Overview
Gain the skills to work on major infrastructure projects in the fast-growing civil construction industry, with the Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations RII30820 at Victoria University Polytechnic.
Developed in partnership with industry, this Certificate III at VU Polytechnic will teach you the in-demand skills needed to pursue your career as a plant operator.
You will develop the skills and knowledge to:
- plan and organise work
- carry out measurements and calculations
- identify, locate and protect underground services
- read and interpret plans and specifications
- carry out manual excavation
- support plant operations
- carry out basic levelling
- communicate in the workplace
- handle resources and infrastructure materials and safely dispose of non-toxic materials
- use hand tools and power tools
- operate a small plant and equipment
- work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures
- drain and dewater civil construction sites
- use various civil construction machinery.
Hands-on training & industry links
You will have access to state-of-the-art simulators and machines at our Werribee Campus (Werribee East). As part of your course, you will undertake 150+ hours of operating machinery, including our eight-tonne wheeled front end loader, in a controlled environment. Learning with us means you’ll get the hands-on training to operate equipment safely and be job-ready when you graduate.
Industry partners are also co-located at Werribee East, allowing for closer industry contact during your training.
Learning advice
VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.
Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.
We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.
Our programs include:
- workshops
- drop-in sessions
- peer mentoring
- maths and writing resources
- resume and career guidance.
We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
-
Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
Careers
Once you have completed the RII30820 Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant operations, you may find work as:
- civil construction plant operator
- road Construction worker
- mobile plant operator
- construction worker (civil construction general).
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded the RII30820 Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations, 20 units must be completed consisting of:
- 15 core units
- 5 elective units, of which:
- at least 1 must be chosen from Group A
- at least 2 must be chosen from Group B
- no more than 2 may be chosen from Group C
- no more than 1 may be chosen from elsewhere within this training package, or from another endorsed training package, or from an accredited course.
OR
- at least 2 must be chosen from Group A
- a further 3 may be chosen from Group A, B, or C
- no more than 1 may be chosen from elsewhere within this training package, or from another endorsed training package, or from an accredited course.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
Core units
-
- Unit code
- RIIBEF201E
-
- Unit code
- RIICCM201E
-
- Unit code
- RIICCM202E
-
- Unit code
- RIICCM203E
-
- Unit code
- RIICCM205F
-
- Unit code
- RIICCM206E
-
- Unit code
- RIICCM207E
-
- Unit code
- RIICCM208E
-
- Unit code
- RIICOM201E
-
- Unit code
- RIIRIS301E
-
- Unit code
- RIISAM201E
-
- Unit code
- RIISAM203E
-
- Unit code
- RIISAM204E
-
- Unit code
- RIIWHS201E
-
- Unit code
- RIIWMG203E
elective units
Group A
-
- Unit code
- RIIMPO318F
-
- Unit code
- RIIMPO320F
-
- Unit code
- RIIMPO321F
Group B
-
- Unit code
- RIIMPO317F
Group C
-
- Unit code
- RIIHAN308F
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of 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. These individuals may provide theoretical advice and support a team.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
Due to the size of the equipment used in training, applicants must be at least 18 years of age or over by the time of commencement date of the program.
Standard applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment.
Traineeship applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment
- must be employed as an apprentice
- must have an active Epsilon number prior to commencing the course.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Available start dates:
- 28 January 2025
- 21 July 2025
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Direct applications are due on 28 January 2025 for our next intake which starts on 28 January 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
