Field           Engineering and Technology

 

Review of Extractive Industries unit standards

 

Subfield

Domain

ID

Extractive Industries

Extractive Industries Management

7144, 8922, 16687, 17695, 22056, 32864

Surface Extraction

8900, 8904, 8906, 8909, 8915, 8917, 21153, 21632, 22345, 27238, 27239, 27240, 30901

 

Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board has completed the review of the unit standards listed above.  

 

Date new versions published                                                                                                  February 2026

 

Planned review date                                         December 2030

 

Summary

 

The review of the unit standards listed above was long overdue, as this industry has undergone extensive health and safety review, resulting in more stringent regulatory requirements identifying specific unit standards required for compliance.

 

The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) who conducted the review consisted of industry, regulatory bodies and providers with consent to assess. Industry consultation was carried out from October to December 2025. Feedback was received and actioned where relevant.

 

Responsibility for the above standards was transferred from Hanga-Aro-Rau (Manufacturing, Engineering and Logistics) Workforce Development Council to the ISB as a result of the VET reforms.

 

Main changes

 

·       Reviewed unit standards were updated to reflect changes in industry practice and in line with current legislation and guidelines.

·       Standard Setting Body was updated from MITO to Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board.

 

Extractive Industries Management

·         Unit standard 7144 outcomes, performance criteria and range statements were updated to reflect contemporary operational requirements.

·         Unit standard 8922 purpose statement was amended to align with the outcome and performance criteria were rewritten to eliminate duplication and improve logical sequencing.

·         Unit standard 16687 purpose statement, outcomes, performance criteria, and range statements were updated to ensure coverage of hazardous substance types and contexts.

·       Updates for unit standard 17695 are as follows:

o  Purpose statement, guidance information, outcomes and performance criteria were updated to reflect industry good practice.

o  The previous recommendation to hold US 30442 was removed as it has expired.

·       Unit standard 21632 was set to expire as it is no longer required.

·       Unit standard 22056 title was changed to align with the outcome structure.

·       Unit standard 32864 guidance information, outcomes, and performance criteria were updated to reflect the change from AS/NZS ISO 31000-2009 Risk Management - Principles and Guidelines, to ISO 30001:2018 Risk Management -Guidelines.

 

Surface Extraction

·         Unit standard 8900 range statements were updated to reflect current industry language and expectations.

·         Unit standard 8906 performance criterion 2.2 was amended to include application of water for dust suppression.

·         Unit standard 8909 title, outcome structure and performance criteria were changed to improve their alignment.

·         Unit standard 8917 purpose statement, outcome statements were re-ordered, and performance criteria and range statements were updated to reflect contemporary workplace expectations.

·         Updates for unit standard 21153 are as follows:

o  Title and purpose statement were amended for clarity.

o  Purpose statement and outcome statements were revised, and performance criteria were reworded to reflect current workplace terminology, practices, and expectations.

·         Updates for unit standard 22345 are as follows:

o  Recommended information was updated to skill standard 40621 as unit standard 16701 is expiring.

o  Purpose statement, outcomes, and performance criteria were updated to remove duplication and reflect current workplace terminology, practices, and expectations.

·         Unit standard 27238 recommended information was updated to skill standard 40621 as Unit standard 16701 is expiring.

·         Updates for unit standard 27239 are as follows:

o  Recommended information was updated to skill standard 40623 as unit standard 16703 is expiring.

o  Purpose statement, outcomes and performance criteria were updated for alignment and reflection of contemporary operational conditions and current workplace terminology, practices and expectations.

·         Updates for unit standard 27240 are as follows:

o  Recommended information was updated to skill standard 40623 as unit standard 16703 is expiring.

o  Outcomes and performance criteria were re-ordered for logical sequencing.

·        Updates for unit standard 30901 are as follows:

o  Guidance information was expanded to include evidence for assessment for symbols used on a quarry site plan.  

o  Performance criteria range statement 1.4 was updated to reflect current terminology and typical site-plan content.

 

Category D unit standards will expire at the end of December 2027

 

The last date for assessment of superseded versions of Category B unit standards is December 2027

 

Impact on Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR)

 

Category B unit standards and skill standards listed below are now covered in CMR 0014.

 

Detailed list of unit standards – classification, title, level, and credits

 

All changes are in bold.

 

Key to review category

A

Dates changed, but no other changes are made - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number

B

Changes made, but the overall outcome remains the same - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number

C

Major changes that necessitate the registration of a replacement standard with a new ID

D

Standard will expire and not be replaced

 

Engineering and Technology > Extractive Industries > Extractive Industries Management

ID

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

7144

Review plans and recommend changes for ongoing operations at an extractive site

5

15

B

8922

Conduct safety checks before and after equipment use at an extractive site

2

2

B

16687

Demonstrate knowledge of hazardous substances at an extractive site

4

5

B

17695

Attach, lift, move, and place loads using mobile plant

3

10

B

22056

Demonstrate knowledge of theoretical mechanics for extractive industries

Explain theoretical mechanics for extractive industries

5

20

B

32864

Describe and apply hazard identification and risk assessment procedures in an extractives environment under supervision

2

4

B

 

Engineering and Technology > Extractive Industries > Surface Extraction

ID

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

8900

Clean surface extraction fixed and mobile production plant, equipment, and site, and maintain site

2

5

B

8904

Produce product using a mobile crushing plant

4

10

B

8906

Apply water to surfaces and stockpiles at an extractive site

2

2

B

8909

Demonstrate knowledge of the maintenance of working surfaces at a surface extraction site

Describe the maintenance of working surfaces at a surface extraction site

2

2

B

8915

Conduct drilling operations at a surface extractive site

3

20

B

8917

Operate haul trucks safely for surface work at an extractive site

3

6

B

21153

Demonstrate and apply knowledge of dewatering, pump maintenance, and settling ponds at an extractive site

Explain a dewatering management system, pump and settling ponds maintenance at an extractive site

3

5

B

21632

Demonstrate knowledge of and apply techniques for blasting for pipeline perforations

4

10

D

22345

Operate an articulated dump truck safely for surface work at an extractive site

3

8

B

27238

Operate a wheeled loader safely for surface work at an extractive site

3

8

B

27239

Operate an excavator safely for surface work at an extractive site

3

8

B

27240

Operate a mechanical rockbreaker safely for surface work at an extractive site

3

6

B

30901

Read and interpret a quarry site plan

3

3

B