Excavator Operator
Operate heavy machinery such as backhoes, bulldozers, rollers and graders
Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowJob growth
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5-year projectionSalary
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Typical salaryJob satisfaction
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowSalary
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Typical salaryJob growth
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5-year projectionJob satisfaction
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On this page
- What's it like to be an Excavator Operator?
- How to become an Excavator Operator
- Latest Excavator Operator jobs
- Top skills and experience for Excavator Operators
- Is Excavator Operator the right role for you?
- Excavator Operator role reviews
What's it like to be an Excavator Operator?
Excavator Operators are responsible for operating heavy machinery (including backhoes, bulldozers, rollers and graders) in order to dig, transfer and load soil, rock, debris and rubble from one place to another.
Tasks and duties
- Choosing, fitting and removing attachments including buckets, scoops, blades and rock breaking hammers so as to excavate, move and load earth, rubble, dirt and other materials.
- Safely operating machinery by adjusting manual and hydraulic controls to regulate force, pace and flow.
- Consulting and working with other construction, building and industry professionals in order to successfully complete a job.
How to become an Excavator Operator
While formal qualifications aren’t required to operate an excavator in Australia, registration or licencing is usually preferred in order to work as an Excavator Operator.
- Undertake a course that teaches you how to operate an excavator. This enables you to have a ‘ticket’ or a licence to operate an excavator. A common course is the RIIMPO320E Conduct Civil Construction Excavator Operations. Depending on your background and experience, the duration of the course varies.
- Complete your logbook together with on-the-job training followed by your assessment in order to become a licenced Excavator Operator.
- Excavator Operators who want to further their career can specialise and become hydraulic rockbreaker operators or trench digging machine operators.
Compare your salary
Find out how your salary compares with the average salary for Excavator Operators.Latest Excavator Operator jobs on SEEK
Be one of the first to discover these recently listed jobs, or browse all Excavator Operator jobs on SEEK right now.Did you find this helpful?
Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Excavator Operator employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas. Excavator Operation
Excavator Licence
Construction Induction White Card
Excavation
Trenching
GPs Systems
Civil Construction
Digging
Australian HR Licence
Bulldozing
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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Latest Excavator Operator reviews
Jan 2024
Operating excavators, its rewarding if you're a person with an eye for detail and have pride and respect in your work
Reviewer's QualificationCertificate IV in Supervisory Management
Experience10+ years
Organisation sizeSmall (1-19 employees)
SpecialisationConstruction
The good thingsI love operating diggers because it's creative, you build, sculpture and shape the landscape. I see the digger arm and bucket as an extension of my own arm and the bucket is a hand on the end of that....
The challengesBeing given the wrong sized machine for the job, when the proper machine is actually available
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Nov 2023
Fast paced career but a good paying one if you can gain the skill set required for the job.
Reviewer's QualificationCertificate III in Pipe Laying
Experience1 – 4 years
Organisation sizeI'm self-employed
SpecialisationConstruction
The good thingsThe good things, if you enjoy a challenge they often present themselves, problem
Solving is another thing you will come to enjoy. Often working around enthusiastic co workers to meet deadlines and han...
The challengesThe bad things, it can be a very “cut throat” type industry. At times you will have supervisors or site foreman that are arrogant and hard to deal with. Long hours in a machine although you are not un...
Read more
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SEEK has not verified the truth or accuracy of these comments and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted on this page.SEEK collects and posts the comments for what they are worth and for information purposes only to assist candidates to find employment through www.seek.com.au
