OnShift Education
    Experienced Worker ProgramRII31220 Certificate III in Civil Foundations

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    Civil Construction — Foundations and Underpinning

    An experienced-worker pathway to Certificate III in Civil Foundations (RII31220) for piling, foundations and underpinning crews.

    Formalise the skills you already use on piling, foundations and underpinning crews into a nationally recognised Certificate III — assessed against real workplace practice, not classroom theory alone.

    • Classroom + readiness testing + practical workplace evidence

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    Talk to an adviser: 0493 462 623

    Check your eligibility

    Under 60 seconds. An OnShift adviser will give you honest, factual advice on whether this program suits your experience — before you enrol.

    We use these details to contact you about your training enquiry.

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    By submitting, you agree to be contacted by OnShift about training eligibility. We never share your details.

    Submit the form to get your course fact sheet (PDF) — key facts, every unit code and the official sources.

    Already spoken with us, or ready to go?

    Course fee $11,900, GST exempt.

    Key facts at a glance

    Provider
    OnShift Education — RTO 41304 on the National Register
    Code
    RII31220 Certificate III in Civil Foundations
    Units of competency
    11 core units, plus electives selected from 23 options on the National Register
    Delivery
    Classroom + readiness testing + practical workplace evidence
    On completion
    On successful completion, the nationally recognised Certificate III in Civil Construction (Foundations) (RII31220).

    Core units (11) — all learners complete these

    Unit codeUnit title
    RIICCM201ECarry out measurements and calculations
    RIICCM203ERead and interpret plans and job specifications
    RIICCM205FCarry out manual excavation
    RIICCM207ESpread and compact materials manually
    RIICOM201ECommunicate in the workplace
    RIISAM201EHandle resources and infrastructure materials and safely dispose of nontoxic materials
    RIISAM203EUse hand and power tools
    RIISAM204EOperate small plant and equipment
    RIIWHS201EWork safely and follow WHS policies and procedures
    RIIWMG203EDrain and dewater civil construction sites
    RIIWMG301EControl construction site water tables

    Source: training.gov.au, RII31220 release 2 (checked 2026-09-11).

    Is this just RPL?

    No. It is a proper training and assessment program that recognises the experience you bring. Where genuine prior evidence exists we take it into account under standard RPL/credit transfer rules — we do not advertise easy, instant or automatic RPL.

    Do I need to be currently working in civil construction?

    Yes. Practical workplace evidence is central to assessment, so ongoing access to relevant work is expected.

    How long does it take?

    It depends on your experience, workplace access and how quickly evidence can be gathered. We give you a realistic timeframe during the eligibility conversation.

    Who this is for

    This program is for people already working in civil construction on foundations, piling or underpinning crews who want a nationally recognised qualification that reflects what they actually do on site. You are likely a good fit if you: - have current, hands-on foundations, piling or underpinning experience; - have ongoing access to that work so evidence can be gathered; - are comfortable with classroom sessions and honest readiness testing; - want a qualification that stands up because it was earned properly. You are probably not a good fit if you have never worked in civil construction — the experienced-worker approach relies on you already being on the tools.

    Delivery and assessment pathway

    Entry expectations

    Genuine civil construction experience in foundations, piling or underpinning work is essential. This is an experienced-worker program — it is not designed to teach the trade from scratch.

    Assessment

    Suitability review before substantial fees are taken. Classroom knowledge assessments, readiness testing, and practical evidence assessed on the job. Practical workplace competence must be demonstrated to complete the qualification.

    Workplace evidence

    Ongoing access to civil foundations, piling or underpinning work is needed so evidence can be gathered against the units.

    Certification issued on successful completion

    On successful completion, the nationally recognised Certificate III in Civil Construction (Foundations) (RII31220).

    High-touch support and what makes OnShift different

    How it works

    1. 1

      Eligibility check

      You submit the form. An OnShift adviser reviews your civil foundations experience and gives you an honest read on suitability.

    2. 2

      Readiness and enrolment

      If suitable, we walk you through fees, staging and the classroom + evidence pathway before you enrol.

    3. 3

      Classroom, evidence and completion

      Classroom + readiness testing, then practical workplace evidence with one-to-one trainer-assessor support until competency is demonstrated.

    Frequently asked

    People also ask

    Straight answers to the questions people search for — and ask AI assistants — about demolition licensing, supervisor authorisation and recognition of prior learning. Licensing rules are set by the regulator, not by us, so we always point you back to the source.

    Civil construction competency and site requirements

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for experienced workers

    Cost, timing and what happens after training

    What happens next

    1. You submit the eligibility form above.
    2. An OnShift adviser (real person, not a bot) reviews your background against this program's suitability criteria.
    3. We contact you — usually within one business day — with a plain-English recommendation. If this program doesn't suit you, we say so.
    4. If it does suit you, we walk you through fees, staging, and readiness before any enrolment is confirmed.

    Licensing requirements vary by state and may change. Completing training does not guarantee that a licence or supervisor authorisation will be granted. Applicants may also need to meet experience, qualification, identity and other regulator requirements. Confirm the current requirements that apply to you directly with the relevant state regulator before enrolling.