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Certificate II in Process Plant Operations

The PMA20116 Certificate II in Process Plant Operations 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. The operator would apply a breadth and depth of knowledge to a defined range of situations and would be expected to apply this knowledge to solve a defined range of problems by applying known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems. Other non-technical Certificate II qualifications are available for production support employees at this level, such as MSM20116 Certificate II in Process Manufacturing.

Register your interest and we will email you if this qualification opens through a delivering RTO.

Important:RPL it Australia is a student support service. All assessment and qualification issuance is conducted by the delivering Registered Training Organisation. RPL it does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.

Qualification overview
PMA20116
LevelAQF 2Certificate II
Units165 core, 11 elective
PackagePMAChemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining
AvailabilityNot yet available through RPL it. No delivering RTO, fee or timeline is confirmed yet. Registering interest is not an enrolment and does not guarantee future availability.
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Recognition of Prior Learning

What is an RPL qualification?

Recognition of Prior Learning assesses skills you already have against a nationally recognised qualification. Demonstrate competency, and you receive the same nationally recognised qualification, issued by a registered training organisation (RTO), as someone who completed the full course.

Who is eligible for RPL?

  • You have years of experience in your field
  • You learned the work on the job, through mentoring or on your own
  • You need the qualification for licensing, promotion or migration
  • You hold overseas qualifications you want recognised in Australia
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If This Qualification Opens Through an RTO

  1. Register interest

    Tell us you are interested in PMA20116. There is no commitment or obligation.

  2. Availability confirmed

    We contact you when a suitable delivering RTO and current servicing details are confirmed.

  3. Evidence planning

    If you choose to proceed, we help you understand the workplace evidence an RTO may need to review.

  4. RTO assessment

    Formal assessment and any qualification outcome are handled only by the delivering Registered Training Organisation.

Career Outcomes

Explore Roles Associated with this Qualification

If your current or past work looks like one of these roles, this qualification may suit you.

  • 01

    Chemical Process Operator

    Controlling production equipment used in processing minerals or manufacturing chemical products like plastics and water treatment chemicals.

  • 02

    Plant Operator

    Monitoring and maintaining continuous process plant equipment to ensure efficient and safe production of hydrocarbons or refined goods.

  • 03

    Production Support Worker

    Providing technical assistance in process manufacturing sectors by operating local control systems and managing bulk material storage.

Evidence Checklist

What Suitable Evidence Can Support Your Evidence Portfolio?

Your consultant can help you identify relevant workplace records. The delivering RTO decides whether the evidence is sufficient and current.

Work History & Roles
  • A current resume detailing your experience in chemical, hydrocarbon, or mineral processing
  • Position descriptions highlighting your responsibilities as a process operator
  • Employment contracts or letters from supervisors confirming your time in the industry

Technical Plant Operations
  • Logs or shift reports showing your operation of fluid flow, mixing, or separation equipment
  • Evidence of monitoring heat exchangers, chemical reactions, or control systems
  • Photos or videos of you performing routine equipment startup or shutdown procedures

Safety & Emergency Response
  • Records of participation in workplace emergency response drills or fire incidents
  • Signed WHS site inductions and evidence of following safety procedures
  • Hazard analysis reports or incident control documentation you have completed

Quality & Maintenance
  • Records showing you have sampled and tested materials or products for quality
  • Documentation of minor maintenance or plant isolation procedures you have performed
  • Work permits you have operated under, such as confined space or hot work permits

Training & Certifications
  • Current First Aid or CPR certificates
  • Forklift (LF) or other relevant high-risk work licences
  • Internal site-specific training records or inductions for process equipment

Qualfication comparison

RPL and Traditional Study

Two routes to the same qualification, assessed against the same RTO competency standards.

RPL PathwaySupported by RPL it, assessed by the RTO
Traditional StudyDelivered and assessed by the RTO
Starting point
Your existing, current workplace skills and evidence
A planned course of learning and assessment
How competency is shown
Workplace evidence mapped to the qualification requirements
Learning activities, assignments, practical work, and assessment
Assessment decision
Made by a qualified assessor from the delivering RTO
Made by a qualified assessor from the delivering RTO
If gaps are identified
Additional evidence or targeted gap training may be required
Learning and assessment continue through the course structure
Qualification outcome
Issued only when the RTO determines all requirements are met
Issued only when the RTO determines all requirements are met

RPL it Australia reviews

What our clients say

Selected Google reviews. Individual experiences vary. Every applicant is assessed against the same requirements, and some require gap training or additional evidence.

Frequently asked questions

Recognition of Prior Learning, your experience, and your next step.

Got more questions?
Can I apply for this qualification now?

Not yet. The Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management is not currently available through RPL it Australia, and no delivering RTO, fee or timeline is confirmed. Registering interest is not an enrolment and does not guarantee future availability.

What happens after I register my interest?

We keep your details and email you if this qualification opens through a delivering RTO. At that point we explain which RTO would assess you, the fee and the evidence it needs, and you decide whether to go ahead. Registering interest is free and there is no obligation.

Can I start preparing evidence now?

You can start keeping records of your work, such as position descriptions, references and examples of projects you have worked on. The evidence checklist on this page gives examples. The delivering RTO decides what evidence it needs and whether it is sufficient, so what you gather now may not cover everything.

Is there a qualification I can apply for now?

Possibly. The related qualifications on this page are open for applications. You can also start a free skills review and we will tell you whether any qualification that is open now suits your experience.