underground services, on slopes and in confined areas.
How to shut down, secure and maintain the excavator after use, completing documentation and reporting requirements.
Safe and efficient excavator operation across varied site and ground conditions.
Accurate use of controls to dig, lift, carry and place materials.
Understanding of ground stability, load limits and environmental protection.
Clear communication with spotters and other plant operators.
Compliance with workplace, environmental and WHS procedures.
Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Statement of Attainment for RIIMPO320F – Conduct civil construction excavator operations.
This nationally recognised qualification allows you to operate an excavator in civil construction and earthmoving environments in accordance with site and safety requirements.
^Blended learning at OTJT means you can knock over your theory online before you arrive, so your time on site is all about getting hands-on and building the skills you need.
Please note: on Thursdays, the theory must be completed online before face-to-face practical training due to the later start, otherwise students will be turned away and have to return another time.
Statement of Attainment: Upon achieving competence in this accredited unit of competency, you will be issued a physical and digital copy of a Statement of Attainment for your official records, plus a wallet-sized card for use on site.
Please note that USI transcripts are only updated once a year, so keep it somewhere safe. Don’t worry, though, if you do lose it, get in touch and we can issue a new one.
Note: This course issues a plant competency ticket, not a high-risk work licence. Some sites may still require VOCs.
RIIMPO320F – Conduct civil construction excavator operations
RIIMPO318F – Conduct civil construction skid steer loader operations
RIIMPO317F – Conduct roller operations
RIIMPO321F – Conduct civil construction wheeled front-end loader operations
RIIHAN309F – Conduct telescopic materials handler operations
RIIMPO337E – Conduct articulated haul truck operations
RIIHAN311F – Conduct operations with Integrated tool carrier
See our Course Calendar for 2, 3 or more earthmoving plant operating bundles and save big!
Queensland’s civil construction scene is booming. And right now, plant operators are some of the most in-demand workers on site. With over $103.9 billion worth of projects planned through to 2029, the call for skilled operators is set to more than double in the next few years.
So why jump into earthmoving?
With CSQ funding available for eligible students, many can train with us at no out-of-pocket cost.
👉 Want to dig deeper? Check out our full blog: Why 2025 Is the Best Time to Become an Earthmoving Plant Operator in QLD.
This is designed as a one-day course, with an extra day available if you need more time on the machine to achieve competence.
Once you’ve successfully completed the theory once, you won’t need to repeat it in full. For future plant courses, you’ll just cover the machine-specific theory plus the practical training and assessment.
Every learner is different. Course duration can be influenced by:
As part of the new Standards for RTOs 2025, all new students must complete a quick LLND (Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital) Skills Check before we can confirm enrolment.
It’s not a test, and there’s no pass or fail. It simply helps us understand how best to support the learner before training begins. It only takes around 10 minutes to complete and can be done on any device, including a mobile phone.
The table below summarises the level of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ASCF)* (and DigComp) required for this course.
Learning | Reading | Writing | Oral Communication | Numeracy | Digital Literacy |
ACSF 2 | ACSF 2 | ACSF 2 | ACSF 2 | ACSF 3 | DigComp A2 |
Check out our FAQ’s on this page below for some more info about our learning resources designed to set up all students for success, regardless of their capabilities, or find our Student Support Policy here.
For more information about the ACSF visit the DEWR website: https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-information-training-providers/australian-core-skills-framework
CSQ
Bert Training Fund
Should the participant not achieve competence in any of the NAIs, then they will be entitled to no more than one reassessment with no charge. At the RTO’s discretion, any additional reassessments will incur further fees of $250 each, including charges for retraining of $500 if required.
Please use this course structure as a guide. Many factors can influence course timings, such as the size of the group, weather conditions or a student’s time to achieve competence in the unit.
| Item | Full Price | CSQ Co-contribution² | CSQ Admin Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excavator Ticket | $990 | $300 | $50 |
| Package Price (2 Courses) | $1,450 | $300 | $50 |
| Package Price (3 Courses**) | $1,650 | $350 | $50 |
**See course calendar for more details.
Small Training Provider of the Year
Small Training Provider of the Year
for eligible QLD construction workers.
plus live-machine practice—real skills, real fun.
means personalised coaching.
with all plant operator courses scheduled on Thursdays & Fridays.
industry standard earthmoving machine plant, in addition to 2 forklifts & 2 EWPs.
midway Brisbane ↔ Gold Coast—easy access.
access to online course materials as soon as you enrol.
need to train up the team? Send them down or we’ll come to you.
split your training across days or nights, even multiple weeks.
face-to-face and e-learning elements available.
of students would recommend our training to others.
Source: OTJ Training ASQA Learner Survey 2024
of students said that the training prepared them well for work.
Source: OTJ Training ASQA Learner Survey 2024
Most sites will require you to hold a nationally recognised plant competency ticket, such as this one.
Along with the Statement of Attainment (which is a fancy name for a certificate) you’ll receive for achieving competence in this unit, we will also give you a handy card issued by us, the RTO, to take with you in your wallet on-site.
HRWL do not apply to most earthmoving plant, unless the plant uses a crane or EWP attachment and is capable of a lifting capacity in excess of 3t. See our blog for more detailed information on this:
The Ultimate Guide to Telehandler Licensing & Use of Attachments
Usually 1-2 days, depending on your experience, you achieve competence in the unit and ultimately, when you feel you’re ready.
Yes—eligible construction workers only pay $300 for 1 or 2 courses instead of the non-funded $990 per course.
For every course you enrol in for 3 or more, get them for just $50.
Not eligible? No worries, non-funded students save as well. $1450 for 2 plant courses or $1650 for 3. See our Course Calendar for more details.
Non-funded students can save by booking into more courses!
$1450 for 2 plant courses.
$1650 for 3 plant courses.
See our Course Calendar for more details.
Definitely can! Add skid steer, excavator, roller, telehandler, integrated tool carrier, articulated haul truck, water truck or front-end loader for a discount.
Steel cap boots, PPE, 100 pts of ID, and your USI.
We can also make reasonable adjustments in training and delivery, provided that it doesn’t unfairly disadvantage other students, or go against the rules of assessment conditions for the training product and national assessment instruments.
Those who struggle with LLN & Digital literacy – you are not alone! If you know you struggle in areas of learning, reading, writing, oral communication, numeracy or digital literacy, be sure to let us know and tell us about any strategies you know that help you.
In our experience, the most effective way to combat any learning difficulty is to be proactive. From the moment our students are enrolled, they will have access to all course materials and learning support resources.
So don’t wait for training day – get ahead of the game, minimise stress during the courses and maximise your time doing the fun stuff!
We have weekly intakes. Call us and we’ll do everything we can to accommodate last-minute requests.
SEEK data, Nov25
^Blended learning at OTJT means you can knock over your theory online before you arrive, so your time on site is all about getting hands-on and building the skills you need.
Please note: on Thursdays, the theory must be completed online before face-to-face practical training due to the later start, otherwise students will be turned away and have to return another time.
Request a chat with our friendly
team to inquire about your study options.
