How to become a Crushing Machine Operator

Operates crushers and other machines to crush materials, ores and minerals for processing or transport.

Main tasks

• Operates and maintains crushing machines and equipment to crush materials such as cement, ore, rock and coal
• Ensures proper feed rate of material for consistent operations
• Adjusts machine settings to achieve desired granularity and consistency of crushed materials
• Monitors the crushing process for any abnormalities and malfunctions, and makes required adjustments
• Dislodges and clears jammed materials or other items from machinery or equipment, and transfers crushed materials between work areas using loaders, excavators or other earthmoving machinery
• Examines crushed materials visually or with hands to ensure conformance to established standards

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Resource Processing (RII30420); Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations (RII30120); Certificate II in Resource Processing (RII20520); Certificate II in Surface Extraction Operations (RII20220)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $104,988 a year
• About 25,500 people work in this job group now, and about 27,200 are projected by 2035. (+6.9%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Chemical Production Machine Operator
• Clay Products Machine Operator
• Concrete Products Machine Operator
• Glass Production Machine Operator
• Photographic Print Processor
• Sterilisation Technician

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Crushing Machine Operator?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Resource Processing; Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations.

How much does a Crushing Machine Operator earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $104,988 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Crushing Machine Operator a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 25,500 to about 27,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Crushing Machine Operator?

Usually not. Only 5% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Resource Processing; Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations.

Will AI change the work of a Crushing Machine Operator?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04