Qualification Outline
22/07/2026 6:21 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations
Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations
RII30220
BFH4
Current
Approved
National Endorsed, State Implementation and Classification
Releases
| Release Version | Release Date | TGA Status | DTWD Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.00 | 21/09/2021 | Replaced | Approved |
| 2.00 | 12/03/2021 | Replaced | Approved |
| 1.00 | 23/09/2020 | Replaced | Approved |
Description
This qualification reflects the role of skilled workers, including production operators, working in underground coal mines, who perform tasks involving a broad range of skilled applications in varied work contexts, using some discretion and judgement in selecting equipment, services and contingency measures.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Licensing, legislative and certification requirements that apply to this qualification can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Users must check requirements with relevant body before applying the qualification.
Schedule
Packaging Rules
SPECIALISATIONS:The qualification has core and elective units of competency that cover the skills for the following four (4) specialisations:
Specialisation 1 - Continuous Mining Operations
Specialisation 2 - High Wall Mining Operations
Specialisation 3 - Longwall Operations
Specialisation 4 - Services
The core and elective unit requirements of one (1) stream must be met for this qualification to be awarded.
All elective units chosen from outside this qualification must reflect current occupational and learning outcomes of this AQF qualification level.
There are both licensed and non-licensed units of competency relating to high risk work in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package. To be appointed under any statutory requirements in related roles, units of competency should be chosen to meet the state/territory licensing requirements.
There are no prerequisites to imported units listed in this qualification. Where a unit is imported as an elective care must be taken to ensure that all prerequisites specified are complied with.
To be awarded the Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations (Continuous Mining Operations) the following packaging rules apply:
Total number of units = eleven (11)
- Three (3) core units plus
- Eight (8) elective units, of which:
- Three (3) must be chosen from the electives in Group A
- At least three (3) must be chosen from the electives in Group B
- Up to two (2) may be chosen from elsewhere within this training package, or from another endorsed training package, or from an accredited course.
To be awarded the Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations (High Wall Mining Operations) the following packaging rules apply:
Total number of units = nine (9)
- Three (3) core units plus
- Six (6) elective units, of which:
- Three (3) must be chosen from the electives in Group C
- At least one (1) must be chosen from the electives in Group D
- Up to two (2) may be chosen from elsewhere within this training package, or from another endorsed training package, or from an accredited course.
To be awarded the Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations (Longwall Operations) the following packaging rules apply:
Total number of units = twelve (12)
- Three (3) core units plus
- Nine (9) elective units, of which:
- Three (3) must be chosen from the electives in Group E
- At least three (3) must be chosen from the electives in Group F
- Up to two (2) may be chosen from elsewhere within this training package, or from another endorsed training package, or from an accredited course.
To be awarded the Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations (Services) the following packaging rules apply:
Total number of units = twelve (12)
- Three (3) core units plus
- Nine (9) elective units, of which:
- at least two (2) must be chosen from the electives in Group G
- at least four (4) must be chosen from the electives in Group H
- up to two (3) may be chosen from elsewhere within this training package, or from another endorsed training package, or from an accredited course.
