EFNARC Hand Spray
Nozzle Operator Certificate
The EFNARC Hand Spraying Nozzle Operator Certificate is the hand-held equivalent of the robotic nozzle operator certificate, and it is the only Hand Spraying Nozzle Operator Certification available in Australia. It confirms that the operator understands sprayed concrete and can apply it by hand to the standard set out in the EFNARC guidelines, on tunnelling, mining, civil and remediation work. EFNARC runs the only globally recognised certification scheme that covers both Hand Spraying and Robotic Spraying of sprayed concrete.
Certification is delivered by our director and founder, Scott Graham, currently the only EFNARC Examiner in Australia certified for both the Hand Spraying and Robotic schemes, who also holds both Nozzle Operator Certificates. The certificate is valid for five years.
The course has five modules. Every candidate completes the theory session and the theory examination.
From there the course branches on experience:
-
An experienced operator shows their skill on sprayed panels that are cored and tested, so the cores show what was sprayed.
-
A new operator has no such record yet, so the VR simulator records how they handle the nozzle before they build up site experience.
Each candidate is assessed through one of those two, and every candidate finishes with a practical assessment on site.
The Course
The course modules vary depending on the verified experience level of the nozzle operator.
Module 1
Classroom Theory Session
Module 2
Theory
Examination
Module 3
VR Training and Assessment
Module 4
Hand SprayWork Experience
(40 days)
Module 5
Practical
Examination
(Spray Test Panels)
DAY 1
DAY 1
Day 2-3 (new operators)
40 days, verified
After theory, or after the 40 days
All Nozzle Operators
All Nozzle Operators
New Nozzle Operators
All Nozzle Operators
All Nozzle Operators
Module 1
Classroom Theory Session
Delivered by the EFNARC examiner. The syllabus is the sprayed concrete theory that applies to every nozzleman, with the hand spraying method taught in full. Safe hose and nozzle handling, air supply and nozzle distance, layer build-up and thickness control, rebound, working around reinforcement, and the safety controls at the face. Materials, mix design, accelerators, equipment set-up, EFNARC quality requirements and health, safety and environment are covered as they are on the robotic course.
Duration: 1 day. Timing: Day 1
Module 2
Theory Examination
Each candidate is required to complete an individual online theory examination as part of the EFNARC Hand Spray Nozzle Operator Certification process.
The assessment consists of 30 multiple-choice questions randomly generated from EFNARC’s official question database, ensuring consistency and standardisation across all certified operators.
The examination validates the candidate’s understanding of sprayed concrete theory, equipment, safety requirements, and EFNARC compliance principles prior to progressing to practical assessment.
Duration: Half Day Timing: Day 1
Module 3
VR Training and Assessment
The simulator is set up for hand spraying. It records nozzle distance, angle, pattern, layer build-up and rebound for every scenario, and the assessment result comes from that record. All required scenarios must be completed.
New operators must complete this module.
Experienced operators may book simulator time if they want it, and some employers ask for it. For experienced operators with verified work, it is not compulsory for their certificate. They will however be required to spray test panels.
The simulator replicates realistic site conditions, enabling operators to demonstrate correct nozzle handling, spraying technique, layer build-up control, rebound management, and safety awareness in a controlled environment.
All required simulation scenarios must be successfully completed to meet the module requirements. Assessment outcomes are verified and recorded by the simulator system itself, ensuring objective and standardised evaluation.
Participants are allocated up to two (2) days of simulator access to complete the required scenarios, with progression based on competency rather than time.
Duration: 2 Days Timing: Day 2 - 3
Module 4
Verified Hand Spray Work Experience
The certificate requires 40 days of hand spraying, recorded on the EFNARC work experience form and signed by a supervisor, shift boss, project manager or another responsible person who can verify the work. Experience older than five years does not count.
The experience has to be verifiable. The form records the project, the site, the dates, the equipment used and the number of days, with the name, position and contact details of the person signing. CGC contacts the signatory to verify and may inspect the work. We may require photographs of the operator spraying on that site. Experience that cannot be verified and confirmed will not be counted.
Experienced operators submit the form before the course. New operators build up the 40 days after the simulator module, on their own site, and submit the form before the practical assessment.
Duration: 40 days Timing: To be completed before Final Practical Assessment
Module 5
Practical Assessment
Every candidate completes a final practical assessment with the examiner present. What the assessment includes depends on the pathway.
Experienced operators who have submitted verified evidence of 40 days of hand spraying, and who elect not to do the simulator module, will be required to spray test panels during the assessment to verify competency. The panels are cored and tested at a laboratory, and the results form part of the assessment. The spraying can be done on the operator’s own site on an agreed day, as part of normal production, or at a set-up arranged by CGC (extra charges apply). Coring and testing are charged to the candidate or their employer. The candidate can arrange the panels, or CGC can arrange them and charge them back as agreed.
New operators complete the practical assessment on site once their 40 days are verified. No test panels are required on this pathway. The simulator record covers that part of the assessment. The same applies to an experienced operator who completed the simulator module.
Where the candidate has no access to a machine, CGC’s shotcrete pump truck can be set up for hand spraying for the assessment day at an agreed location. Extra charges apply for concrete supply, set-up, clean-up and waste disposal as required.
Candidates who do not yet have 40 days of documented hand spraying experience may still attend the course and complete the theory and simulator modules. They return for Module 5 once the experience has been obtained and verified, either at a CGC assessment day or, by arrangement with the examiner, on an active job site.
Certification is issued only on completion of all modules in accordance with EFNARC requirements.
Duration: Half Day to 1 Day Timing: after the theory examination and, for new operators, after the 40 days.