This qualification has been superseded
RII30820 was current from 25 January 2021 to 1 September 2026. New enrolments go to the version below.
RII30826 Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
Same title and the same qualification, recoded in the September 2026 release of the RII training package. The national register flags RII30826 as equivalent to RII30820.
About this qualification
RII30820 is the plant operator's trade qualification for civil construction. The register describes individuals “working as skilled operators with civil construction plant, who apply a broad range of skills in varied work contexts, using some discretion and judgement and relevant theoretical knowledge” — people who may also advise and support a team.
Its shape is unusual for the RII package: fifteen core units and only five electives, where most qualifications at this level run three or four cores. Measurement and calculation, locating underground services, reading plans, manual excavation, levelling, dewatering, hand and power tools, small plant — the breadth is fixed by the qualification rather than chosen by the provider.
That makes it a very consistent qualification between providers, and there are a lot of them: 248 providers can deliver it, more than any other qualification in this directory.
Roles it maps to
Roles described on the national register for RII30820.
Where it sits
Where RII30820 sits in the civil construction stream.
- Certificate IIRII20120 Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation
- Certificate III · you are hereRII30820 Civil Construction Plant Operations
What it covers
Two elective patterns are allowed. Either at least one from Group A and two from Group B, no more than two from Group C and no more than one from elsewhere in the training package; or at least two from Group A with a further three from the groups.
The 15 core units, required by everyone:
- RIIBEF201E Plan and organise work
- RIICCM201E Carry out measurements and calculations
- RIICCM202E Identify, locate and protect underground services
- RIICCM203E Read and interpret plans and job specifications
- RIICCM205F Carry out manual excavation
- RIICCM206E Support plant operations
- RIICCM207E Spread and compact materials manually
- RIICCM208E Carry out basic levelling
- RIICOM201E Communicate in the workplace
- RIIRIS301E Apply risk management processes
- RIISAM201E Handle resources and infrastructure materials and safely dispose of nontoxic materials
- RIISAM203E Use hand and power tools
- RIISAM204E Operate small plant and equipment
- RIIWHS201E Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures
- RIIWMG203E Drain and dewater civil construction sites
For a full list of elective units, visit training.gov.au →
Frequently asked questions
- Why are there so many core units?
- Because the qualification defines the job rather than leaving it to electives. Fifteen of the twenty units are fixed, covering measurement, plans, services location, excavation, levelling and plant support. Only five units are chosen, which is why RII30820 looks much the same wherever you take it.
- Does this cover the plant tickets I need on site?
- Not automatically. The register notes that licensing, legislative and certification requirements vary between states, territories and industry sectors, and must be checked with the relevant body. High risk work licences are issued by the state regulator, not by the qualification.
- Can I get RII30820 through RPL?
- Often, yes. Recognition of prior learning assesses experience you already have against each unit rather than retraining you in it. Whether RPL is offered is decided by each provider.
- What are the entry requirements?
- None. The national register records entry requirements for RII30820 as “Nil”, though individual providers may set their own.
- 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 -
NSW
TAFE NSWRTO 90003
Deliver and assess · NSW, QLD, NT -
QLD
TAFE QueenslandRTO 0275
Deliver and assess · NSW, QLD, NT -
WA
South Metropolitan TAFERTO 52787
Deliver and assess · WA -
QLD
Halo Nation TrainingRTO 32485
Deliver and assess · National -
QLD
Civil SafetyRTO 32381
Deliver and assess · NSW, QLD, VIC, WA, SA, TAS, NT -
QLD
AshtrailRTO 6139
Deliver and assess · National -
NSW
Joblink PlusRTO 91434
Deliver and assess · National -
QLD
PM2RTO 41304
Deliver and assess · National -
QLD
Australian Trade Training CollegeRTO 31399
Deliver and assess · National -
NSW
Innovative Learning SolutionsRTO 91812
Deliver and assess · National -
QLD
Martyr Training ServicesRTO 31279
Deliver and assess · National -
Find more providers
12 of 199 providers shown — search the register for the rest
training.gov.au →
More in Resources and Infrastructure
Other qualifications in the RII training package, nearest level first.
Was this information useful?
Thanks — that helps us keep these pages accurate.