INSTRUMENTATION COURSES
INSTRUMENTATION
COURSES
INSTRUMENTATION
COURSES
Introduction to Instrumentation Training
Instrumentation is an important part of many industrial processes. It involves measuring, monitoring and controlling process conditions to help equipment and systems operate safely, reliably and efficiently.
Industrial processes commonly need to measure variables such as pressure, temperature, flow and level. Instruments such as sensors and transmitters measure these variables and send information to a control system, such as a PLC. The control system uses this information to monitor the process and, where required, make adjustments. This may involve controlling equipment such as control valves, motors or variable-speed drives.
In simple terms, instrumentation allows us to measure what is happening in a process, understand that information and take action when required.
Throughout this training, you will be introduced to common instrumentation equipment and systems, including sensors, transmitters, PLCs, PID controllers, control valves and process control systems.
What Does Instrumentation Courses Cover?
An instrumentation course covers the practical and technical skills required to install, configure, test, calibrate, maintain and troubleshoot instrumentation and process-control systems. Depending on the qualification, training can cover measurement instruments, PLCs, process control, instrumentation drawings, industrial networks, fault finding and commissioning. The appropriate course depends on your existing qualifications, experience and career objective.
What Do You Learn in Instrumentation Courses?
Typical training can cover measurement and calibration of pressure, temperature, flow and level; instrumentation drawings; sensors and transmitters; cabling and tubing; PLCs and control systems; PID and process control; final control elements; industrial networks; installation and testing; fault finding; commissioning; and relevant safety and technical requirements. Exact units depend on the qualification and training pathway.
What Types of Instrumentation Courses Are Available?
→ UEE40420 Certificate IV in Electrical Instrumentation
→ UEE31225 Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control Gap Training
→ UEE31225 Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control Full Course
→ UEE31225 Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control Apprenticeship
→ UEE50220 Diploma of Electrical and Instrumentation
→ UEE51020 Diploma of Instrumentation and Control Engineering
Instrumentation training is available through several pathways. The right option depends on whether you are entering the trade, are already a qualified electrician, or are progressing from an existing instrumentation qualification.
Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control
Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control provides a pathway into instrumentation and control work and can cover installation, setup, testing, fault-finding and maintenance of measurement and process-control systems. For qualified electricians, it can be an upskilling pathway into instrumentation work, subject to the qualification’s entry requirements.
Certificate IV in Electrical Instrumentation
Certificate IV in Electrical Instrumentation is particularly relevant to qualified electricians who want to develop instrumentation and process-control skills. Training can include calibration and commissioning of pressure, level, density, flow and temperature transmitters, PLC control and process-control activities.
Instrumentation and Control Apprenticeship
Instrumentation and Control Apprenticeship is a full trade pathway for people entering instrumentation without first becoming a qualified electrician. It combines structured training with workplace experience and practical competency development.
Instrumentation and Control Diploma Pathways
Instrumentation and Control Diploma training can provide further progression after completing relevant instrumentation and electrical training. It may suit people looking to develop broader technical, engineering or supervisory skills. The most appropriate diploma will depend on existing qualifications, industry experience and career goals.
Who Should Study Instrumentation?
Instrumentation training can suit qualified electricians, people entering the trade, and workers in process industries who need industrial measurement, automation or process-control skills.
Electricians
Qualified electricians can pursue instrumentation training to broaden their technical capability and move into instrumentation, process control or electrical and instrumentation roles. Certificate III and Certificate IV pathways may be relevant depending on existing qualifications and the intended outcome.
New Entrants
People entering the field can consider an instrumentation apprenticeship or another approved entry pathway. The correct route depends on qualification requirements and whether the learner already holds an electrical or related trade qualification.
Process Industry Workers
Workers in mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, power generation, and other process environments may benefit from instrumentation and control skills when their roles involve industrial measurement, automation, equipment monitoring, or process control.
How Do You Become an Instrumentation Technician?
There are two broad routes: completing an instrumentation apprenticeship, or, for an existing qualified electrician, undertaking additional instrumentation training.
Apprenticeship
A new entrant can follow an instrumentation apprenticeship that combines formal training with workplace experience and practical assessment. This is the conventional trade pathway for developing instrumentation competency from the beginning.
Electrician → Instrument Technician
A qualified electrician can build on an electrical trade background by completing relevant instrumentation and control training. This is particularly relevant in industrial environments where electrical, instrumentation and process-control systems work together. Specific qualification and entry requirements should be checked before enrolment.
Which Industries Use Instrumentation?
Instrumentation is used wherever industrial processes need measurement, monitoring and control. Common applications include oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, food processing, pharmaceuticals, power generation, water and process plants, refineries, steel and other heavy industries. The exact instrumentation used varies by process and industry.
What Jobs Can You Get With an Instrumentation Qualification?
Depending on qualification, experience and industry, roles can include Instrumentation Technician, Instrument Technician, E&I Technician, Plant Instrument Technician, Process Technician, Process Instrumentation Technician, Maintenance Technician and Instrument Fitter. Work can involve installation, calibration, testing, maintenance, troubleshooting and commissioning.
Can You Study Instrumentation Online?
Some instrumentation theory and learning activities can be delivered online or through self-paced study, but practical competency can require hands-on training and assessment. Hybrid delivery can combine online theory with face-to-face practical training. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be relevant for experienced workers who can provide suitable evidence of competency. Whether a qualification can be completed online depends on its practical and assessment requirements.
How Long Does an Instrumentation Course Take?
Duration varies by qualification, delivery mode, existing skills, work experience and whether the learner is completing a full qualification, gap training or RPL. Short intensive training may be possible for experienced and appropriately qualified electricians, while apprenticeship and full qualification pathways can take substantially longer. Check the specific course duration and practical requirements before enrolling.
How Much Does an Instrumentation Course Cost?
Fees vary according to qualification, provider, delivery method, learner eligibility and whether government funding or other funding arrangements apply. Some pathways may have different fees for qualified electricians, apprentices or other learners. Check the current course fee, eligibility requirements and what is included before enrolling.
Where is instrumentation paid the most in Australia?
Instrumentation technicians can earn some of the highest salaries in Australia in mining, oil and gas, resources and remote industrial operations, particularly in Western Australia and Queensland. Actual pay varies significantly depending on experience, qualifications, roster, location, industry and role.
Is instrumentation in high demand?
Yes. Instrumentation skills are particularly relevant to industries that rely on automated measurement and process control, including mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, utilities, water treatment and process industries. Demand varies by location, industry and level of experience.
Do you need to be an electrician to do instrumentation?
No, not necessarily. Entry requirements depend on the specific instrumentation qualification. Some instrumentation pathways are designed as trade qualifications, while certain Certificate IV qualifications are specifically suited to people who already hold an electrical qualification or licence. Always check the entry requirements of the specific course.
Is instrumentation a lot of maths?
Instrumentation does involve some mathematics, but you generally do not need advanced mathematics for most technician-level roles.
You may use calculations involving measurements, electrical principles, units, process variables, signal scaling and control systems. These calculations are often practical and directly related to the equipment and processes you are working with.
Ausinet has also developed a range of free, custom-made calculators to help with common instrumentation and electrical calculations. Feel free to explore them and use them as a learning aid.