RPL for Certificate III in Trenchless Technology

Certificate III in Trenchless Technology takes 26 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 RII31619 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 26 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 RII31619. 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 RII31619 involves →

The 26 units you complete, chosen from these 53

You do not do all 53. Certificate III in Trenchless Technology is 9 core units, which everyone does, plus 17 chosen from the 44 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.

Worth knowing: 2 carry licensing or regulatory notes, which differ by state and are worth checking before you start.

Core units — everyone does these

• RIIBEF201D — Plan and organise work
• RIICCM201D — Carry out measurements and calculations
• RIICCM202E — Identify, locate and protect underground services
• RIICCM203D — Read and interpret plans and job specifications
• RIICOM201D — Communicate in the workplace
• RIIIMG301D — Maintain site records
• RIIRIS301E — Apply risk management processes
• RIIWHS201D — Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures
• RIIWHS202D — Enter and work in confined spaces

Electives — you choose from these

• BSBDIV301 — Work effectively with diversity
• CPCCLDG3001A — Licence to perform dogging
• CPCCLSF2001A — Licence to erect, alter and dismantle scaffolding basic level
• NWPNET016 — Inspect sewer or stormwater line
• NWPNET017 — Supervise and report on conduit inspections
• RIICCM205E — Carry out manual excavation
• RIICCM206D — Support plant operations
• RIICCM207D — Spread and compact materials manually
• RIICCM208D — Carry out basic levelling
• RIICCM209D — Carry out concrete work
• RIICCM210D — Install trench support
• RIICCM302 — Track directional boring operations
• RIICCM303 — Conduct vacuum excavations
• RIICPL301D — Install water mains pipelines
• RIICPL302D — Install stormwater systems
• RIICPL303D — Install sewer pipelines
• RIICPL304D — Install pre-cast gully pits
• RIICRC203D — Install sub-soil drainage
• RIICRC208D — Lay pipes
• RIICTT301E — Conduct fluid assisted directional boring
• RIICTT302E — Conduct impact moling, ramming and augering operations
• RIICTT303E — Control micro tunnelling and pipe-jacking operations
• RIICTT304E — Undertake on-line replacement for existing pipeline systems
• RIICTT305E — Undertake localised repair and sealing of existing pipeline systems
• RIICTT306E — Install cure in-place linings for existing pipeline systems
• RIICTT307E — Spray linings for existing pipeline systems
• RIICTT308E — Install close-fit linings for existing pipeline systems
• RIICTT309E — Install slip lining in existing pipeline systems
• RIICTT310E — Renovate large diameter pipes and chambers
• RIIHAN208D — Perform dogging
• RIIHAN211D — Conduct basic scaffolding operations
• RIIHAN301E — Operate elevating work platform
• RIIHAN307E — Operate a vehicle loading crane
• RIIOGF302E — Operate drilling fluids and mud pits
• RIIOGN303D — Operate mud systems
• RIIRIS202D — Respond to site based spills
• RIISAM201D — Handle resources and infrastructure materials and safely dispose of nontoxic materials
• RIISAM203D — Use hand and power tools
• RIISAM204D — Operate small plant and equipment
• RIISAM205D — Cut, weld and bend materials
• RIIWHS205E — Control traffic with stop-slow bat
• RIIWMG203D — Drain and dewater civil construction site
• TLILIC0002 — Licence to operate a vehicle loading crane (capacity 10 metre tonnes and above)
• TLILIC0005 — Licence to operate a boom-type elevating work platform (boom length 11 metres or more)

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 Well Servicing Operations (RII32226, 14 units)
• Certificate IV in Surface Coal Mining (Open Cut Examiner) (RII40226, 14 units)
• Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations (RII40120, 13 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 RII31619 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.