Australia’s construction industry needs to bring in at least half a million additional workers by 2029 just to keep up with current levels of activity, with most of those needing to be skilled operators and tradespeople. Construction already accounts for 1.22 million filled jobs nationally, and that number is only heading one way.
Getting an excavator ticket is one of the fastest ways into that workforce. This guide covers what certification you need, how to get it, and where it can take your career.
Do you need a licence to operate an excavator?
No, you don’t technically need a licence to operate an excavator in Australia. Unlike some heavy machinery, excavator operation isn’t classified as high-risk work, so there’s no formal licence required. However, what you do need is a ticket, which is the industry term for a Statement of Attainment. This is the document you receive when you complete and pass an accredited excavation operations course through a registered training organisation.
Every employer, labour hire agency, and civil contractor will ask for your ticket before you operate on site. It’s proof that you’ve been trained to operate safely, and without it, you won’t get near a machine.
The industry takes certification seriously due to the risks involved. Construction recorded 45 worker fatalities in 2023, accounting for nearly a quarter of all workplace deaths in Australia. Machinery operators and drivers had the highest fatality rate of any occupation at 8.3 deaths per 100,000 workers, which is why skipping your training isn’t really an option.
How to get your excavator licence: step by step
Everyone learns at their own pace and picks up practical skills differently, but most candidates are able to complete their excavator ticket within a few days. Here’s what the process typically looks like:
Meet the entry requirements: You don’t need any formal prerequisites to enrol. If you’re heading into a construction site, then getting a white card is a good idea as you’ll need it for general access.
Choose your course: The Conduct Excavator Operations (RIIMPO320F) is the standard ticket for civil and construction work. If you want to add skid steer and roller tickets to your profile in one go, our three-course machinery bundle covers all three machines, and makes you much more employable from day one (plus you can complete three tickets in just 3 days which saves time and money). If you’re looking for a job in the mines, then the Conduct Hydraulic Excavator Operations training might be better for you.
Complete the theory component: You’ll cover soil types, safety zones, underground services identification through Before You Dig Australia, and pre-start checks. All of it is practical knowledge you’ll use every time you operate.
Complete the practical training: You’ll get hands-on time learning how to drive an excavator, covering trenching, bench cuts, lifting, and working safely around other people on site before anyone assesses you.
Pass the assessment: Your trainer will assess your practical operating skills on the day. Once you pass, you’ll receive your Statement of Attainment and you’re ready to work.
Experienced operators have an alternative. If you already hold a current ticket but need to prove competency to a new employer or site, a Verification of Competency (VOC) assessment covers that without having to repeat the full course.
Civil Safety excavator training pathways
Infrastructure Australia projects a shortfall of more than 300,000 workers on public infrastructure projects by mid-2027, with trades and operator roles facing the steepest shortages. If you’re trying to capitalise on this, operators with multiple machine tickets get placed faster. These are the excavator training pathways available at Civil Safety:
Three Course Machinery Bundle: The most employable option for candidates entering civil construction. You’ll complete excavator, skid steer and roller operations in one programme, earning three tickets that civil contractors and labour hire agencies actively look for. This is the fastest way to make yourself deployable across multiple tasks from day one.
Conduct Civil Construction Excavator Operations: The standalone excavator ticket for candidates focused on civil and construction work. Pairs well with a white card for immediate site access.
Conduct Hydraulic Excavator Operations: Designed for operators targeting mining applications where hydraulic excavators are the standard machine on site.
Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations: A full nationally recognised qualification for candidates who want more than individual tickets and are building toward a long-term career in civil construction plant operations.
Complete three machinery tickets in just 3 days
Want to get qualified across multiple machines without the time and cost of completing separate courses? Our combined Civil Construction Machinery course lets you gain competency in three essential machines through one streamlined, 3 day program. Designed to fast-track your skills and maximise value, this course saves you time and reduces training costs while still delivering practical, hands-on experience to help you operate safely and confidently on site. Ideal for both new entrants and experienced workers looking to upskill efficiently, the training covers everything from pre-operational checks and hazard identification through to safe, compliant machine operation. On completion, you’ll hold three key competencies - RIIMPO317F Roller Operations, RIIMPO320F Excavator Operations, and RIIMPO318F Skid Steer Loader Operations - giving you a versatile, job-ready skill set valued across the civil construction industry.
Excavator operator careers and salary
Construction and mining have recorded the highest workforce shortage levels of any Australian industry between 2021 and 2025, and nearly half of all trades and operator roles remain in shortage today. In QLD and WA alone, 96 major resources and energy projects are expected to create more than 13,000 new operational roles by 2030, and excavator operators are needed throughout.
Here’s what you can expect to earn at each level: (Marco can you include a source when providing stats please)
Experience level | Example roles | Salary range |
Entry level | Civil labourer, residential earthworks, landscaping contractor | $95,000 to $115,000 |
Mid-level | Roads and infrastructure, government civil projects | $115,000 to $135,000 |
Experienced | Open cut mining, hydraulic excavator operator, FIFO civil works | $135,000 to $155,000+ |
Get your excavator licence with Civil Safety
We run the Conduct Civil Construction Excavator Operations course and the 3 Course Machinery Bundle at our Queensland and Western Australia training centres, with flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends. Contact Civil Safety today to book your course.
Frequently asked questions
No, operating an excavator doesn’t require a high-risk work licence in Australia. All you need is a Statement of Attainment from an accredited excavator operations course, which most employers and contractors refer to as a ticket.
Most candidates complete their excavator course within a few days. The course covers both theory and practical operations, and your Statement of Attainment is issued on the same day you pass your assessment.
A standard civil construction excavator ticket covers general civil and construction work. If you’re heading into mining, then you’ll need the Conduct Hydraulic Excavator Operations course, which covers the additional competencies you’ll need in a mining site.