Do You Need An Excavator License in Australia?
Operating an excavator is a big deal on any building or mining site. These machines do everything from shifting dirt and rubble to digging holes for pipes and building bases. Excavators are like the Swiss Army knives of construction equipment – they handle all sorts of tough jobs.
Do you need an excavator license in Australia?
No, but you might not be able to get a job without one!
Can you operate an excavator without a license?
Now, you might be wondering if you need a special license to operate an excavator. The short answer is no, but your job opportunities will be vastly better if you have one.
You don't need a specific license like you do for some other machines, but you still need to prove you know what you're doing before you can get a job driving an excavator. This is because of the Workplace Health and Safety laws in Australia. These laws say it's up to your boss to make sure you're trained up and can use the excavator safely.
So, how do you prove experience operating an excavator?
Well, each worksite might have its own way of checking, but generally, they'll want to see some evidence that you're competent. This could be things like:
Showing you've had a license before.
Proving you've worked with heavy machinery in the past.
Having a record of training you've done, usually less than two years old.
Do you need any paperwork to operate an excavator at home?
Now, what if you're just using an excavator for your own DIY project on your property? Like, you're digging up your backyard to put in a pool. Do you need a license for that? Nope! If it's just for your own use on your own land, you're good to go without any special paperwork. The folks who give you the machine will tell you everything you need to know about using it safely. But if you hire someone else to do the digging, they'll need to show they know what they're doing.
How do you get an excavator ticket if you already have experience?
Luckily there’s a pathway for experienced operators to get certified without the need for long, expensive training courses. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) requires very experienced operators to submit a portfolio of experience to an experienced trainer.
If you’re an experienced operator you can use the RPL process to get yourself certified, without having to undertake a full, in person training course.
Skill Ready’s RPL process makes it quick and easy to prove your experience and get certified for a lot less than the cost of a full course.
You can get your tickets through RPL by contacting us at Skill Ready Training
