I am an 18 year old Aussie kid and next year I will be starting my heavy diesel fitter (heavy plant mechanic or any other names it has) apprenticeship now I do understand that as a mechanic in Australia you can get a mechanic's ticket which enables you to drive and "test" equipment however cannot be used outside of the workshop environment or mobile shop due to the lovely Australian government I am eligible for a course that consists of bobcat/excavator/backhoe/front-end-loader/roller/traffic control and a white card for only $200 add dump truck for $850 the thing I am wondering is how much does the renewal of an Aussie heavy equip. license cost? as you must renew every 5 years who has these tickets and how long ago did they get them, how hard was the testing and where did you complete it? Cheers Learner
Mate, this has always been a "grey" area. As a fitter, the legislation says that you can operate a machine without a ticket if you are loading or unloading before or after repair or to move in or out of a repair facility. You can also operate a machine for testing purposes before or after repair as long as you don't carry out the actual "work" that the machine is intended for. For example, you can dig dirt with a loader to see if it overheats but you can't load a truck that will then go and dump it's load on a job. I wouldn't like to be the employer though who has to test this when someone is run over or hurt . I was lucky to have a boss many years ago who said he was not comfortable with grey areas and to just make sure everyone has tickets. I believe Austrailia is moving away from the national ticketing system and going to an individual employer competency system which sounds dodgy to me. Ok for the big players like coal but not so sure about the smaller outfits. If you want to work outside of the workshop a white card is a must as you wont get on most jobsites without one.
Thanks mate, I am aware of the dealership/workshop competency but if I was to get a weekend job for an operator I would like yo have these tickets I'm just wondering as to how much renewal of tickets is as to whether it worth carrying 7 machinery license and paying to renew them every 5 years because I can get all 7 licenses for only 1050 which is a good deal as most of the license ls cost more than that on there own
Operators tickets are no longer required at all in Qld as of Jan 1st this year, except for high risk work....forklift-crane etc. I think this now applies across the country.
thanks rusted as far as i am aware they still exist in victoria as the training/license people are still offering courses and the machinery ones are extremely reduced from government funding by not being required any more u mean that worksafe dont care what you do with machinery no matter where it is? i still think that getting these licenses would be some form of an advantage in the workplace
They are still offering courses in qld too but there is no official "licence" as such, the onus is now placed on the owner of the machinery to ensure the operator is safe. Do a search of the relevant govt site..it explains it better than I can. As for still needing a ticket in vic I don't believe that's the case, but do stand to be corrected.
i have been looking for a document on Worksafe's website specifying whether or not I need licenses
from Worksafe Victoria http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/safe...try/how-to-comply/equipment-selection-and-use Equipment Selection And Use Equipment should be checked to ensure that it is suitable for its intended use and that it has been inspected and maintained to the manufacturer’s specifications. When selecting equipment, the best option will always be a purpose-built machine designed for forestry operations, taking into account the ground conditions. Ground conditions Ground conditions can seriously affect the stability of machinery and can greatly increase the risk of injury. When selecting machinery, you need to take into account: the physical terrain, including slope and soil type broken or eroded ground, stumps, holes and rocks operator experience and skill level weather conditions Operator protective structures Improper selection of plant can create significant hazards such as plant instability or operators being crushed due to the lack of sufficient machine rollover protection structures (ROPS) and falling object protection structures (FOPS). Forest machines must be fitted with operator protective structures that eliminate or reduce the risk of injury to the operator from rollover, falling trees or branches, objects such as logs or chain shot entering the cabin space. In order to protect machine operators in the event of machine rollover, seat belts must be fitted and worn at all times. Training, skills, competency and licensing Make sure all workers are properly trained and competent in the use of specific plant on specific terrain, and have the necessary skills to do their job safely. This includes making sure that operators of plant and machinery have been assessed as competent and hold all necessary licenses. The employer should provide the new employee with training on specific plant in the environment in which they are likely to operate—e.g. using plant on steep ground instead of flat, where the operator’s skill level/experience may be limited to working on flat ground. It is also good practice to arrange refresher training as necessary, and independent assessments of competency for existing operators who undertake high risk tasks.
