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Version Effective: 13th of February, 2024
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PMA30120 - Certificate III in Process Plant Operations

Course Details

Course Summary

The Certificate III in Process Plant Operation is intended for advanced operators and operations technicians who use production equipment to directly produce products. At this level, operators/technicians would undertake more advanced operations, typically of integrated plant units in accordance with the operating procedures, and would apply this knowledge to anticipate problems. You will be expected to solve a range of foreseen and unforeseen problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution or a solution recorded in the procedures.

Entry Requirements

Ability to work in a Production Environment which may include inclement weather i.e. hot / cold or storm events, plant shutdowns, process plant upsets, walking up and down stairs in production areas.

There are no entry requirements for this qualification. However, CQ University require the completion of the bksb (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment, unless the student has completed an equal or higher level course.

Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees For detailed information on Course Fees, visit www.cqu.edu.au/fees
Application Mode
  • Direct To University
  • Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC)
How to Apply Please Enquire or Apply Now
Study Area
  • Apprenticeships, Trades & Training
  • Mining and Energy
  • Start TAFE Now
Skill Area
  • Engineering
  • Laboratory Technology
  • Mining
  • Process/Manufact Food
  • Utilities
AQF Level Level 3: Certificate III

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes 		Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes 		Not Applicable

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

Certificate III in Process Plant Operations (PMA30120) provides opportunities to progress to Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology (PMA40116) through to Diploma (PMA50116) and Advanced Diploma in Process Plant Technology (PMA60116) in to other production type roles including but not limited to engineering, leadership or management.

Course Structures

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete 5 core units
  2. Complete 16 elective units

Study Mode Definitions

  • Online: Online courses provide the flexibility to study without normally requiring a student to visit a campus. Course content is studied through a number of means including the use of online discussion forums, electronic library resources, by contacting lecturers and teachers, and receiving study materials online/electronically. Work integrated learning, including placements, may be included in some courses.
  • On-campus: Students studying in on-campus mode typically are expected to attend and participate in regular, structured on-campus teaching and learning activities throughout the University’s academic term. These activities may include lectures, tutorials, workshops and practice, online or other activities and normally will be timetabled at a CQUniversity campus or approved delivery site.
  • Mixed Mode: Students studying in mixed mode will participate in a combination of online learning activities in addition to site-specific learning activities, which may include residential schools, co-op placements and/or work-integrated learning as a compulsory requirement of a unit. The additional site-specific learning activities are what differentiates a mixed-mode unit from an online unit.

*All study modes may include Vocational placement and/or work integrated learning.

Select a course structure below to view the delivery details, including the different study modes offered for each structure.

Standard Course Structure

The planned duration of the program will be delivered over a 43 week period (458 hours)

  • On-campus
  • Mixed Mode
  • Employer Based (VET Providers Only)
  • RPL/RCC/Credit
  • Online
Core Units

To be awarded the PMA30120 Certificate III in Process Plant Operations competency must be achieved in twenty-one (21) units of competency, which consists of:

