Two separate tickets, 2–3 days each, on real machines at our Mansfield depot. The materials handling and small-crew all-rounder tickets for quarries, civil and utilities work.
Front-end loader and backhoe are the materials handling tickets. A loader shifts volume, which is why you see them on quarries, recycling yards, feedlots and any site with stockpiles to move. A backhoe does two jobs with one machine, digging at one end and loading at the other, which is exactly why small civil, plumbing and utilities crews keep buying them. They are separate units, so you can take one or both.
These two get lumped together but they are bought by quite different employers.
Volume work. Stockpiles, quarries, recycling and waste, bulk material into trucks and hoppers. The skill is in the cycle: how fast and cleanly you can fill, turn, load and return without spilling material or wearing out the machine.
The all-rounder for small crews. Dig a trench, load the spoil, backfill, and move the machine to the next job without a float. Common in plumbing, drainage, utilities and small-scale civil where a dedicated excavator and loader would be overkill.
If you are already ticketed on an excavator, the loader is usually the better addition, because it fills the gap in your skill set rather than overlapping it. If you have nothing yet and want one ticket that makes you useful on a small crew, the backhoe is hard to beat.
Reading the job, checking for underground services and overhead lines, assessing ground conditions, and working out where material is going before you start moving it.
Bucket technique, stockpile management, loading trucks and hoppers evenly, working on grade, and estimating loads so you are not over or under-filling.
Working both ends of the machine, trenching to depth and line, stabiliser setup, spoil placement, backfill and compaction basics, and safe road travel between jobs.
Pre-start and post-operation checks, greasing and operator-level upkeep, fault reporting, safe park-up and isolation, and site housekeeping.
Four stages, and the last one catches people out.
Check the age and ID requirements above, then book online or call us. You will complete a short language, literacy and numeracy check before training so we can put the right support in place.
Structured theory followed by seat time on the machine at our Mansfield depot, or at your own workplace if you can provide the plant. Assessment happens at the end of the course.
On successful completion Great Heavy issues a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for each unit you complete. A plastic industry wallet card can be issued on request.
Your Statement of Attainment proves you have been trained and assessed. Most sites will still run their own verification of competency on their machines and conditions before you start. That is normal and it is not a second course.
This is the point most people get wrong, so it is worth being blunt about it. Civil construction plant units are not high risk work licences. There is no class to apply for, no application to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, and no card with an expiry date on it. What you receive is a Statement of Attainment against a national unit of competency, which is recognised in every state and territory and does not expire.
Forklifts are the exception. If you want to run a counterbalance forklift you need an LF class high risk work licence, which is a different pathway with a WHSQ application at the end of it. That is covered on our forklift licence course page.
Loader or backhoe: two to three days per machine, training and assessment.
At your workplace, on your own machines.
$599 covers training, assessment and issue of your Statement of Attainment for that unit. Course length varies between two and three days depending on how much seat time you have had before. On-site training requires your employer to supply the plant.
I recently passed my driving test, and I truly want to thank my driving school GHDS for all the support throughout the process. Nav was always very helpful in arranging my test bookings and making sure everything was organised smoothly. Jess was incredibly patient in explaining all the details and helping me identify my weaknesses in driving.
Operators often come back for a second or third ticket once they are working. If you already hold one of these units, our skid steer and excavator course is the usual next step.
No. You receive a Statement of Attainment for RIIMPO321F, RIIMPO319E or both. These are civil construction units, not high risk work licences, so there is no WHSQ application and no expiry date. Forklift is the one machine on our list that does require a licence.
Because it depends on you. Someone who has spent time in the seat may be assessment-ready in two days. Someone starting from scratch usually needs the third. You are not charged more for the extra day.
Not to complete the course. If your work will involve travelling on public roads in a backhoe, that is a separate road licensing question and worth checking with your employer.
Yes, at $599 each. Call us and we will line the dates up so you are not making two separate trips.
Steel-capped or safety boots, long sleeves and long pants, plus a hat and sunscreen. Bring photo ID and plenty of water.
A Statement of Attainment against a national unit is what employers ask for. Most will still run a verification of competency on their own machines before you start, which is normal and is not a reflection on your training.
Yes, where you can supply machines and a safe area to work. Get in touch for group pricing.
All practical training and assessment runs at our Mansfield depot, 359 Wecker Road, Mansfield QLD 4122, about 20 minutes from the Brisbane CBD with on-site parking. On-site training at your own workplace is available where you can provide the machinery.
Real machines, real seat time, and a nationally recognised ticket at the end of it.
Mansfield depot · 359 Wecker Road, Mansfield QLD 4122 · Open Mon–Sun 7:00am–5:00pm