OSCA 741232: Backhoe Operator
Operates a backhoe and attachments to excavate, break, drill, level and compact earth, rock and other material. This record sits in Earthmoving Plant Operators. Related ANZSIC industry links are included for faster classification cross-checking. Skill level 4 is attached to this occupation record.
Should you use OSCA or ANZSCO?
OSCA 2024 is the current Australian occupation classification for storing, organising and reporting occupation information. Use this OSCA record for current Australian statistical and analytical classification work.
Some migration and administrative programs still specify ANZSCO 2022. Check the exact system named by the agency or form rather than replacing the code automatically.
Official ANZSCO correspondence
Role overview
Operates a backhoe and attachments to excavate, break, drill, level and compact earth, rock and other material.
Use this page to confirm the official title, the parent unit group, the task list and the related ANZSIC industry context before using the occupation in classification, reporting or migration-adjacent workflows.
Occupation facts
- Skill level
- 4
- Major group
- 7 Machinery Operators and Drivers
- Sub-major group
- 74 Mobile Plant Operators
- Minor group
- 741 Mobile Plant Operators
- Unit group
- 7412 Earthmoving Plant Operators
Tasks
- Operates a backhoe and attachments to excavate and remove earth, rock and other materials
- Breaks through hard surfaces using backhoe attachments
- Uses backhoe attachments to lift and place objects such as pipes, poles and logs
- Loads and unloads materials onto trucks or other vehicles using a backhoe
- Performs routine maintenance and inspections on backhoe and attachments
Skill level guidance
Skill level helps place the occupation inside the ABS hierarchy. Use it as a classification cue, then check the actual task list and occupational context before making a decision for HR, visa or reporting work.
How to use this occupation page
Start with the official OSCA title and task list. Then confirm the parent unit group and compare the related occupations on this page if the job title is broad, overlapping or used differently across employers.
The ANZSIC links are there to help when the same occupation appears across several industries and you need the business-side classification as well.
Related occupations
Industry context
Alternative titles
No alternative titles are currently attached.
Compare before choosing
Compare OSCA 741232 with related occupations
Compare roles in the same OSCA unit group by their official definition, skill level, tasks and recognised alternative titles.
| Comparison point | Current code741232 Backhoe Operator | 741231 Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) | 741233 Bulldozer Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official role definition | Operates a backhoe and attachments to excavate, break, drill, level and compact earth, rock and other material. | Operates a range of earthmoving plant to excavate, level, compact and shape earth and other materials to assist with building roads, rail, water supply, dams, treatment plants and agricultural earthworks. | Operates a bulldozer using blades and other attachments to gouge out, level and move materials in construction, forestry, mining and other projects. |
| Skill level | Skill Level 4 | Skill Level 4 | Skill Level 4 |
| Key tasks |
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| Alternative titles | Not stated |
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Comparison uses occupation definitions, skill levels, tasks and title variants from the ABS OSCA data files.
Compliance risk score
4 of 4 factors passing
In this section
Frequently asked questions
What does OSCA 741232 do?
Backhoe Operator is the current ABS occupation record used to describe a specific occupation. It sits in the OSCA hierarchy and carries skill-level context plus related titles and tasks.
How should I read the skill level?
The skill level tells you the educational or training depth that the ABS associates with the occupation. It is a classification signal, not a salary band or a qualification checklist on its own.
Why is industry context shown on an occupation page?
Industry context helps when the title is common or ambiguous. It shows where the occupation is typically employed so you can compare it with the right ANZSIC family.
Source and trust
- Official source
- ABS OSCA 2024 release and correspondence tables
- Last reviewed
- 2026-04-17
This site is an independent reference resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the ABS, ATO or any Australian Government agency.
Please verify critical classification decisions with the official authority before using them for tax, payroll, licensing, immigration or compliance work.