White Card (general construction induction)
CardIssued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Excavator operator
Operates excavators to dig, move and load earth, rock and rubble.
What you do
You get the machine ready and fit attachments such as buckets. You dig, move, load and spread earth, rock and rubble. You work from drawings, markers and spoken instructions. You also service, clean and refuel the machine and do minor repairs.
SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026
Licences and tickets
New South Wales
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- Earthmoving plant training and VOCCertificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (RTOs) and employers (verification of competency)
Victoria
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- Earthmoving plant training and VOCCertificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (RTOs) and employers (verification of competency)
Queensland
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- Earthmoving plant training and VOCCertificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (RTOs) and employers (verification of competency)
Western Australia
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- Earthmoving plant training and VOCCertificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (RTOs) and employers (verification of competency)
South Australia
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- Earthmoving plant training and VOCCertificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (RTOs) and employers (verification of competency)
Tasmania
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- Earthmoving plant training and VOCCertificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (RTOs) and employers (verification of competency)
Australian Capital Territory
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- Earthmoving plant training and VOCCertificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (RTOs) and employers (verification of competency)
Northern Territory
Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
- White Card (general construction induction)Card
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.
- Earthmoving plant training and VOCCertificate
Issued by Registered training organisations (RTOs) and employers (verification of competency)
Related jobs
Common questions
- What licences or tickets do you need to work as a Excavator operator?
- In every state the law requires: White Card (general construction induction). Pick your state on this page to see who issues each one and how to get it.
- What is the minimum pay for a Excavator operator?
- Minimum casual rate (adult, CW/ECW 1 (level a), residential): $35.10 an hour. Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), from 1 July 2026. Last checked 10 Oct 2026.
- What are median earnings for a Excavator operator?
- Median earnings: $1,900 a week before tax (full-time workers, all experience levels, national; may cover a wider occupation group).