Redefine your career in process manufacturing with this high-level qualification. Develop your existing skills and knowledge to become a qualified plant technician, project coordinator or manager.
PMA50116 Diploma of Process Plant Technology
Full fee | $4,420 |
Redefine your career in process manufacturing with this high-level qualification. Develop your existing skills and knowledge to become a qualified plant technician, project coordinator or manager.
Demand for process plant operators in Australia remains steady with up to 10,000 job openings expected over the next five years. Opportunities continue as companies require workers with the technical skills to operate CSG, LNG and hydrocarbons plant and equipment.
In this course you will develop the ability to analyse product failures, plant performance and equipment. You will also gain the advanced skills and specialist knowledge needed to contribute to product modifications as well as assist in the development of new products. Our industry experienced teachers will provide you with the one-on-one support you need to succeed.
Complete this course to open up a range of possibilities in chemical, hydrocarbons, and refining as a qualified plant technician, project coordinator, or operations manager. You can also take your understanding and skills to the next level with further study in this area.
Get recognition for the skills and knowledge you have already gained working in the process plant industry through TAFE Queensland's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. You can use RPL to have your existing skills taken into account and earn your qualification sooner.
Once you've completed your Diploma of Process Plant Technology you can progress your career even further. With an advanced diploma study option you may receive credit from your diploma to complete your next qualification even sooner.
The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete all core and 6 elective units from the list below.
UNIT CODE | UNIT NAME | |
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MSMENV272Participate in environmentally sustainable work practicesUnit code: MSMENV272 |
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | |
MSMSUP200Achieve work outcomesUnit code: MSMSUP200 |
Achieve work outcomes | |
MSMSUP210Process and record informationUnit code: MSMSUP210 |
Process and record information | |
MSMWHS200Work safelyUnit code: MSMWHS200 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to apply workplace policies and procedures to maintain a safe work environment for self and others. The unit of competency covers identifying work health and safety (WHS) hazards, assessing risk and following safety procedures in the workplace with minimal supervision. |
Work safely |
UNIT CODE | UNIT NAME | |
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MSMOPS400Optimise process/plant areaUnit code: MSMOPS400 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to optimise the process performance of a complete process, plant area or system. It requires optimising a more significant portion of a plant than would be required for one of the PMAOPS3## series. It also requires a more strategic approach to the optimisation than the routine, day-to-day optimisation undertaken as a routine part of plant operation. The optimisation may, or may not involve capital expenditure. |
Optimise process/plant area | |
MSMPER400Coordinate permit processUnit code: MSMPER400 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required for the issuing and auditing of any and all permits across multiple plant areas or an entire site. It covers both the issuing of permits directly and also the coordination of permits issued by others. It focuses on potential conflicts between work being undertaken as well as checking that the permit system is being used correctly. |
Coordinate permit process | |
PMAOMIR430Conduct and assess incident exercisesUnit code: PMAOMIR430 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to conduct and assess incident exercises. |
Conduct and assess incident exercises | |
PMAOMIR444Develop incident containment tacticsUnit code: PMAOMIR444 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to develop tactics to be used in the containment of incidents in on-shore and off-shore facilities. |
Develop incident containment tactics | |
PMAOPS402Respond to abnormal process situationsUnit code: PMAOPS402 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to recognise and resolve abnormal process situations that are complex and/or not solvable by direct observation. The problem would normally impact an entire plant system or process. Examples include damage to/wear of tower trays, internal leaks of heat exchangers and collapse of/channelling in tower/column/vessel packing. |
Respond to abnormal process situations | |
PMAOPS405Operate complex control systemsUnit code: PMAOPS405 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to operate a complex control panel. The panel will control entire plant areas and multiple products/process streams and will use a large number of control loops and a broad range of control algorithms; and will probably include advanced process control (APC) as one of its operations. Its operation will require managing multiple complex tasks. |
Operate complex control systems | |
PMAOPS411Manage plant shutdown and restartUnit code: PMAOPS411 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to manage the shutdown and restart of a complex and integrated plant. It applies to planned, shutdowns and start-ups, but may also be applied to unplanned and emergency shutdowns (ESD). It does not apply to plant trips. |
Manage plant shutdown and restart | |
PMAOPS500Optimise production systemsUnit code: PMAOPS500 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to analyse and optimise complex operating production systems. It applies to discrete projects which aim to resolve identified production problems, such as a need for improved quality, reduced variability, higher yields, less waste or better control. |
Optimise production systems | |
PMAOPS501Provide operational expertise to a project teamUnit code: PMAOPS501 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to provide operational expertise to a project team. It applies to discrete projects for new facility, expansion or other major works. |
Provide operational expertise to a project team | |
PMAOPS505Control the process during abnormal situationsUnit code: PMAOPS505 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to control a process during abnormal or declared incident situations to prevent or avoid an emergency and restore the plant/process to a stable condition. |
Control the process during abnormal situations | |
