Become a CERTLOC Certified Locator

Have your locating expertise formally recognised through independent certification. Achieving CERTLOC certification demonstrates that you have met defined industry standards and verified your professional competence.

Enrol in the CERTLOC certification program to begin the assessment process and benchmark your skills against recognised criteria.

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What is a Certified Locator?

A Certified Locator is a professional utility locator who has successfully demonstrated their competence through CERTLOC’s independent, industry-based certification program. Certification confirms that the locator has the technical skills, knowledge, and safety awareness to accurately locate and mark underground utilities in accordance with Australian standards and best practice.

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CERTLOC Certified
Locator Benefits

Certification demonstrates your capability, credibility, and commitment to safety — while opening doors to more work opportunities, industry recognition, and access to major infrastructure networks.

Whether you’re becoming certified for the first time or renewing your credentials, CERTLOC certification reinforces your professional standing and dedication to safe, accurate, and compliant locating. The benefits below highlight how certification gives you a competitive edge, strengthens your credibility, and supports your ongoing development in a safer, more professional industry.

Authorised Access to Major Asset Owner Networks

Certified Locators gain authorised access to critical infrastructure networks with major asset owners, including Optus and Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG). When employed by a CERTLOC Certified Locating Organisation (CLO), they can also access the Telstra network, enabling safe and accurate location of underground assets.

Exclusive Telstra Network Access

Certified Locating Organisation (CLO) status provides Certified Locators employed by the CLO with authorised access to Telstra network assets — including pits and manholes — to support safe and accurate cable and plant location.

Safety Leadership

Demonstrates leadership in managing underground utility risk, supporting safe work practices that protect people, property, and critical infrastructure.

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Industry Connection

Connects you with a national community of certified professionals committed to raising industry standards, providing access to industry insights, fostering collaboration and networking opportunities.

Validated Technical Competence

Demonstrates technical skill and knowledge through rigorous assessment, not just experience — providing credibility and building trust in your expertise.

Client Confidence

Demonstrates commitment to accuracy, safety, and professionalism, reinforcing trust with clients and stakeholders and supporting strong, lasting relationships.

National Recognition

Provides formal recognition across Australia, demonstrating that you are a certified utility locator who has met defined industry standards for competence and professionalism.

Professional Credibility

Demonstrates verified competence, integrity, and accountability, reinforcing your status as a trusted industry professional.

Career Development

Supports ongoing professional growth by keeping certified locators aligned with industry standards and best practices, enhancing expertise and career progression.

The Certification Process

Becoming a Certified Locator involves a structured rigorous process designed to verify your technical skills, knowledge, and professionalism against recognised industry standards.

Begin by reading the Candidate Manual to understand the assessment requirements and confirm you have all the necessary equipment. Next, complete the Self-Assessment, which allows you to evaluate your readiness for certification before undertaking the formal assessments.

Assessment Fee: $1,295 + GST per person

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Read Candidate Manual

Before starting the certification process, make sure you read the free online Candidate Manual to understand each stage — including the theory and practical assessments, required equipment, and key locating tips. Once you’ve reviewed the manual, complete the free online Self-Assessment.

Candidate Manual
Complete Self-Assessment

The first step in the process is to complete the Self-Assessment, a free online tool that asks you a series of questions about your expertise and helps you determine if you’re ready to enrol in the Certified Locator Program.

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The Self-Assessment helps you understand the areas you’ll be evaluated on during the Theory and Practical Assessment components of the Certified Locator Program. If there are areas where you’re not yet confident — or if you don’t have all the required equipment — it’s best to wait before enrolling. This will give you time to strengthen your skills, build your knowledge and increase your likelihood of success in the assessments.

After successfully completing the Self-Assessment, you’ll be invited to formally enrol in the Certified Locator Program and pay the assessment fee. The fee covers both the Theory and Practical Assessments. Details of our refund policy can be found in the Terms and Conditions section of the Candidate Manual.

Enrolment must be completed before you can attempt and pass the Theory Assessment or book your Practical Assessment. Once enrolled, you’ll receive an email with your login details to access the online Theory Assessment.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or call 1300 340 017.

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Resources

Required Equipment list

Candidate Manual
Complete the Theory Assessment

After successful enrolment in the Certified Locator Program, you’ll receive an email with your login details to access the online Theory Assessment.
The theory assessment consists of 70 multiple-choice questions about locating, with two attempts to achieve at least 96%.

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Once you receive your email with login details, you can access the Theory Assessment and complete it at a time that suits you.
Please allow at least one hour to complete the assessment.
The theory assessment consists of 70 multiple-choice questions across the following sections:
> 15 questions – Plan and Prepare for Locating
> 35 questions – Locating Techniques
> 20 questions – Telecommunications
You must achieve a minimum score of 96% within two attempts to progress to the next stage. If you are successful, a CERTLOC team member will contact you to schedule your Practical Assessment.
If you don’t achieve the required score within two attempts, you’ll need to re-sit the Theory Assessment. An additional fee of $150 + GST applies.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or call 1300 340 017.

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Resources

To undertake the Theory Assessment, please ensure you have a functional webcam and are not using Microsoft Edge.
Attend the Practical Assessment

Once you’ve successfully passed the Theory Assessment, a CERTLOC team member will contact you to schedule your in-person Practical Assessment. The practical assessment is conducted one-on-one with an industry assessor and will take about 3 hours to complete. You’ll be advised of the assessment location 48 hours before your assessment.

