RPL for Certificate IV in Underground Metalliferous Mining Operations

Certificate IV in Underground Metalliferous Mining Operations takes 16 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 RII40320 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 16 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 RII40320. 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 RII40320 involves →

The 16 units you complete, chosen from these 36

You do not do all 36. Certificate IV in Underground Metalliferous Mining Operations is 8 core units, which everyone does, plus 8 chosen from the 28 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

• BSBSUS411 — Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices
• BSBWHS411 — Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs
• RIICOM301E — Communicate information
• RIIGOV401E — Apply, monitor and report on compliance systems
• RIIMEX404E — Apply and monitor systems for stable mining
• RIIQUA201E — Maintain and monitor site quality standards
• RIIRIS301E — Apply risk management processes
• RIIWHS301E — Conduct safety and health investigations

Electives — you choose from these

• 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
• BSBPEF402 — Develop personal work priorities
• BSBSTR401 — Promote innovation in team environments
• BSBSTR402 — Implement continuous improvement
• HLTAID011 — Provide First Aid
• RIIBLA303E — Conduct underground development shotfiring
• RIIBLA304E — Conduct underground production shotfiring
• RIIBLA401E — Manage blasting operations
• RIIBLA402E — Monitor and control the effects of blasting on the environment
• RIIERR403E — Lead rescue teams
• RIIERR404D — Apply and monitor underground Metalliferous mine emergency preparedness and response systems
• RIILAT402E — Provide leadership in the supervision of diverse work teams
• RIIMEX406D — Apply and monitor mine transport systems and production equipment
• RIIRAI401D — Apply and monitor mine services and infrastructure systems
• RIIRIS402E — Carry out the risk management process
• RIIRIS403E — Manage and coordinate spill response
• RIISAM403E — Commission/recommission plant
• RIIUND401E — Apply and monitor the ventilation management plan
• RIIWHS401E — Supervise work in confined spaces
• RIIWHS403E — Apply the work health and safety management system
• 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 Surface Extraction Operations (RII40120, 13 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 RII40320 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.