Nationally Recognised RPL Pathway
Certificate III in Engineering - Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic
MEM31419
Your extensive experience maintaining heavy machinery and diesel engines deserves professional recognition. We help you convert years of plant mechanic expertise into a nationally recognised trade qualification. Get started today with a free skills review to map your practical skills against the national standard.
About This Qualification
This qualification defines the skills and knowledge required of an engineering tradesperson - mechanical specialising in diesel fitting and plant mechanics within metal, engineering, manufacturing and associated industries. The qualification has been specifically developed for apprentices in the above trade. This qualification must be undertaken through a Training Contract or through formal trade recognition assessment processes. The skills associated with this qualification are intended to apply to a wide range of trade work including manufacturing, assembly and commissioning of mobile and stationary plant, servicing, diagnosis and rectification of faults, condition monitoring, and preventative maintenance. This qualification is designed to provide an industry recognised skills profile related to trade work as a fixed and/or mobile plant mechanic. Assessment of some units of competency must, where indicated, include evidence of the candidate’s performance in a functioning workplace where there is a sufficient range of appropriate tasks and materials to cover the scope of application of those units. All outcomes must reflect the standard of performance inherent in the job. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication. However, in some jurisdictions units in this qualification may require a license or relate to regulatory requirements. Licensing and regulatory information is included in the relevant units of competence.
Qualification Code
MEM31419
Training Package
MEM — Manufacturing and Engineering
AQF Level
Certificate III
Total Units
96 (63 core + 33 elective)
Entry Requirements
No
National Register
View on training.gov.au →RPL It Status: Available
Important: RPL It Australia is a student support service. All assessment and qualification issuance is conducted by our partner Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). RPL It does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.
Career Outcomes
According to training.gov.au, this qualification supports the following roles:
| Role | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Plant Mechanic | Diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining heavy mobile and stationary machinery across mining, construction, and manufacturing sectors. |
| Diesel Fitter | Specialising in the service, overhaul, and fault-finding of high-capacity diesel engines and associated fuel systems. |
| Mobile Plant Technician | Providing field-based maintenance and emergency repairs for earthmoving, agricultural, and industrial mobile equipment. |
Delivering Registered Training Organisations
All assessment and qualification issuance for this qualification is carried out by one of the following partner RTOs, each of which holds MEM31419 on their scope of registration with ASQA:
Which RTO will deliver my qualification? The delivering RTO will be confirmed during your skills review and prior to enrolment. Your qualification will be issued directly by the delivering RTO and is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Fees
Final pricing will be confirmed before enrolment.
You will receive a detailed, personalised quote — including the total fee, payment terms, interest-free payment plan options, and the name of the delivering RTO — before you are asked to enrol or make any payment.
Refund policy:If RPL It is unable to process your application, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid to RPL It. Once your portfolio has been submitted to the RTO for assessment, the RTO's refund policy applies. Details will be provided before enrolment.
Indicative Timeframes
✓ What we control
- • Guiding you through evidence gathering
- • Submitting a complete portfolio to the RTO
- • Following up on your behalf
⏳ What we don't control
- • The RTO's assessment workload
- • The assessor's evaluation timeline
- • The qualification issuance process
Based on our experience, the majority of RPL candidates receive their qualification within 4–6 weeks of their complete evidence portfolio being submitted to the RTO. Individual timeframes vary based on qualification complexity, evidence completeness, and RTO capacity.
Roles & Responsibilities
| RPL It Australia | Delivering RTO | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Student support service | Registered Training Organisation |
| Initial skills review | ✅ | |
| Evidence gathering guidance | ✅ | |
| Formal assessment | ✅ Qualified assessors | |
| Assessment judgement | ✅ Made by the RTO | |
| Gap training | Available if required (delivered by RTO) | |
| Qualification issuance | ✅ Issued by the RTO | |
| Complaints & appeals | Own complaints process | ✅ RTO process applies to assessments |
RPL It Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 55 689 826 917) is not an RTO and does not deliver training, conduct assessments, or issue qualifications.
Ready to get recognised?
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Could RPL Be Right for You?
Experience can be evidence.
RPL is the process that helps you demonstrate it.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a formal assessment process that evaluates the skills, knowledge, and experience you've gained through your career to determine whether you meet the requirements of a nationally recognised qualification. It isn't a shortcut — it applies the same assessment standards as any other pathway.
RPL typically involves:
A review of your work experience against the qualification requirements
Compilation of an evidence portfolio demonstrating your competency
Assessment by a qualified assessor from a Registered Training Organisation
If gaps are identified, targeted training to build on your existing expertise
ℹ️ Important Pathway Advice
RPL isn't the right pathway for everyone. If you don't have substantial, relevant, and current industry experience, a traditional study pathway may serve you better.
Our approach:
“We'd rather guide you to the right pathway than enrol you in the wrong one.”
What Kind of Experience Counts?
If RPL becomes available for this qualification, the types of experience and evidence that would typically be relevant include:
Work History & Roles
- ✓A comprehensive resume or CV detailing your engineering trade experience
- ✓Position descriptions from current or previous employers in the plant mechanic sector
- ✓Letters of service or employment references confirming your technical roles
Technical Documentation
- ✓Service reports and maintenance logs for mobile or stationary plant
- ✓Diagnostic checklists for hydraulic, electronic, or diesel engine systems
- ✓Completed job cards or work orders detailing specific repairs and fault-finding
Safety & Compliance
- ✓JSA/SWMS records for heavy plant repairs and high-risk maintenance tasks
- ✓Site induction records and hot work permits for engineering environments
- ✓Records of safe manual handling and workshop safety participation
Photos & Videos
- ✓Images of engine rebuilds or component replacements in progress
- ✓Videos demonstrating fault-finding or diagnostics on mobile plant equipment
- ✓Photos of correctly assembled engineering components and work areas
Technical Planning
- ✓Interpreted technical drawings or schematics used for repairs
- ✓Work plans for complex assembly or commissioning tasks
- ✓Records of engineering measurements and computations performed on the job
This is general guidance based on training.gov.au. Specific requirements will be confirmed by the delivering RTO's assessor when RPL becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about this qualification and RPL.
How do I get started with RPL for this qualification?▾
Is an RPL qualification the same as one from full-time study?▾
How long does the process typically take?▾
What kind of evidence will I need to provide?▾
Does this qualification cover diesel fitting and engine repairs?▾
Can I use this qualification for trade recognition in the mining industry?▾
Is an RPL qualification the same as one obtained through full-time study?▾
Who assesses my evidence?▾
What if gaps are identified in my skills?▾
What if I don’t have enough experience for RPL?▾
How long does the RPL process take?▾
Can I do this from outside Australia?▾
Related Qualifications
Other qualifications in the Manufacturing and Engineering.
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