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Before attending your Practical Assessment, please ensure you have all the required equipment listed in the Candidate Manual and the online Required Equipment List. You will be required to confirm that you have read the Candidate Manual and must present with all required equipment at the assessment site.
The Practical Assessment is conducted by an Assessor at a selected field location. Once the location, date, and time have been confirmed, cancellation fees may apply if you do not proceed with the assessment. Details of our cancellation policy can be found in the Terms and Conditions section of the Candidate Manual.
During the assessment, an industry Assessor will evaluate your ability to accurately locate underground assets and apply correct locating procedures in line with accepted standards.
To achieve certification, you must demonstrate full competency across all criteria and achieve a 100% score. Successful candidates are formally recognised as CERTLOC Certified Locators.
If any requirements are not met, you will be deemed Not Yet Competent. You may undertake a reassessment at a later date (additional fee applies).
Not all candidates achieve 100% on their first attempt. CERTLOC works closely with locators to support reassessment with the goal of achieving certification. A minimum one-month waiting period applies between assessments.

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Resources

Required Equipment list
Certification Valid for 2 years

Candidates who successfully meet all competency requirements in the Practical Assessment will receive a Statement of Certification, valid for two years from the date of issue. This certification formally recognises you as a CERTLOC Certified Locator.

Organisations can now apply for CERTLOC Certified Locating Organisation (CLO) status or add their new Certified Locator to their CLO roster.
To help you promote your certified status, CERTLOC provides you with a Certified Locator Partner Kit. Certification can be renewed before expiry by obtaining the required Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to maintain your professional recognition, access to major infrastructure networks and industry currency.

Next Available Practical Assessment

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Launceston / Devonport April 13

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Hobart April 17

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Darwin On Request

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Adelaide May 20

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Sydney / Newcastle / Melbourne On Request

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Related Resources

July, 2025 In the field, News

Technical Tips for Certified Locators – Edition 2

Frequently Asked Questions

To become a Certified Locator, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Read the Candidate Manual
The first step in the process is to read the Candidate Manual before enrolling in the Certified Locator Program, to understand what to expect from the practical assessment and decide if you are ready to enrol. See the online 'Candidate Manual'.

Step 2: Complete the Free Self-Assessment
Complete the free online self-assessment. This assessment asks you a series of questions about your expertise and helps you determine if you're ready to undertake the Certified Locator Program.

Step 3: Enrol in the Certified Locator Program
On successful completion of the self-assessment, you will be asked to formally enrol in the Certified Locator Program and pay the assessment fee. Enrolment into the Program must be completed before you can attempt and pass the theory assessment and book in for your practical assessment.

Step 4: Complete the Theory Assessment
After successful enrolment, you will receive an email with log-in details, that allows you to access the theory assessment. You can log in and attempt the theory assessment when it suits you. Please allow at least 1 hour to complete the theory assessment, which consists of 70 multiple-choice questions about locating. You need to score at least 96% within two attempts to proceed to the next stage.

Step 5: Schedule your Practical Assessment
Once you successfully pass the theory assessment, you will be contacted by a CERTLOC team member to schedule your practical assessment, or you can book a practical assessment by clicking 'Book a Practical Assessment' online.

Step 6: Attend the Practical Assessment
Prior to undertaking the practical assessment, please ensure you have all the required equipment. See the online 'Required Equipment List' which is also in the Candidate Manual. During the practical assessment you must also present with all the required equipment. You will be required to acknowledge that you have read the Candidate Manual at the practical assessment. During the practical field assessment, an Assessor will evaluate your ability to identify underground assets/utilities by performing locating procedures to accepted industry standards.

Step 7: Certification
Upon successfully passing the practical assessment, you will receive your CERTLOC Certified Locator Certificate, officially recognising you as a CERTLOC Certified Locator. To assist you in promoting your Certified Locator status, we will provide you with a CERTLOC Certified Locator Partner Kit.

Plan Enquiry

Before your assessment, you must complete a BYDA enquiry for the assessment location in your name. Ensure all plans are legible by printing them in A3 size or displaying them on a 10-inch tablet (minimum size).

Preparation

The assessment begins with an equipment inspection (you must present with all the equipment on the required equipment list), a Telstra plan reading task, safety briefing, and an explanation of the locating scenario and required marking method. You will also be required to acknowledge that you have read the Candidate Manual.

Locating Process

You have two hours to perform the locating. The assessor needs to see enough of your work to evaluate your competency, including using Direct Connect and Induction Clamp on at least two or three asset types.

Assessor's Role

During the assessment, the assessor will observe your process, take notes and photos, and occasionally ask questions or inspect connection points. They will generally observe you from a distance to give you space to perform your work.

After successfully completing the theory and practical assessments, you will receive your CERTLOC Certified Locator Certificate, officially recognising you as a CERTLOC Certified Locator, usually within 24 hours. To assist you in promoting your Certified Locator status, we will provide you with a CERTLOC Certified Locator Partner Kit.

Next, you will be contacted to discuss access to Telstra pits and manholes through the Certified Locating Organisation (CLO) program. The CLO program ensures compliance with utility network requirements.

Once you are registered in this program, you'll receive a photo ID card issued through your CLO employer.

Please note, only Certified Locators registered with a CLO can access Telstra infrastructure for locating purposes.

Certified Locator Certificates are valid for 2 years. To renew your certification, you must accumulate 50 Continuing Education Units (CEU) within that period.

Become a CERTLOC Certified Locator

What is a Certified Locator?