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Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining PMA

Overview

Commencements

Availability & Duration

Australian School-based Apprenticeships

Overview

These qualifications cover process plant operator and technicians areas of work in the streams of Chemical, Hydrocarbons - Extraction and Transmission, and Refining (including oil, aluminium smelting and alumina refining and the surface coatings sectors).

‘Manufacturing’ and Resources and Infrastructure’ are associated industries.

Quick facts

The training units of competent structure and packing rules are detailed in Training Package documents.

The information provided here includes the most recent changes from the PMA (release 2.1) Training Package.

The Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining Training Package PMA (release 2.1) includes 5 qualifications and 12 skill sets.

Registered Training Organisations can access the full details of this Training Package from the training.gov.au website.

Career information

Qualification and job outcome information is also presented in a Job Pathways Chart.

For specific industry information click here.

More detail of how training works can be accessed here: for employers; for potential employees.

Use the My Skills site to search for Registered Training Organisations registered to deliver courses. Each State and Territory separately approves Registered Training Organisations to deliver apprenticeships and traineeships in their jurisdiction.

Qualifications Summary

PMA20116 - Certificate II in Process Plant Operations

This is a technical qualification for operators in the hydrocarbons, petrochemical, chemical, metal/ore processing and related process manufacturing industry sectors. It is intended for competent operators who operate production equipment or undertake similar roles directly producing products.

Process Plant Operator (Hydrocarbons Extraction)

Chemical Process Plant Operator

Process Plant Operator (Hydrocarbons Transmission)

Process Plant Operator (CSG Sector)

PMA30116 - Certificate III in Process Plant Operations

This is a technical qualification for advanced operators and operations technicians who use production equipment to directly produce product. At this level, operators/technicians would undertake more advanced operations, typically of integrated plant units in accordance with the operating procedures, and would apply their knowledge to anticipate problems.

Plant Operator (CSG Plant)

Process Plant Operator (Chemical)

Process Plant Operator (Emergency Support)

Process Plant Operator (Hydrocarbons Extraction)

Process Plant Operator (Hydrocarbons Transmission)

Process Plant Operator (LNG Plant)

Process Plant Technician

PMA30120 - Certificate III in Process Plant Operations

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.

Offshore Oil Upstream Plant Operator

Gas/LNG Upstream Plant Operator

Gas/LNG Downstream Plant Operator

Utility Plant Operator

CSG Plant Operator

CSG Well Operator

CSG Pipeline Operator

PMA40116 - Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology

This qualification is for plant technicians and operations technicians who will typically be involved in solving complex problems which require theoretical knowledge, combined with an understanding of the production process and equipment across the plant.

Hydrocarbons Plant Technician

Chemical Plant Technician

Plant Technician (Emergency Response)

LPG Plant Technician

Oil Refinery Plant Technician

PMA50116 - Diploma of Process Plant Technology

A qualification that delivers advanced technical training.

Chemical Plant Technician

Process Plant Project Coordinator

Note: Employers should be aware that this information is provided as a guide only to the content and use of the Training Package. Employers should seek advice from an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (Apprenticeship Network) provider or Registered Training Organisation for more detail.

Commencements

	NSW	VIC	QLD	WA	SA	TAS	ACT	NT
PMA20116 - Certificate II in Process Plant Operations
Annual Commencements	0	0	10	0	0	5	0	0
PMA30116 - Certificate III in Process Plant Operations
Annual Commencements	5	5	50	55	0	0	0	5
PMA30120 - Certificate III in Process Plant Operations
Annual Commencements	0	0	15	0	0	0	0	0
PMA40116 - Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology
Annual Commencements	0	85	0	5	0	0	0	0

Commencement data source: National Apprentices and Trainees collection, VOCSTATS, extracted 20/10/2021, rounded estimates for April 2020 to March 2021. Qualifications with no recorded commencements may not appear. This data is for general information purposes only.