G'day The Learner , Just to backup and clarify on what Rusted has already posted. In Qld at least you are only required to hold a ticket for what has been deemed as HIGH RISK EQUIPMENT - Elevating platforms, Cherry pickers, Forklift trucks, Cranes and Dogman/Doggers. Most other tickets are no longer "Legally" required to be held to operate Dozers, Backhoes, Excavators, Loaders, Rollers etc. Your employer is held responsible to ensure that you have the necessary skills to operate the equipment in a safe manner. Tickets are still looked upon by employers as a good standard of previous learning/skills. You are still required to hold the relevant licence to be able to operate any equipment under your control on a public motorway/carriageway/roadway. This is judged in Qld by the weight of the equipment eg Backhoe(10Tn +/-) requires a HR licence (Heavy Rigid). Hope this helps to muddy the waters. Also as far as I know this system will be Australia wide eventually.
ok so u mean that you only need a ticket if your travelling on the road network thanks for tipping more sand in the puddle digger the more sand we get we could end on some concrete which would be nice thanks again guys Learner
Loadshifting equipment (excavators, skidsteers, graders, dozers etc etc) don't require a "licence" anymore BUT You still need "evidence" to prove that you are competent to operate each type of machinery. You even need a certificate of competency to use rollers and watercarts nowdays. E.G if you had a "licence" under your states old system, that now becomes the evidence you need to prove you can operate that machine. (nationally) If not either a written "reference" from your employer or controller of the plant, stating you are safe and competent for the task/s you are undertaking..... Its are very grey area this one as you need to prove you are competent for each individual task you undertake with that machine (note: if someone writes a refererence for you and it turns pear shape, they aren't liable) So me not having a previous ticket or feel 100% comfortable about only having a piece of paper, which may or may not cover the task/s i am undertaking, i have decided to obtain a "certificate of competency" through a registered training organisation. For an excavator, skid steer and front end loader. Basically i will still be assesed along the same guidlines of the old licensing system, just less questions. If deemed competent at the end of my assesments, i will recieve a national certificate of competency for all 3 machines, to act as proof that i am a competent operater. At the end of the day, alot of contractors require an indepent voc (verification of competency) by an asseser of their choice, before they will allow you to operate on their site these days. People seem to think "you don't need a ticket to operate these machines anymore" which technically you don't, They have how ever shifted the responsibility to the contractors/ employers, to ensure each individual onsite for them is "competent" and has "evidence" of being competent. All the info i have found, is readily availible on the workcover nsw website and talking to operators in the construction industry. Victoria may be different to the rest of australia though.... I heard this whole new system came about, to try and get a "national code of practise" that each state agreed on and apparently victoria pulled out at the last minute.... All the other states agreed though Don't take that last bit as gospel though, traffic controller told me that last bit!! Although i know (from my brother) that the sytem in darwin mirrors the new system in nsw. You are probably best to email worksafe vic for verification I hope i made some sense Cheers, Matt
How come i can't edit my post? I am forever editing posts on forums as i never realise i've left bits out until i click "post"
thanks Aussie dirt that make a bit of sense so I'm just going to get these licenses while the government is paying for the best part of them and then ether way I've got my competency or my license ps if you get to it in time theres a forth option it says edit post | reply | reply with quote | "+ down in the bottom right corner of your posts
Yeh go for it mate, you will regret it if you don't... either way your covered! I wish i hadn't wasted so long to get serious about ditching my current job where i don't get as much seat time as i like, for a fulltime gig or even just more hours behind the controls. I don't have the fourth option, maybe coz i'm new and so i can't edit posts incase i'm spammin
back when i did my time licences and training was all part of the trade and the employer paid the lot, that may be differant if you're employed via a 3rd party training firm like CCI or whoever over here to operate heavy equipment you need a HR license (Heavy Ridgid) which is a road going 3 axle truck >8t GVM, added to this there are machine compentcy certificates for operators and a lesser "move and maintain" version which is less involved pitched for mechanics some minesites will also want to have you "passed out" by a site trainer to ensure you can operate the gear even though you have all the relevant paperwork
i want to to start/finish my apprenticeship get a welding ticket or 2 and go rogue putting machinery back together where its falls with maybe a part time job in the pilots chair digging the odd hole or two but before i start my apprenticeship i have time to obtain the 7 licenses excavator skid steer backhoe front end loader bulldozer roller and dump truck with a white card (Ive already got it) and traffic controller
Don't forget forklift , although your employer may help with that one. There's nothing worse than having to count on someone else to drive a forkllift when you need one.
