RPL for Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations

Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations takes 13 units. Through Recognition of Prior Learning, each unit is assessed on evidence of work you have already done rather than on training you sit through.

What the assessment looks at

Every unit sets out what you must be able to do and what you must know. An assessor works through them one at a time, asking the same question each time: does this person's evidence show they can do this reliably, in a real workplace, recently enough to count?

You can read the full requirements for RII40120 on the national training register. They are public, and worth a look before you spend anything — if the units describe work you have never done, RPL is not your route.

Evidence worth gathering before you start

• Photos of completed jobs, ideally showing a few stages of the same job, with their original dates intact.
• Job sheets, dockets, work orders or site diaries covering a spread of jobs.
• Supervisors, employers or clients who will confirm specifically what you did.
• Any licences or tickets you already hold.

How the guided process works

You work through the 13 units one at a time, talking about jobs you have actually done. You can speak rather than type. Add photos as you find them, and stop whenever you like — progress saves itself, and most people spread this over weeks while they dig out records. At the end you have an evidence portfolio your RTO's assessor can work through.

What this does not do

It does not assess you, and it cannot promise you RII40120. An assessor at a registered training organisation makes that decision and may require further evidence or training. What a complete portfolio buys you is a fair assessment rather than a rejection over paperwork.

See what RII40120 involves →

The 13 units you complete, chosen from these 62

You do not do all 62. Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations is 4 core units, which everyone does, plus 9 chosen from the 58 electives below. Read both lists before you spend anything — it is the fastest way to tell whether RPL is your route. If most of this describes work you have done, you have a case to make. If whole sections describe work you have never touched, an assessor will say so, and doing the course is the honest answer.

Core units — everyone does these

• RIICOM301E — Communicate information
• RIIENV302E — Apply environmentally sustainable work practices
• RIIGOV401E — Apply, monitor and report on compliance systems
• RIIRIS401E — Apply site risk management system

Electives — you choose from these

• BSBESB401 — Research and develop business plans
• BSBESB403 — Plan finances for new business ventures
• BSBESB404 — Market new business ventures
• BSBFIN401 — Report on financial activity
• BSBHRM413 — Support the learning and development of teams and individuals
• BSBINS402 — Coordinate workplace information systems
• BSBLDR411 — Demonstrate leadership in the workplace
• BSBOPS402 — Coordinate business operational plans
• BSBOPS404 — Implement customer service strategies
• BSBPEF402 — Develop personal work priorities
• BSBWHS411 — Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs
• BSBWHS521 — Ensure a safe workplace for a work area
• HLTAID011 — Provide First Aid
• ICTICT312 — Use advanced features of applications
• RIIARO401 — Supervise autonomous operations
• RIIBLA301E — Conduct surface shotfiring operations
• RIIBLA401E — Manage blasting operations
• RIIBLA402E — Monitor and control the effects of blasting on the environment
• RIICCR401E — Develop and maintain positive community relations
• RIIENV401E — Supervise dust and noise control
• RIIERR201 — Conduct fire team operations
• RIIERR205D — Apply initial response First Aid
• RIIERR301E — Respond to work site incidents
• RIIERR302E — Respond to local emergencies and incidents
• RIIERR401E — Apply and monitor emergency preparedness and response systems in surface operations
• RIIERR403E — Lead rescue teams
• RIIERR406 — Provide support for rescue operations
• RIILAT402E — Provide leadership in the supervision of diverse work teams
• RIIMEX401D — Apply pit plan
• RIIMEX402E — Supervise dredging operations
• RIIMEX404E — Apply and monitor systems for stable mining
• RIIMEX405E — Apply and monitor systems and methods of surface coal mining
• RIIMEX407 — Apply and monitor the ground control management plan
• RIIMEX408 — Supervise overburden dump operations
• RIIMPO401D — Supervise mobile plant operations
• RIIMPO403D — Monitor interaction of heavy and light vehicles and mining equipment
• RIIPRO401D — Supervise processing operations
• RIIPRO402D — Supervise recycled materials operations
• RIIQUA401E — Apply a quality management system on site
• RIIRAI401D — Apply and monitor mine services and infrastructure systems
• RIIRAI402D — Apply and monitor site plant and resource management plan
• RIIRIS301 — Apply risk management processes
• RIIRIS403E — Manage and coordinate spill response
• RIIRIS501E — Implement and maintain management systems to control risk
• RIISAM401E — Apply site plant, equipment and infrastructure maintenance management plans
• RIISAM403E — Commission/recommission plant
• RIISRM401D — Apply and monitor the site stockpile management plan
• RIISTD401 — Monitor quarry laboratory operations and the quality of results
• RIIWBP401D — Apply and monitor site waste and by-products management plan
• RIIWHS301E — Conduct safety and health investigations
• RIIWHS401E — Supervise work in confined spaces
• RIIWHS402E — Examine and maintain mine safety
• RIIWMG401D — Apply and monitor the site water management plan
• TAEASS311 — Contribute to assessment
• TAEASS401 — Plan assessment activities and processes
• TAEASS412 — Assess competence
• TAEASS413 — Participate in assessment validation
• TAEDEL311 — Provide work skill instruction

Each unit breaks down further into elements and performance criteria — the specific things you have to be able to show. The guide works through them one unit at a time and asks about jobs you have actually done, rather than making you read the register yourself.

Related qualifications

Same training package, and a common second choice for people who find this one is not quite their trade:

• Certificate III in Civil Foundations (RII31220, 26 units)
• Certificate III in Drilling Operations (RII31820, 13 units)
• Certificate III in Trenchless Technology (RII31619, 26 units)
• Certificate III in Well Servicing Operations (RII32226, 14 units)
• Certificate IV in Surface Coal Mining (Open Cut Examiner) (RII40226, 14 units)
• Certificate IV in Underground Metalliferous Mining Operations (RII40320, 16 units)

More RPL in resources and infrastructure

Every qualification in this industry, which of them have a guide ready, and what assessors here accept as evidence: RPL in resources and infrastructure.

When you are ready, see what RII40120 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.