How to become an Excavator Operator

Also called: Digger Operator

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

Main tasks

• Positions, operates, controls, monitors and adjusts heavy excavation plant to excavate, move and load earth, rock and rubble in a safe and efficient manner
• Loads and unloads excavation plant with materials
• Performs pre-start checks and routine maintenance on excavation plant
• May perform manual excavation and shovelling as required

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Drilling Operations (RII40920); Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations (RII40120); Diploma of Drilling Operations (RII50620); Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations (RII30820); Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations (RII30120); 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: $98,800 a year
• About 48,600 people work in this job group now, and about 50,700 are projected by 2035. (+4.3%)
• 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

• Backhoe Operator
• Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
• Bulldozer Operator
• Grader Operator
• Loader Operator
• Tunnel Constructor

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Excavator Operator?

Ways in include: Certificate IV in Drilling Operations; Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations.

How much does an Excavator Operator earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $98,800 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Excavator Operator a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 48,600 to about 50,700 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Excavator Operator?

Usually not. Only 1% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate IV in Drilling Operations; Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations.

Will AI change the work of an Excavator 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