1. Core Units
All three (3) units must be completed.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBM86 | RIIRIS301E | Apply risk management processes | 30 | Unit of competency |
| OAK91 | RIIERR201E | Conduct fire team operations | 16 | Unit of competency |
| OCD08 | RIIUND207E | Conduct underground lifting operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
2. Group A (Continuous Mining Operations)
To be awarded the Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations (Continuous Mining Operations) the following packaging rules apply:
- three (3) units must be chosen from the electives in Group A
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBV89 | RIIMCU303E | Conduct continuous miner operations | 100 | Unit of competency |
| OBW68 | RIIMCU301E | Conduct specialised strata control operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
| WH339 | RIIMCU210D | Conduct stonedusting operations | 20 | Unit of competency |
3. Group B (Continuous Mining Operations)
To be awarded the Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations (Continuous Mining Operations) the following packaging rules apply:
At least three (3) units must be chosen from the electives in Group B
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBW66 | RIIENV301E | Conduct atmospheric monitoring | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OBV76 | RIIMCU213E | Conduct feeder breaker operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OBW86 | RIIMCU310E | Conduct flexible conveyor train (FCT) operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OBV98 | RIIMCU305E | Conduct outburst mining operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OBW14 | RIIMCU304E | Conduct shuttle car operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OBW84 | RIIMCU401E | Conduct special roadway operations | 60 | Unit of competency |
| WH331 | RIIMCU202D | Conduct tracked vehicle/plant operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
| WH333 | RIIMCU204D | Conduct wheeled vehicle operations (articulated) | 40 | Unit of competency |
| WH332 | RIIMCU203D | Conduct wheeled vehicle operations (non-articulated) | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OBW87 | RIIMCU309E | Operate breaker line supports | 40 | Unit of competency |
| WH330 | RIIMCU201D | Operate power tram | 40 | Unit of competency |
4. Group C (High Wall Mining Operations)
To be awarded the Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations (High Wall Mining Operations) the following packaging rules apply:
Three (3) units must be chosen from the electives in Group C
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBW66 | RIIENV301E | Conduct atmospheric monitoring | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCC82 | RIIPEO301E | Conduct conveyor-car high wall mining operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCC80 | RIIPEO202E | Provide deck support for conveyor-car high wall mining operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
5. Group D (High Wall Mining Operations)
To be awarded the Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations (High Wall Mining Operations) the following packaging rules apply:
At least one (1) unit must be chosen from the electives in Group D
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OAK69 | RIIMPO304E | Conduct wheel loader operations | 65 | Unit of competency |
| OAK87 | RIIHAN201E | Operate a forklift | 40 | Unit of competency |
6. Group E (Longwall Operations)
To be awarded the Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations (Longwall Operations) the following packaging rules apply:
Three (3) units must be chosen from the electives in Group E
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBW90 | RIIMCU307E | Conduct longwall face equipment operations | 100 | Unit of competency |
| OBW91 | RIIMCU306E | Conduct shearer operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
| WH344 | RIIMCU215D | Operate longwall ancillary equipment | 40 | Unit of competency |
7. Group F (Longwall Operations)
To be awarded the Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations (Longwall Operations) the following packaging rules apply:
At least three (3) units must be chosen from the electives in Group F
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBW66 | RIIENV301E | Conduct atmospheric monitoring | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OBW68 | RIIMCU301E | Conduct specialised strata control operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
| WH339 | RIIMCU210D | Conduct stonedusting operations | 20 | Unit of competency |
| WH331 | RIIMCU202D | Conduct tracked vehicle/plant operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
| WH333 | RIIMCU204D | Conduct wheeled vehicle operations (articulated) | 40 | Unit of competency |
| WH332 | RIIMCU203D | Conduct wheeled vehicle operations (non-articulated) | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OBW74 | RIIMCU308E | Install and recover longwall equipment | 40 | Unit of competency |
| WH330 | RIIMCU201D | Operate power tram | 40 | Unit of competency |
8. Group G (Services)
To be awarded the Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations (Services) the following packaging rules apply:
At least two (2) units must be chosen from the electives in Group G
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBW66 | RIIENV301E | Conduct atmospheric monitoring | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OBW68 | RIIMCU301E | Conduct specialised strata control operations | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OBW04 | RIIMCU302F | Construct and maintain ventilation devices | 35 | Unit of competency |
| OBW74 | RIIMCU308E | Install and recover longwall equipment | 40 | Unit of competency |
| WH710 | RIIUND201D | Install, maintain and recover reticulation systems | 20 | Unit of competency |
9. Group H (Services)
To be awarded the Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations (Services) the following packaging rules apply:
At least four (4) units must be chosen from the electives in Group H
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
10. Group I (General Underground Coal Operations)
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEE3 | RII30218 | Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations | Qualification |
No information
Entry Requirements
Successful completion of the following or equivalent:
RIICOM201E Communicate in the workplace
RIIERR203E Escape from hazardous situation unaided
RIIERR205D Apply initial response first aid
RIIGOV201E Comply with site work processes/procedures
RIIMCU217 Apply spontaneous combustion management measures
RIIMCU208E Conduct basic strata control operations
RIIMCU214E Conduct ventilation operations
RIIRIS201E Conduct local risk control
RIIWHS201E Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures.
Traineeships and Apprenticeships