High-risk work licences
Access Canberra administers the provision of high-risk work licensing on behalf of the WorkSafe ACT Commissioner.
A high-risk work licence is required for working in a variety of hazardous environments and for operation of certain types of heavy or hazardous equipment.
The high-risk work licensing system provides for 29 classes of high-risk work, divided into 6 types of licences:
- scaffolding work
- dogging and rigging work
- crane and hoist operation
- reach stackers
- forklift operation
- pressure equipment operation.
When you need a high-risk work licence
Anyone who intends to carry out a class of high-risk work must hold a high-risk work licence.
You don’t need a high-risk work licence if you:
- are training to be licensed to carry out high-risk work and are being supervised by a person who holds a high risk work licence
- have applied to Access Canberra for a high-risk work licence and are waiting for a decision on the application
- carry out work with a heritage boiler
- carry out high-risk work involving plant solely for the purpose of manufacture, testing, trialling, installation, commissioning, maintenance, servicing, repair, alteration, demolition or disposal of the plant at the workplace and the plant is operated without a load (except when calibrating the plant).
Training for a high-risk work licence
If you complete training in high-risk work it must be:
- an accredited course or unit of competency
- completed through an authorised training provider.
Authorised training providers
Authorised training providers are organisations that are:
- registered with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
- authorised to deliver the specific course or courses required for the licence in the ACT.
You can find a list of registered training organisations at training.gov.au.
When you apply for your licence, you will need to provide evidence that you have completed the required training.
You can provide a copy of the statement of attainment you received from the registered training organisation. The statement of attainment must include:
- the name of the course
- the date the course was completed or the statement of attainment was issued (the date must fall within 60 days of your application)
- a signature from the registered training organisation.
Check if a high-risk licence is valid
You can check the validity of a high-risk work licence through the WorkSafe ACT Public Register.
If you reside outside of the ACT
To apply for an ACT high-risk work licence, applicants must provide a statement outlining their reason for applying for an ACT licence.
Access Canberra will assess the application and determine whether an ACT high risk work licence can be issued.
Examples of when Access Canberra may approve a high-risk work licence to an individual who lives interstate, include:
- how close the individual's residence is to the ACT
- whether the individual undertakes most of their high-risk work in the ACT.
Apply for a new, updated or interstate transfer of high-risk work licence
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a new, updated or interstate transfer of a high-risk work licence, you must be:
- a resident of the ACT or satisfy the Regulator that your circumstances justify the issue of an ACT licence
- at least 18 years of age.
How to apply
Complete the Application for high risk work licence (new, add class or transfer from interstate) form [PDF 199KB].
Applications must be lodged in person at one of the below service centres:
Applications will not be accepted at other Access Canberra Service Centres.
As part of your application, you'll need to have your photo taken at an Access Canberra Service Centre. Learn what to expect when having your photo taken at a service centre.
Once your transaction is completed, your card will be posted to your nominated postal address within 21 days.
For more information, please contact an Access Canberra Centre by phone or send an email to cwpl@act.gov.au.
Interstate high-risk work licences
If you hold a current high-risk work licence issued by another Australian state or territory, you can continue to perform high-risk work in the ACT under that licence.
You do not need to apply to renew your licence in the ACT until your interstate licence is due for renewal.
When your interstate high-risk work licence is due for renewal, you may apply to Access Canberra to renew it, provided it has not already been renewed by the Regulator that originally issued the licence.
If your interstate high-risk work licence has expired, you may still apply for renewal within 12 months of the licence expiry date.
If your interstate high-risk work licence is subject to conditions, Access Canberra will review those conditions as part of assessing your application.
If your high-risk work licence was cancelled, refused or you were disqualified from holding a high-risk work licence in another state or territory you won't be granted an ACT high-risk work licence.
Apply to renew or replace a high-risk work licence
You can renew and replace your high-risk work licence online. You don't need to visit an Access Canberra Service Centre.
You may renew your licence at any time within the 6 months before it expires.
If for any reason you wish to renew before this time please contact Access Canberra or email at cwpl@act.gov.au.
Eligibility
In order to apply you must be:
- a resident of the ACT or satisfy the Regulator that your circumstances justify the issue of an ACT licence
- at least 18 years of age.
How to apply
Use our online form to renew or replace your licence.
You'll need to provide:
- your date of birth
- your existing licence number
- a credit or debit card to pay the fee.
Before you apply, you'll need to make sure your address or contact details are up to date, or update them if needed.
Make sure you keep a copy of your interim licence while you're waiting to receive your new licence.
Once your licence has been renewed it will be valid for another 5 years.
If you need help completing the online form, call 13 22 81.
It can take 3 business days for payments to reach Access Canberra.
You will receive your licence by post within 21 business days.
If you haven't received your licence within 21 business days, please phone 02 6207 8096.
