PMB20121 is the nationally recognised Certificate II behind plastics and rubber production machine operators work. It has been the current version on the national register since 2021, when it replaced PMB20116. About 44 plastics and rubber production machine operators jobs were advertised in June 2026, down 18% on a year earlier.
Often searched as Cert 2 in Polymer Processing · Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au
Online job ads · June 2026
44last month
Plastics and rubber production machine operators roles advertised across Australia
Down on a year earlier
Long-term outlook
Positive
Two structural signals up; current job ads down
Register status
Current
Replaced PMB20116 in 2021
Enrolments
Rising fast
Up 300% in a year
Funding status
Verification pending
Checked against official state program lists
The short answer
The long-term signals behind the Certificate II in Polymer Processing are positive, though current job advertising is below a year earlier. Plastics and rubber production machine operatorses are in national shortage and enrolments are rising. Job ads in June 2026 were down 18% on a year earlier. These are official statistics, not a promise about your result.
Jobs and Skills Australia
Is the work there?
Employers are posting fewer plastics and rubber production machine operators jobs than a year ago. About 44 plastics and rubber production machine operators jobs were advertised online in June 2026, down 18% on a year earlier. Over the last 12 months there were about 700 job ads, while 20 people were training in the qualification nationally (2025). Ads show the market. Enrolments show the pipeline. Neither is a job promise.
Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index · latest month June 2026 · ANZSCO 7115
Combined monthly online job ads across Plastics And Rubber Production MacHine Operators, to June 2026
Official shortage list
Australia's official shortage list rates reinforced plastic and composite production workers as in shortage. The 2025 Occupation Shortage List rates Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker as in national shortage; Plastic Cablemaking Machine Operator, Plastic Compounding and Reclamation Machine Operator, Plastics Fabricator or Welder, Plastics Production Machine Operator (General), Rubber Production Machine Operator and Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators nec as not in shortage.
Jobs and Skills Australia, Occupation Shortage List · 2025 assessment
Ten year outlook
Plastics and rubber production machine operators jobs are projected to stay about flat. Jobs and Skills Australia projections put these occupations at 7,304 workers in May 2025, 7,379 by May 2030 (up 1%) and 7,677 by May 2035 (up 5.1%).
7,304
workers, May 2025
7,379
workers, May 2030
7,677
workers, May 2035
Jobs and Skills Australia employment projections · May 2025 to May 2035
Occupation mapping by Get Course, shown with ANZSCO codes so it can be checked.
NCVER Total VET Activity
Who is training
More people are choosing the Certificate II in Polymer Processing every year. Across Australia, 5 people enrolled in 2024. In 2025 it was 20, up 300% in a year. National data for PMB20121 starts in 2024.
2019
not yet introduced
2020
not yet introduced
2021
not yet introduced
2022
not yet introduced
2023
not yet introduced
5
2024
20
2025
NCVER Total VET Activity · 2025 collection
training.gov.au · Australian Qualifications Framework
What does studying it involve?
The register and the national framework set some of this. Providers set the rest.
How long it takes
A Certificate II is typically 0.5 to 1 year of full-time study under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Providers set the exact length and pace.
Delivery
Providers set the delivery mode.
Credit for experience
Recognition of prior learning applies to PMB20121 like any qualification on the national register: an approved provider assesses your evidence against each unit.
training.gov.au national register; Australian Qualifications Framework.
State subsidised training lists
What does it cost, and who funds it?
State funding for PMB20121 is being verified against official program lists.
Eligibility and student contributions vary by program and provider. The official state listing is the source of truth. In a subsidised place the government pays most of the tuition and you pay a co-contribution set by the program and provider.
Official state subsidised training program lists, verified per state. Full-fee prices will appear here as partner courses are listed.
training.gov.au · unit packaging
What is in the qualification
The Certificate II in Polymer Processing is 14 units: 2 core, plus 12 electives chosen from 93 options on the register. Prerequisites apply to Seven of them, marked below.
PMBPROD280EOperate a chopper gun to lay-up composites
PMBPROD281EFinish composite products
PMBPROD282EReassemble production mould components
PMBPROD283EDemould polymer products
PMBPROD287EWeld thermoplastics materials
PMBPROD293ECreate composite laminates using vacuum-assisted closed-moulding processes
RIIRIS201DConduct local risk control
TLID2010Operate a forklift
training.gov.au national register, PMB20121 release 2
Where to study
Where can I study PMB20121?
No Get Course partner currently lists this qualification. Check the national register for organisations approved to deliver it, and remember that approval to deliver is a regulatory fact, not a recommendation. You can browse live courses from our partners and enquire today.
Get Course maps PMB20121 to its occupations using the register’s own outcome wording, shown with ANZSCO codes (here, 7115) so the mapping can be checked. Job advertisement counts come from the Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index and count online ads, not vacancies filled. Enrolment counts come from NCVER Total VET Activity and count people in training, not completions. Funding rows appear only after verification against the official state program list. Source vintages: Occupation Shortage List 2025 assessment; Jobs and Skills Australia Internet Vacancy Index latest month June 2026; NCVER Total VET Activity 2025 collection; employment projections May 2025 to May 2035 release; register training.gov.au, synced 6 September 2026; register synced 18 Sept 2026. Page last updated 19 Sept 2026.
About this page. Every number on this page shows its source and date. Register data synced 18 Sept 2026 from training.gov.au. Compiled by Get Course from public data sources. It is not provided or endorsed by any training organisation, and nothing here is advice about your individual situation. Statistics describe groups; your result depends on you. If you represent a training organisation and want to correct or add to this page, contact hello@getcourse.com.au.