Excavator Operator
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$109,500
Full-time annual
People employed
10,600
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Operates heavy excavation plant to excavate, move and load earth, rock and rubble.
Alternative titles
Digger Operator
Skills & main tasks
Official 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
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
14%
Female rate
1%
Median age
43
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+1%
587 projected jobs
to 2035
+4%
2,090 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 4
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing may be required.
Official VET pathways
Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Drilling Operations
Specialised training
Diploma of Drilling Operations
Specialised training
Certificate II in Surface Extraction Operations
Transferable skills
Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations
Transferable skills
Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
Transferable skills
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
397
ACT · May 2026
11
VIC · May 2026
127
NT · May 2026
31
SA · May 2026
115
NSW · May 2026
235
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Excavator Operator.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Logan - Beaudesert
1,320 estimated employed
- 1
Logan - Beaudesert
1,320 employed
QLD
+12.53%
year on year
- 2
Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday
1,316 employed
QLD
+7.78%
year on year
- 3
Wide Bay
1,246 employed
QLD
-2.73%
year on year
- 4
Western Australia - Wheat Belt
1,233 employed
WA
+9.41%
year on year
- 5
Melbourne - South East
1,194 employed
VIC
+0.34%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
7,535
Moved in from another occupation
1,335
Moved to another occupation
770
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
3
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 741234
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate. A missing CSOL flag is not a finding of visa ineligibility; check the current Home Affairs list.