5 core units; and

16 pre-selected elective units from within the packaging rules for PMA30120 Certificate III in Process Plant Operations
MSMWHS200 Work safely More Information Training.gov Details
MSMWHS110 Follow emergency response procedures More Information Training.gov Details
MSMSUP102 Communicate in the workplace More Information Training.gov Details
MSMSUP100 Apply workplace context to own job More Information Training.gov Details
MSMENV272 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices More Information Training.gov Details
Pre-Selected Elective Units
MSMSUP390 Use structured problem-solving tools More Information Training.gov Details
PMASUP244 Prepare and isolate plant More Information Training.gov Details
MSMPER201 Monitor and control work permits More Information Training.gov Details
MSMSUP240 Undertake minor maintenance More Information Training.gov Details
MSMSUP292 Sample and test materials and product More Information Training.gov Details
MSMSUP200 Achieve work outcomes More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS222 Operate and monitor pumping systems and equipment More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS246 OPERATE SEPARATION EQUIPMENT More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS310 OPERATE AND TROUBLESHOOT DISTILLATION SYSTEM More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS341 Operate and troubleshoot cryogenic processes More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS331 Operate and troubleshoot turbine systems More Information Training.gov Details
MSMSUP210 Process and Record Information More Information Training.gov Details
MSMPER200 Work in accordance with an issued permit More Information Training.gov Details
MSMOPS200 Operate equipment More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS221 Operate and monitor prime movers More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS101 Read dials and indicators More Information Training.gov Details
MSMOPS100 Use equipment More Information Training.gov Details
MSMSUP303 IDENTIFY EQUIPMENT FAULTS More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS306 OPERATE AND TROUBLESHOOT A PRODUCTION UNIT More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS280 Interpret process plant schematics More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS205 Operate heat exchangers More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS223 Operate and monitor valve systems More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS314 OPERATE AND TROUBLESHOOT COMPRESSOR SYSTEMS More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS201 Operate fluid flow equipment More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS204 SELECT AND USE UTILITIES AND SERVICES More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS343 TRANSFER BULK FLUIDS IN TO/OUT OF STORAGE FACILITY More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS334 OPERATE AND TROUBLESHOOT GAS ABSORPTION SYSTEM More Information Training.gov Details
PMASUP311 Operate communications hub More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS234 Monitor and operate low pressure compressors More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS240 Store Fluids in Bulk More Information Training.gov Details
MSMWHS201 Conduct hazard analysis More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS216 OPERATE LOCAL CONTROL SYSTEM More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS339 OPERATE AND TROUBLESHOOT WELLS AND GATHERING SYSTEMS More Information Training.gov Details
PMAOPS233 MONITOR WELLS AND GATHERING SYSTEMS More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

For the following units, you may choose your own order of study, while taking into account pre-requisite requirements and the unit availability.
Unit Code Unit Name
MSMWHS200 Work safely
MSMWHS110 Follow emergency response procedures
MSMSUP102 Communicate in the workplace
MSMSUP100 Apply workplace context to own job
MSMENV272 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
MSMSUP390 Use structured problem-solving tools
PMASUP244 Prepare and isolate plant
MSMPER201 Monitor and control work permits
MSMSUP240 Undertake minor maintenance
MSMSUP292 Sample and test materials and product
MSMSUP200 Achieve work outcomes
PMAOPS222 Operate and monitor pumping systems and equipment
PMAOPS246 OPERATE SEPARATION EQUIPMENT
PMAOPS310 OPERATE AND TROUBLESHOOT DISTILLATION SYSTEM
PMAOPS341 Operate and troubleshoot cryogenic processes
PMAOPS331 Operate and troubleshoot turbine systems
MSMSUP210 Process and Record Information
MSMPER200 Work in accordance with an issued permit
MSMOPS200 Operate equipment
PMAOPS221 Operate and monitor prime movers
PMAOPS101 Read dials and indicators
MSMOPS100 Use equipment
MSMSUP303 IDENTIFY EQUIPMENT FAULTS
PMAOPS306 OPERATE AND TROUBLESHOOT A PRODUCTION UNIT
PMAOPS280 Interpret process plant schematics
PMAOPS205 Operate heat exchangers
PMAOPS223 Operate and monitor valve systems
PMAOPS314 OPERATE AND TROUBLESHOOT COMPRESSOR SYSTEMS
PMAOPS201 Operate fluid flow equipment
PMAOPS204 SELECT AND USE UTILITIES AND SERVICES
PMAOPS343 TRANSFER BULK FLUIDS IN TO/OUT OF STORAGE FACILITY
PMAOPS334 OPERATE AND TROUBLESHOOT GAS ABSORPTION SYSTEM
PMASUP311 Operate communications hub
PMAOPS234 Monitor and operate low pressure compressors
PMAOPS240 Store Fluids in Bulk
MSMWHS201 Conduct hazard analysis
PMAOPS216 OPERATE LOCAL CONTROL SYSTEM
PMAOPS339 OPERATE AND TROUBLESHOOT WELLS AND GATHERING SYSTEMS
PMAOPS233 MONITOR WELLS AND GATHERING SYSTEMS

Course Assessment Information

RPL - Students who have previous informal and formal learning need to advise their trainer/assessor prior to enrolment. If the student wishes to apply for an RPL they need to apply to the RPL Centre.
Credit transfer - If credit for relevant formal qualifications is sought, then the process will be actioned after the student has enrolled in at least one unit of competency as directed by the relevant trainer/assessor. The Trainer/Assessor will work with the student on their credit transfer application, and provide advice and support as necessary.
Assessment Types
Third Party Verification
Practical Task
RPL
Written/Electronic Assessment
Course Learning Outcomes
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