Availability and Duration

	NSW	VIC	QLD	WA	SA	TAS	ACT	NT
PMA20116 - Certificate II in Process Plant Operations
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	12 mths		12 mths	18 mths		24 mths		18 mths
Part Time
Classification	T		T	T		*		T
PMA30116 - Certificate III in Process Plant Operations
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	24 mths
Part Time
Classification	T					*
PMA30120 - Certificate III in Process Plant Operations
Full Time (Nominal Duration)		24 mths	24 mths	24 mths	36 mths			36 mths
Part Time
Classification		T	T	T	T	*		T
PMA40116 - Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	36 mths	36 mths	36 mths	36 mths				36 mths
Part Time
Classification	T	T	T	T		*		T
PMA50116 - Diploma of Process Plant Technology
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	24 mths			12 mths			24 mths
Part Time
Classification	T			T		*	T

Legend: = Yes, = No, A = identified by the State or Territory as an Apprenticeship, T = identified by the State or Territory as a Traineeship, * = An approved qualification in Tasmania is available as an Apprenticeship/Traineeship.

Availability of Australian Apprenticeships and Nominal Duration (in months)
A Qualification registered by a State or Territory as available as an Australian Apprenticeship may not be eligible for public funding support, check with the relevant State or Territory Training Authority.

Nominal durations listed are for full time occuptations, stated in months. In some cases nominal durations provided may not include the completion of pre-requisites. This data is sourced from State and Territory Training Authorities and is provided for information only and must be confirmed with these authorities.

Australian School-based Apprenticeships

	NSW	VIC	QLD	WA	SA	TAS	ACT	NT
PMA20116 - Certificate II in Process Plant Operations
Availability
PMA30120 - Certificate III in Process Plant Operations
Availability
PMA40116 - Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology
Availability

Legend: = Yes, = No

This information generally reflects availability of ASbAs that may contribute to study scores. In some cases ASbAs allow an individual to start training in a qualification that can be completed after they leave secondary school. Australian Apprenticeships may also be undertaken as part-time employment. Please note that applicable industrial arrangements must allow for ASbAs. Visit the relevant State or Territory website for more detailed information (click on the State or Territory link provided).

Not what you're looking for?

Quick facts

Career information

Major Occupations Training

CSG Pipeline Operator

Gas/LNG Upstream Plant Operator

Offshore Oil Upstream Plant Operator

Utility Plant Operator

Gas/LNG Downstream Plant Operator

PMA20116 - Certificate II in Process Plant Operations

Process Plant Operator (Hydrocarbons Extraction)

Chemical Process Plant Operator

Process Plant Operator (Hydrocarbons Transmission)

Process Plant Operator (CSG Sector)

PMA30116 - Certificate III in Process Plant Operations

Plant Operator (CSG Plant)

Process Plant Operator (Chemical)

Process Plant Operator (Emergency Support)

Process Plant Operator (Hydrocarbons Extraction)

Process Plant Operator (Hydrocarbons Transmission)

Process Plant Operator (LNG Plant)

Process Plant Technician

PMA30120 - Certificate III in Process Plant Operations

Offshore Oil Upstream Plant Operator

Gas/LNG Upstream Plant Operator

Gas/LNG Downstream Plant Operator

Utility Plant Operator

CSG Plant Operator

CSG Well Operator

CSG Pipeline Operator

PMA40116 - Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology

Hydrocarbons Plant Technician

Chemical Plant Technician

Plant Technician (Emergency Response)

LPG Plant Technician

Oil Refinery Plant Technician

PMA50116 - Diploma of Process Plant Technology

Chemical Plant Technician

Process Plant Project Coordinator

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Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining PMA

Overview

Commencements

Availability & Duration

Australian School-based Apprenticeships

Quick facts

Career information

Major Occupations Training

Qualifications Summary

PMA20116 - Certificate II in Process Plant Operations

PMA30116 - Certificate III in Process Plant Operations

PMA30120 - Certificate III in Process Plant Operations

PMA40116 - Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology

PMA50116 - Diploma of Process Plant Technology

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