Can I get RII50120 through RPL?

Often, yes. Recognition of prior learning assesses experience you already have against each unit rather than retraining you in it - common for people who have run operations for years. Whether RPL is offered is decided by each provider.

What are the entry requirements?

None. The national register lists no entry requirements for RII50120, though individual providers may set their own.

Does this make me a statutory mine manager?

No - the qualification and the statutory appointment are separate things. In Queensland, competencies for statutory positions are determined by the Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee under the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999. RIIRIS501E and BSBWHS521, core units of RII50120, are among the competencies RSHQ names for Site Senior Executives on a surface mine or quarry. Requirements change and differ by state - check RSHQ for the current list.

What does it cost and how long does it take?

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

RII50120 Diploma of Surface Operations Management

About this qualification

RII50120 is the qualification for the people who carry the operation — deciding how a pit is worked, what plant and technique it takes, who does what, and how safety is managed across all of it. The register describes a role with “a high level of autonomy” requiring “significant judgement”: you are expected to plan and select, not follow a method someone else set.

Its three core units are legal compliance, risk management systems and a safe workplace — then ten electives you build around the operation you actually run, whether that is open cut coal, metalliferous or quarrying.

It also sits underneath statutory appointment. In Queensland, BSBWHS521 — one of the three core units — is among the competencies RSHQ names for site senior executives on a surface mine or quarry employing more than 20 persons. Holding the qualification is not the appointment, but it is part of the path to it.

Roles it maps to

Occupations linked to RII50120 on the national register (ANZSCO 133513, Production Manager — Mining), plus the Queensland statutory position its core units feed into — see RSHQ competencies.

Site Senior Executive Coal Mine Manager Mine Manager — Metalliferous Mine Surveyor Quarry Manager Quarry Operations Manager Quarry Operations Technical Manager

Where it sits

RII50120 is one rung on the surface operations ladder.

Certificate IVRII40120 Surface Extraction Operations
Diploma · you are hereRII50120 Surface Operations Management
Advanced DiplomaRII60220 Extractive Industries Management
Advanced DiplomaRII60726 Surface Coal Mining Management

What it covers

3Core units

10Elective units

At least four electives must come from Group A, no more than five from Group B, and no more than two from elsewhere in this or any other endorsed training package.

The three core units, required by everyone:

BSBWHS521 Ensure a safe workplace for a work area named by RSHQ among Site Senior Executive competencies
RIIGOV501E Identify, implement and maintain legal compliance requirements
RIIRIS501E Implement and maintain management systems to control risk

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

Frequently asked questions

Can I get RII50120 through RPL?: Often, yes. Recognition of prior learning assesses experience you already have against each unit rather than retraining you in it — common for people who have run operations for years. Whether RPL is offered is decided by each provider.
What are the entry requirements?: None. The national register lists no entry requirements for RII50120, though individual providers may set their own.
Does this make me a statutory mine manager?: No — the qualification and the statutory appointment are separate things. In Queensland, competencies for statutory positions are determined by the Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee under the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999. RIIRIS501E and BSBWHS521, core units of RII50120, are among the competencies RSHQ names for Site Senior Executives on a surface mine or quarry. Requirements change and differ by state — check RSHQ for the current list.
What does it cost and how long does it take?: Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register.

Apply for a Statutory Notice

Statutory safety roles at a mine or quarry require a certificate of competency or a notice, assessed by the Board of Examiners under the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999. Holders working in statutory positions must also carry a current practising certificate. Applications are made through the RSHQ Portal.

Apply for a statutory notice

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
VIC

Box Hill InstituteRTO 4687

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Halo Nation TrainingRTO 32485

Deliver and assess · National
TAS

RTV ConsultancyRTO 90674

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Performance TrainingRTO 1718

Deliver and assess · National
WA

TNL ConsultantsRTO 51358

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

SkillstrainRTO 70211

Deliver and assess · National
WA

Pivot SolutionsRTO 51586

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Mining Skills AustraliaRTO 45868

Deliver and assess · National
WA

Advanced Mine Performance TrainingRTO 51822

Deliver and assess · National
Find more providers

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

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Other qualifications in the RII training package, nearest level first.

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Diploma of Surface Operations Management

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