Qualification Outline
22/07/2026 4:25 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 Process Plant Operations
Certificate III in Process Plant Operations
PMA30120
BGB2
Current
Approved
National Endorsed, State Implementation and Classification
Releases
| Release Version | Release Date | TGA Status | DTWD Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.00 | 21/09/2022 | Current | Approved |
| 2.00 | 05/05/2021 | Replaced | Approved |
| 1.00 | 16/11/2020 | Replaced | Approved |
Description
This qualification reflects the role of advanced operators and operations technicians who use production equipment to directly produce product. At this level, operators/technicians undertake advanced operations, typically of integrated plant units in accordance with the operating procedures and apply their knowledge to anticipate problems. They are expected to solve a range of foreseen and unforeseen problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems that do not have a known solution or a solution recorded in the procedures.
Schedule
Packaging Rules
To be awarded the PMA30120 Certificate III in Process Plant Operations competency must be achieved in twenty-one (21) units of competency:- five (5) core units
- sixteen (16) elective units, consisting of:
- at least fourteen (14) different units from the electives listed below
- up to two (2) units from any endorsed training package or accredited course - these units must be relevant to the work outcome.
Any combination of electives that meets the rules above can be selected for the award of the PMA30120 Certificate III in Process Plant Operations. Where appropriate, electives may be packaged to provide a qualification with a specialisation.
Packaging for each specialisation:
- All units in Group A and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (Offshore Oil Upstream)
- All units in Group B and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (Gas/LNG Upstream)
- All units in Group C and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (Gas/LNG Downstream)
- All units in Group D and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (Utilities)
- All units in Group E and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (CSG Plant)
- All units in Group F and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (CSG Well)
- All units in Group G and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (CSG Pipelines)
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
1. Core Units
All five (5) units must be completed.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWC36 | MSMSUP100 | Apply workplace context to own job | 26 | Unit of competency |
| AWC20 | MSMSUP102 | Communicate in the workplace | 26 | Unit of competency |
| AWC06 | MSMWHS110 | Follow emergency response procedures | 26 | Unit of competency |
| AWC13 | MSMENV272 | Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | 20 | Unit of competency |
| AWC15 | MSMWHS200 | Work safely | 26 | Unit of competency |
2. Group A electives: Offshore Oil Upstream specialisation
All units in Group A and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (Offshore Oil Upstream).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
NOTE: PMAOPS336 OR PMAOPS334 to be chosen, NOT both.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCK61 | PMAOPS363 | Operate and troubleshoot export systems | 30 | Unit of competency |
| OCK63 | PMAOPS336 | Operate and troubleshoot fixed-bed adsorption system | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK99 | PMAOPS334 | Operate and troubleshoot gas absorption system | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK80 | PMAOPS357 | Operate and troubleshoot produced water and water injection systems | 40 | Unit of competency |
| AXN27 | PMAOPS246 | Operate separation equipment | 15 | Unit of competency |
| OCL02 | PMAOPS322 | Undertake well management | 40 | Unit of competency |
3. Group B electives: Gas/LNG Upstream specialisation
All units in Group B and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (Gas/LNG Upstream).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
NOTE: PMAOPS336 OR PMAOPS334 to be chosen, NOT both.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCK70 | PMAOPS370 | Operate and troubleshoot condensate stabilisation systems | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK61 | PMAOPS363 | Operate and troubleshoot export systems | 30 | Unit of competency |
| OCK63 | PMAOPS336 | Operate and troubleshoot fixed-bed adsorption system | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK99 | PMAOPS334 | Operate and troubleshoot gas absorption system | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCL02 | PMAOPS322 | Undertake well management | 40 | Unit of competency |
4. Group C electives: Gas/LNG Downstream specialisation
All units in Group C and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (Gas/LNG Downstream).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCK65 | PMAOPS341 | Operate and troubleshoot cryogenic processes | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK97 | PMAOPS310 | Operate and troubleshoot distillation system | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK63 | PMAOPS336 | Operate and troubleshoot fixed-bed adsorption system | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK92 | PMAOPS346 | Operate and troubleshoot liquefaction process | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK89 | PMAOPS343 | Transfer bulk fluids into/out of storage facility | 50 | Unit of competency |
