Excavator Operator

721214 · Heavy

Career data Verified

Heavy equipment operators drive or control heavy equipment to dig and build tunnels, roads and other projects.

Most common salary $66k – $100k

Upper salary up to $122k

Training No specific training

Operates heavy excavation plant to excavate, move and load earth, rock and rubble.

Prepares and positions plant for operation; selects, fits and removes attachments such as buckets, winches, loading scoops, shovel blades and rock breaking hammers; operates controls to excavate, break, drill, level, compact, gouge out, move, load and spread earth, rock, rubble, soil and other materials; monitors operation of plant and adjusts controls to regulate pressure, speed and flow of operation, and ensures safety of other workers; raises, lowers and manipulates attachments using manual and hydraulic controls; works from drawings, markers and verbal instructions; services, lubricates, cleans and refuels plant and performs minor adjustments and repairs.

Works in a vehicle operating cab. Jolting and jarring of driver could be frequent, depending on the nature of the surface being worked on.
Works in all weather conditions.

Medium physical work demand
Sits in vehicle operating cab or similar constantly.
Climbs up steps to enter and to exit vehicle cab.
Uses upper limbs and body to stretch down and across to operate controls.
Squatting, crouching or kneeling movements is required on an occasional basis.
Twists body or neck when reversing vehicles or observing result of work.
Significant contact with water or skin irritants is not required.
Lifting or carrying is required on an occasional basis.
Bending is required on an occasional basis.
Frequent repetitive hand, arm and leg/foot movements and pushing/pulling - required for operation of controls.
Driving is constantly required.
Use of hand tools or equipment is occasionally required for machine maintenance and physical removal of earth (e.g. shovel, or crowbar and heavy hammer).
Mental skills necessary include machine operation, practical and technical skills.

Entry signal Reviewed

Enter via a short course or licence (days to weeks). A licence or registration is legally required.

Entry barrier Short course or licence

Licence / registration Licence/registration required

ANZSCO skill level 4

Next-day ready No

How this was determined (model-generated): Class 1 licence plus Wheels or Tracks endorsement required to operate excavator.

A minimum of a Class 1 (full) Driver’s Licence and a Wheels (W) or Tracks (T) endorsement depending upon the type of the vehicle to be operated (ANZSCO Skill Level 4).
A Class 1 (full) Driver Licence with Wheels (W) endorsement allows operation of plant with wheels of not more than 18,000kg Gross Laden Weight (GLW) when driven on a road at a speed not exceeding 30 km/h (if speed on road to exceed 30 km/h then GLW must not exceed 4,500kg). A Class 2 or 4 (full) Licence with Wheels (W) endorsement is required to exceed these weight or speed limits.
A Class 1 (full) Driver Licence with Tracks (T) endorsement allows operation of plant with self-laying tracks of not more than 18,000kg GLW. A Class 2 (full) Licence with Tracks (T) endorsement is required to operate heavier vehicles.