Which stream should I choose?

The one matching the work. Charge Up for explosives, Development for headings and drives, Production for stoping and extraction, Services and Infrastructure for the systems that keep a mine running, or General for a broad qualification. The stream appears on your certificate, so it follows you.

Can I change streams later?

The streams share all six core units, so a change is not starting over - but the eight electives differ. Ask a provider what recognition applies to units you have already completed.

Is this the same as the surface Certificate III?

No. RII30120 is surface extraction; RII30320 is underground metalliferous. They share risk management, environmental and WHS units, but RII30320 adds assessing ground conditions and workplace information - underground has hazards surface does not.

Can I get RII30320 through RPL?

Often, yes, particularly for experienced underground crews. Whether RPL is offered is decided by each provider, and practical assessment underground still applies.

What does it cost and how long does it take?

Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register.

RII30320 Certificate III in Underground Metalliferous Mining

About this qualification

RII30320 is the underground operator's qualification. The register describes “shot firers, drillers and production operators, working in underground metalliferous mining, who perform tasks involving a broad range of skilled applications in a varied work context, using some discretion and judgement in selecting equipment, services or contingency measures”.

It is built differently from the surface qualifications. Rather than one qualification with a wide elective bank, RII30320 has five named streams — Charge Up, Development, Production, Services and Infrastructure, and General — and you must meet the core and elective requirements of one of them. Each stream is the same size: six core units and eight electives.

The stream is not internal paperwork. The register states the specialisation is identified on the testamur, so your certificate reads RII30320 Certificate III in Underground Metalliferous Mining (Production), not just the code. Ask which stream a provider delivers before you enrol — it is printed on what you walk away with.

Its six core units include assessing ground conditions, which is what separates underground from everything else on this site.

Roles it maps to

Roles described on the national register for RII30320.

Underground Miner Shot Firer Jumbo Operator Production Driller Charge Up Operator

Where it sits

Where RII30320 sits in the underground metalliferous stream.

Certificate IIRII20120 Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation
Certificate III · you are hereRII30320 Underground Metalliferous Mining
Certificate IIIRII30420 Resource Processing
DiplomaRII50120 Surface Operations Management

What it covers

6Core units

8Elective units

Fourteen units within one of five streams. For the Charge Up stream, at least four electives must come from Group A, no more than four from Groups E or F, and no more than two from elsewhere in this or any other currently endorsed training package. The other streams follow the same shape with their own groups.

The six core units, common to every stream:

RIICOM302D Communicate workplace information
RIIENV201E Identify and assess environmental and heritage concerns
RIIMEX302D Assess ground conditions
RIIQUA201E Maintain and monitor site quality standards
RIIRIS301E Apply risk management processes named by RSHQ among Site Senior Executive competencies
RIIWHS201E Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures

For a full list of elective units, visit training.gov.au →

Frequently asked questions

Which stream should I choose?: The one matching the work. Charge Up for explosives, Development for headings and drives, Production for stoping and extraction, Services and Infrastructure for the systems that keep a mine running, or General for a broad qualification. The stream appears on your certificate, so it follows you.
Can I change streams later?: The streams share all six core units, so a change is not starting over — but the eight electives differ. Ask a provider what recognition applies to units you have already completed.
Is this the same as the surface Certificate III?: No. RII30120 is surface extraction; RII30320 is underground metalliferous. They share risk management, environmental and WHS units, but RII30320 adds assessing ground conditions and workplace information — underground has hazards surface does not.
Can I get RII30320 through RPL?: Often, yes, particularly for experienced underground crews. Whether RPL is offered is decided by each provider, and practical assessment underground still applies.
What does it cost and how long does it take?: Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register.

Other registered providers

Filtered by where each provider is based, not where they can deliver.

QLD

MinRes Training InstituteRTO 40727

Deliver and assess · National
WA

North Metropolitan TAFERTO 52786

Deliver and assess · WA
WA

Central Regional TAFERTO 52789

Deliver and assess · WA
QLD

Performance TrainingRTO 1718

Deliver and assess · National
WA

MunvostRTO 51807

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

MyneSightRTO 31900

Deliver and assess · NSW, QLD, WA, TAS
WA

Pivot SolutionsRTO 51586

Deliver and assess · National
WA

Advanced Mine Performance TrainingRTO 51822

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

NombayRTO 5363

Deliver and assess · QLD
WA

Byrnecut AustraliaRTO 51962

Deliver and assess · NSW, QLD, WA, SA, TAS
SA

Construction Industry Training CentreRTO 0647

Deliver and assess · SA
QLD

Macmahon ContractorsRTO 52303

Deliver and assess · NSW, QLD, WA, SA, NT
Find more providers

12 of 16 providers shown — search the register for the rest
training.gov.au →

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Certificate III in Underground Metalliferous Mining

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