Drillers’ Licences and National Qualifications
ADITC is often asked what the relationship is between drillers’ licensing for waterwell drilling, and national trade qualifications like Certificate II (2) or Certificate III (3) in Drilling Operations.
The answer is that holding a Driller’s Licence forms part of the trade qualification (but not all of it). So does your experience as a waterwell driller and your training (such as a Screens and Gravel Packing Course).
Drillers’ Licensing
Licensing is really a ‘permit to work’ structure. Licences are issued by each state and territory. In getting a licence, applicants will demonstrate that they have the knowledge involved in drilling, and that they have the skills to do it. Getting a licence has two parts.
First: each state requires applicants to meet certain state requirements so the state can make sure that local legislation and conditions are understood by the waterwell drillers working there. Requirements vary from state to state.
Second: All states use the common base of a national examination, so that technical skills are common across the nation to a certain benchmark.
Classes of Drillers’ Licence, and endorsements
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Class 1
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Single non-flowing aquifer
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Class 2
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Multiple non-flowing aquifer
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Class 3
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Artesian (flowing) aquifer / geothermal
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4A
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Cable Tool endorsement
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4B
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Auger endorsement
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4C
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Rotary air endorsement
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4D
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Rotary mud endorsement
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National AQF* (trade) qualifications: Certificates in Drilling Operations
*AQF = Australian Qualifications Framework
A National AQF qualification is a trade qualification. National qualifications are issued by certain bodies which have to be registered to do so. ADITC is the body which is registered to deliver all the qualifications available to the Drilling Industry.
Why would I want a qualification?
Clients are increasingly demanding proof of qualifications, and having proof of qualification as well as a licence may be required to tender for government work or with large clients.
What’s is about?
All Australian industries now follow this structure. It is new to the Drilling Industry, which previously had no trade qualification available. Now there are drillers’ qualifications available at Certificate 2 (Driller’s Assistant), Certificate 3 (Driller – the trade level), Certificate 4 (senior driller), Diploma (Drill Supervisor) and Advanced Diploma (Operations/ Business Manager)
National qualifications are based on meeting a set of competency standards decided by each industry. To be awarded the qualification, people must be competent in a number of common units (standards), at least one drilling method unit, and any sector specific units.
Certificate 3 and 4 in Drilling (Waterwell): Standards required
Looking at the standards required for the qualifications Certificates 3 and 4 in Drilling Operations, you can see how the licence and endorsement/s provide proof. A Drillers’ Licence will cover the parts of the qualification marked **** below to form part of Certificate III (3) in Drilling (Waterwell Sector), or Certificate IV (4) in Drilling Operations.
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All of the Mandatory units of competency from RII31809 Certificate III in Drilling Operations
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Unit code
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Unit title
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BSBCMN311B
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Maintain workplace safety
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RIIBEF301A
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Run on-site operations
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RIICOM201A
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Communicate in the workplace
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RIINHB301A
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Set up and prepare for drilling operations
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RIIRIS301A
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Apply risk management processes
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RIISAM209A
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Carry out operational maintenance
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MSAPMSUP172A
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Identify and minimise environmental hazards
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TAADEL301C
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Provide training through instruction and demonstration of work skills
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PLUS at least one of these specified electives
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RIINHB304A
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Conduct air drilling ****
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RIINHB305A
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Conduct continuous flight auger drilling ****
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RIINHB311A
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Conduct mud rotary drilling ****
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RIINHB313A
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Conduct cable tool drilling ****
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PLUS at least one of these specified elective units
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Unit code
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Unit title
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RIINHB320A
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Construct single aquifer production bores ****
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RIINHB322A
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Construct multiple aquifer production bores ****
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RIINHB411A
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Construct artesian (flowing) aquifer production bores ****
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RIINHB412AA
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Supervise the construction of geothermal wells ****
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PLUS at three of the following general elective units
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General electives
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Unit code
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Unit title
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HLTFA301B
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Apply First Aid
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HLTFA402B
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Apply advanced First Aid
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PMASUP236B
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Operate vehicles in the field
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RIIERR302A
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Respond to local emergencies and incidents
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RIINHB219A
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Assist with air drilling
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RIINHB205A
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Assist continuous flight auger drilling
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RIINHB211A
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Assist mud rotary boring
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RIINHB213A
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Assist cable tool drilling
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RIIQUA201A
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Maintain and monitor site quality standards
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RIIVEH305A
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Operate and maintain a four wheel drive vehicle
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RIISAM205A
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Cut, weld and bend materials
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RIIOHS204A
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Work at heights
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National qualifications are built up from proving the learning and experience you have while you’re working in the industry, wherever it was gained. It can come from formal study courses (like DICAT, or Senior First Aid Courses, Screens and Gravel Packs Courses, dogging or management courses). It can also come from proof of experience (like testimonials from past or current employers, proof of work carried out such as drilling logs, or bore logs). Licences also provide proof (eg driver’s licences, or a Driller’s Licence). This means that all your training and experience count towards the qualification, and that having your Drillers’ Licence gets you well on the way already.
So, the relationship between Drillers’ Licensing and national (trade) qualifications is that having a drillers’ licence completed means that you can easily and immediately prove that you have all the required theory and experience needed for certain standards at Certificate 3 and Certificate 4. You still need to show that you have the practical experience and understanding of the other standards, which you can do by showing evidence of satisfactory work that you have carried out. Once you do that, by providing documentation or being assessed at site by an assessor, you can be granted a national Certificate.
For further information please contact Maree Griffin at ADITC
Phone: 02 9428 3444
Email: admin@aditc.com.au
©ADITC 2010 WIAB2.5
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