If your employer is going to come to the party covering some/all the costs, then my advice is to go hard and get as much as you're comfortable with. I have to agree with Spanner - There's nothing worse than having to count on someone else to drive a forkllift when you need one - so chase that one cos i'm yet to see a decent workshop without a forklift. One last pearl of wisdom that my father passed onto me - get as many certificates/licenses that you're able - paper is no great weight to carry and it could mean the difference between a job/promotion and being overlooked.
thanks guys I'm going to get the licenses on my own as the workshop gives out mechanics tickets which is great when I'm in the factory or working for them but not so good if I was to operate a digger The forklift license is covered by the people i will be working for and i will be supervised until i get my license with them
You left out the most important licence of all , Grader. :drinkup Cheers, Greg
greg i wish but 1 it is not included in the combo course im eligible for 2 i have used a cat simulator for there joystick grader and least face it i crashed quite a bit(i do understand that simulators are harder to drive but cheaper when i hit the blade on concrete blocks) it would be fun to learn grader one day though
i want to to start/finish my apprenticeship get a welding ticket or 2 and go rogue putting machinery back together where its falls with maybe a part time job in the pilots chair digging the odd hole or two I like your attitude and I wish you well. Most young fellas in my neck of the woods have other things on their minds.
thanks spanner heres a bit of my background im 4 generation in and around the transport industry i live on a chicken farm and ive seen a bit of the working world so far, i know what its like, im not scared and i enjoy it. ill give most things a go if im given the chance. so far ive done 2 summers in a market garden (SE victoria) 3 years of school holiday work chippy's labourer (dad is a builder) 2 years of grain harvest (a family friend in the wimmerra district of victoria) and 12 months of weekend work in a timber sales yard i like the grain harvest for the peace and quiet and i just plod along at my own pace in an old 711 international combine stripping faber beans it was great till the old girl decided she'd had enough for the day and spat a belt a bearing or just jammed herself up so tight that it would take a day to get cleaned out and fixed up tool kit was varied from a shifter screw driver and a pipe (kept in cabin of combine) to an odds n ends box with a handful of spanners in metric imperial and the old cockies favourite wit-worth (in a small t/b in the paddock bomb) or when he turned up i had the luxury of sockets (in his ute ) it was fun and he was always surprised by me id call him up over uhf (he doesn't own a mobile) and tell him what broke by the time he got to my paddock from where he was doing other jobs (cleaning grain fixing other machines fencing sheep checks , the usual really) id have the combine under a tree, using my paddock bomb as a ladder, id have pulled it to bits with the part that needs replacing in my hand to pick me and it up and go to town for a new one i loved pulling it to bits and putting it back together but it became extremely annoying as no sooner had i fixed it with hope of knocking of the last 30 acres before dark it would break and send me home early there was an advantage to being on the bottom of the food chain my combine wasn't worked nights and if one of boys in the big headers (in wheat or barley) knocked off i got to fill their seat and have a go for a few hours normally till we finished the paddock or it rained (anywhere from 10 pm till 2 am) it was hard it was long it was tiring but i loved every ****ing minute of it. thanks for your info and advise guys