5. Group D electives: Utilities specialisation
All units in Group D and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (Utilities).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCK68 | PMAOPS332 | Generate electrical power | 30 | Unit of competency |
| OCK76 | PMAOPS367 | Operate and troubleshoot cooling water systems | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK73 | PMAOPS369 | Operate and troubleshoot drain and vent systems | 30 | Unit of competency |
| OCK82 | PMAOPS355 | Operate and troubleshoot fuel systems | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK75 | PMAOPS368 | Operate and troubleshoot heating medium/hot oil systems | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK88 | PMAOPS349 | Operate and troubleshoot hydraulic systems | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK83 | PMAOPS354 | Operate and troubleshoot inert gas generation systems | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK58 | PMAOPS352 | Operate and troubleshoot instrument and plant air systems | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK67 | PMAOPS356 | Operate and troubleshoot water treatment systems | 60 | Unit of competency |
| AXN51 | PMAOPS204 | Select and use utilities and services | 40 | Unit of competency |
6. Group E electives: CSG Plant specialisation
All units in Group E and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (CSG Plant).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
NOTE: PMAOPS201 OR PMAOPS222 to be chosen, NOT both.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXN19 | PMAOPS280 | Interpret process plant schematics | 20 | Unit of competency |
| AXN40 | PMAOPS222 | Operate and monitor pumping systems and equipment | 40 | Unit of competency |
| AXN39 | PMAOPS223 | Operate and monitor valve systems | 20 | Unit of competency |
| OCK81 | PMAOPS314 | Operate and troubleshoot compressor systems | 30 | Unit of competency |
| OCK85 | PMAOPS306 | Operate and troubleshoot production unit | 40 | Unit of competency |
| AXN52 | PMAOPS201 | Operate fluid flow equipment | 60 | Unit of competency |
| AXN49 | PMAOPS205 | Operate heat exchangers | 40 | Unit of competency |
| AXN27 | PMAOPS246 | Operate separation equipment | 15 | Unit of competency |
7. Group F electives: CSG Well specialisation
All units in Group F and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (CSG Well).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
NOTE: PMAOPS201 OR PMAOPS222 to be chosen, NOT both.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCL01 | PMAOPS318 | Conduct artificial lift | 20 | Unit of competency |
| AXN19 | PMAOPS280 | Interpret process plant schematics | 20 | Unit of competency |
| AXN33 | PMAOPS233 | Monitor wells and gathering systems | 30 | Unit of competency |
| AXN40 | PMAOPS222 | Operate and monitor pumping systems and equipment | 40 | Unit of competency |
| AXN39 | PMAOPS223 | Operate and monitor valve systems | 20 | Unit of competency |
| OCK95 | PMAOPS339 | Operate and troubleshoot wells and gathering systems | 40 | Unit of competency |
| AXN52 | PMAOPS201 | Operate fluid flow equipment | 60 | Unit of competency |
8. Group G electives: CSG Pipeline specialisation
All units in Group G and Group H electives must be selected for award of the Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (CSG Pipelines).
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCK71 | PMAOPS338 | Communicate and monitor pipeline activities | 40 | Unit of competency |
| OCK94 | PMAOPS342 | Conduct pipeline pigging | 20 | Unit of competency |
| AXN19 | PMAOPS280 | Interpret process plant schematics | 20 | Unit of competency |
| AXM51 | PMASUP241 | Maintain pipeline easements | 20 | Unit of competency |
| AXN36 | PMAOPS230 | Monitor, operate and maintain pipeline stations and equipment | 40 | Unit of competency |
| AXN39 | PMAOPS223 | Operate and monitor valve systems | 20 | Unit of competency |
| AXN44 | PMAOPS216 | Operate local control system | 40 | Unit of competency |
9. Group H electives: Tradecraft and permit to work/isolations
Any combination of electives that meets the rules above can be selected for the award.
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXN86 | MSMWHS201 | Conduct hazard analysis | 20 | Unit of competency |
| OCK91 | PMAOPS347 | Create and conduct isolations in the workplace | 60 | Unit of competency |
| AXO08 | MSMSUP303 | Identify equipment faults | 26 | Unit of competency |
| AXO20 | MSMPER201 | Monitor and control work permits | 20 | Unit of competency |
| AXM46 | PMASUP244 | Prepare and isolate plant | 30 | Unit of competency |
| AWC09 | MSMSUP240 | Undertake minor maintenance | 26 | Unit of competency |
10. Other electives
Any combination of electives that meets the rules above can be selected for the award.
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of available options.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAM8 | PMA30116 | Certificate III in Process Plant Operations | Qualification |
No information
Entry Requirements
Nil
Traineeships and Apprenticeships