PMAOPS520Manage utilitiesUnit code: PMAOPS520 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to manage utilities used by a whole site or group of plants in order to improve the efficiency of usage. It applies to utilities, such as: ◾steam (saturated and/or superheated) ◾air (instrument, safety, process and/or mechanical) ◾water (cooling and/or process) ◾fuel (gas and oil) ◾other heating/cooling mediums (oil, 'Dowtherm' and brine) ◾electricity ◾other reticulated utilities. |
Manage utilities | |
PMAOPS521Plan plant shutdownUnit code: PMAOPS521 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to develop a detailed plan for a planned, major shutdown. |
Plan plant shutdown | |
PMAOPS522Coordinate plant shutdownUnit code: PMAOPS522 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to coordinate a planned, major shutdown. |
Coordinate plant shutdown | |
PMASUP445Participate in HAZOP studiesUnit code: PMASUP445 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to participate in hazard and operability studies (HAZOP). |
Participate in HAZOP studies | |
PMASUP520Review procedures to minimise environmental impact of processUnit code: PMASUP520 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to establish and review procedures to minimise the environmental impact of a process and/or plant using a proactive environmental management approach. Proactive environmental management goes beyond complying with environmental requirements and integrates environmental goals with core business objectives. |
Review procedures to minimise environmental impact of process | |
PMASUP540Analyse equipment performanceUnit code: PMASUP540 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to analyse performance of plant, equipment and equipment components and recommend improvements. It applies to all work environments and sectors within the chemical, hydrocarbons and refining industry. |
Analyse equipment performance | |
PMAWHS511Manage emergency incidentsUnit code: PMAWHS511 Unit description: This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to manage and coordinate an emergency response. |
Manage emergency incidents | |
TAEASS401Plan assessment activities and processesUnit code: TAEASS401 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to plan the assessment process, including recognition of prior learning (RPL), in a competency-based assessment system |
Plan assessment activities and processes | |
TAEASS402Assess competenceUnit code: TAEASS402 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement an assessment plan, and gather quality evidence to assess the competence of a candidate using compliant assessment tools. |
Assess competence | |
TAEASS403Participate in assessment validationUnit code: TAEASS403 Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to participate in an assessment validation process. It applies to assessors and workplace supervisors with assessment validation responsibilities participating in, but not necessarily leading, the process. |
Participate in assessment validation |
Note: For some courses, not all electives are available at all campuses.
Studying on campus is a great way to enjoy the benefits of face-to-face education in a way that is far removed from a typical school. No matter which campus you choose, you know that you will be learning in an adult environment where you will be respected and nurtured. Attend a campus to learn face-to-face with a teacher in one of our learning spaces; such as a classroom, workshop, laboratory or simulated environments, or interact with teachers using real-time video or web conference tools. Learn more
Campus | START DATES
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Duration | WORKLOAD
![]() How much time you will need to commit to successfully complete your course, combining face-to-face and self-directed study and any required placements. |
STUDY MODE
![]() Also known as delivery mode, this is how your training is delivered. Learn more |
COST
![]() The cost of your course may vary, depending on your eligibility for funding, subsidies or concessions. See the payment options section for more information. Learn more |
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Eagle Farm | Anytime | up to 6 months | Part time | Recognition of Prior Learning | Full fee: $4,420 |
Courses delivered on campus may have a combination of online and classroom based learning. Students are expected to undertake additional personal study to complete the course requirements.
If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.
Learn more about university pathwaysNo matter what your circumstances, TAFE Queensland has a payment option to suit you. If you are unsure of what's right for you, get in touch. We're here to help.
This may be the full fee for the course, or the student contribution amount if you are eligible for a subsidy or concession.
If you have difficulty paying for the full cost of a course upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.
This course is offered via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) only.
The cost of the RPL will vary depending on the number of units of competency you successfully gain recognition for, the fee structure of the course and any assessment or training required. You will be provided with an approximate cost for your unique situation when you apply.
Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course. You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning. Read more about assessment methods.
Disclaimer
All information was accurate at time of publication, however TAFE policies, tuition fees and course content is subject to change without notice. Course commencement is dependent on sufficient enrolment numbers. Timetable information is subject to change prior to commencement and/or during the duration of your course.
If you're ready to get started, simply hit the Apply Now button on your preferred course information page and get your application underway online.
You can apply to study this course through the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC). You will need to submit your application on the QTAC website. It will be assessed, and if you are successful you will receive an offer directly through QTAC. You will need to accept your offer from QTAC before enrolling with TAFE Queensland.
Fast track your way to a formal qualification by earning credit for the things you already know. Getting recognition for the skills you've gained from the workplace or previous learning means less study time for you, and getting the paper to prove you're qualified a whole lot sooner. We can assess your skills, directly apply credits from previous successful study, and give you advanced standing in your course.
If you have read and understood the student rules, refund policy, understand your fees and payment options, have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) and checked you meet the entry requirements and selection criteria for this course, you're ready to get started.
If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.
Learn more about university pathways