Home / Resources / Units of Competency / Plastics, Rubber and Cablemaking / PMBWELD303E
← Back to units in PMB
PMBWELD303E Current

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to install polyethylene (commonly referred to as PE) plastic non-pressure drainage pipeline components in the field.

This unit applies to an experienced technician working alone or as part of a team.

The unit principally refers to the installation and repair of non-pressure polyethylene drainage pipelines, mechanical and welded joints, and repair of previously installed systems with pipeline connections.

No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must be applied.

What You'll Learn

1. Assess suitability of polyethylene pipe materials for specific non-pressure drainage applications

  • 1.1 Identify materials as grades of polyethylene from national standards, job specifications and worksite instructions
  • 1.2 Determine polyethylene materials properties from national standards and material data sheets
  • 1.3 Identify job needs from worksite instructions and job specifications

2. Identify applications for alternative jointing technologies

  • 2.1 Assess suitability of mechanical jointing systems from their known properties and limitations
  • 2.2 Assess suitability of thermal welding jointing systems from their known properties and limitations of thermal welding jointing systems
  • 2.3 Perform trial jointing for mechanical jointing and thermal fusion methods, and identify, rectify and report on non-conformance
  • 2.4 Assess quality against job specifications

3. Determine requirements for working with polyethylene non-pressure drainage pipeline components

  • 3.1 Identify requirements for handling and transport of polyethylene drainage materials from job specifications and according to relevant standards
  • 3.2 Determine requirements for long-term polyethylene pipe storage from job specifications and according to relevant standards
  • 3.3 Determine requirements for polyethylene pipe installation from job specifications and according to relevant standards

4. Perform service connection and repair of non-pressure polyethylene pipelines

  • 4.1 Determine service connection requirements from job requirements and according to relevant standards
  • 4.2 Identify alternative service connection methods to meet job requirements
  • 4.3 Perform service connection to meet job requirements
  • 4.4 Determine required repairs from job requirements and according to relevant standards
  • 4.5 Identify alternative repair options that meet job requirements
  • 4.6 Repair installation to meet job requirements

5. Assess quality of completed installation

  • 5.1 Identify quality standards and test procedures specific to installation from to job specifications
  • 5.2 Follow test procedures to visually assess quality of completed installation against job specifications and report results
  • 5.3 Accurately maintain records and logbooks

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has completed the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit of competency, and demonstrated the ability to:

install polyethylene plastic pipelines for non-pressure drainage, at least once, to meet job specifications, including the selection and application of mechanical and fusion welding jointing methods.

Knowledge Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:

types of materials and components being used

range of methods for mechanical jointing, fusion welding, special service connections, and pipeline repair work

Australian Standards relevant to the materials being used and products being made, including requirements for:

handling and transport of polyethylene drainage materials

long-term polyethylene pipe storage

polyethylene pipe installation

service connection of non-pressure polyethylene pipelines

repair of non-pressure polyethylene pipelines

production workflow sequences and materials demand

storage, handling, and transport procedures for polyethylene pipeline units

quality requirements and range of suitable tests to establish quality level of work

key variables that may affect quality of work, and how to manage them, including:

alignment

materials and conditions for joint

integrity of joint

typical process and product problems, including early warning signs, possible causes and corrective actions

organisational procedures relevant to the work environment and job role.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions and contingencies.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Foundation Skills

  • text: This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance. Numeracy skills to perform measurements and interpret technical specifications of job. Reading skills to interpret job specifications and workplace procedures. Writing and oral communication skills to record and report on installation of polyethylene plastic pipelines. Other foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Parent Qualifications

Related Units

Generate Compliant Training Materials for PMBWELD303E

RTOFlow automatically creates learner guides, assessment workbooks, marking guides, and trainer resources aligned to this unit of competency — saving you weeks of manual work.

Request Early Access

Last updated from training.gov.au: 22 February 2026