Renewing an expired high-risk work licence
You can renew your licence within 12 months of its expiry date.
If your licence expired more than 12 months ago, please contact Access Canberra or send an email to cwpl@act.gov.au.
Proof of ID for high-risk work licences
When you apply, you must provide proof of identity (ID).
You will need to provide the original versions of at least 3 identity documents. At least one document must be from the primary proof of identity category.
Find out more on the acceptable ID for occupational licences page.
If you’re unable to meet the proof of identity requirements, please contact Access Canberra for assistance.
Refused applications
If Access Canberra refuses your application, you will receive a written notice explaining:
- the reason or reasons for the refusal
- that you have 28 days from the date of the notice to make a submission about the proposed refusal
- how to provide additional information and explain why you believe your application should be approved and a licence granted.
Fees
Fees are determined by the Work Health and Safety (Fees) Determination for the relevant financial year.
See the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Regulations and Instruments.
Types of high-risk work licences
Scaffolding work
The licence classes for scaffolding work are:
Basic scaffolding (SB)
Allows the holder to carry out scaffolding work including scaffolding work associated with the operation or use of one or more of the following:
- a modular or prefabricated scaffold
- a cantilevered materials hoist with a maximum working load limit of up to 500kg
- ropes
- gin wheels
- safety nets or static lines
- a bracket scaffold (tank and formwork).
Doesn’t allow the holder to carry out scaffolding work associated with the operation or use of the following:
- a cantilevered crane-loading platform
- a cantilevered scaffold
- a spurred scaffold
- a barrow ramp or sloping platform
- perimeter safety screens or shutters
- a mast-climber
- a tube and coupler scaffold (including tube and coupler covered ways and gantries)
- a hung scaffold, including a scaffold hanging from tubes, wire ropes or chains
- a suspended scaffold
- cantilevered hoists.
Intermediate scaffolding (SI)
Allows the holder to carry out all basic scaffolding work including scaffolding work associated with the operation or use of one or more of the following:
- a cantilevered crane-loading platform
- a cantilevered scaffold
- a spurred scaffold
- a barrow ramp or sloping platform
- perimeter safety screens or shutters
- a tube and coupler scaffold (including tube and coupler covered ways and gantries).
Doesn’t allow the holder to carry out scaffolding work associated with the operation or use of the following:
- a hung scaffold, including a scaffold hanging from tubes, wire ropes or chains
- a suspended scaffold
- cantilevered hoists.
Advanced scaffolding (SA)
Allows the holder to carry out all basic and intermediate scaffolding work including scaffolding work associated with the operation or use of one or more of the following:
- a hung scaffold, including a scaffold hanging from tubes, wire ropes or chains
- a suspended scaffold
- cantilevered hoists
Dogging and rigging work
The licence classes for dogging and rigging work are:
Dogging (DG)
Allows the holder to carry out dogging work which is:
- the application of slinging techniques to move a load (including the selection and inspection of lifting gear), and/or,
- the directing of a crane/hoist operator in the movement of a load when the load is out of the view of the crane/hoist operator.
Basic rigging (RB)
Allows the holder to carry out dogging work and rigging work associated with one or more of the following:
- structural steel erection
- hoists
- pre-cast concrete members of a structure
- safety nets and static lines
- mast climbing work platforms
- perimeter safety screens and shutters
- cantilevered crane loading platforms.
Doesn’t allow the holder to carry out rigging work associated with the following:
- hoists with jibs and self-climbing hoists
- cranes, conveyors, dredges and excavators
- tilt slabs
- demolition of structures or plant
- dual lifts
- gin poles and shear legs
- flying foxes and cable ways
- guyed derricks and structures
- suspended scaffolds and fabricated hung scaffolds.
Intermediate rigging (RI)
Allows the holder to carry out dogging work and all basic rigging work including rigging work associated with one or more of the following:
- rigging work in the class basic rigging
- hoists with jibs and self-climbing hoists
- cranes, conveyors, dredges and excavators
- tilt slabs
- demolition of structures or plant
- dual lifts.
Doesn’t allow the holder to carry out rigging work associated with the following:
- gin poles and shear legs
- flying foxes and cable ways
- guyed derricks and structures
- suspended scaffolds and fabricated hung scaffolds.
Advanced rigging (RA)
Allows the holder to carry out dogging work and all basic and intermediate rigging work including rigging work associated with one or more of the following:
- rigging work in the class intermediate rigging
- gin poles and shear legs
- flying foxes and cable ways
- guyed derricks and structures
- suspended scaffolds and fabricated hung scaffolds.
Crane and hoist operation
The licence classes for crane and hoist operation are:
Tower crane (CT)
Allows the holder to operate a tower crane other than a self-erecting tower crane, but not to carry out dogging work associated with the operation of the crane.
Self-erecting tower crane (CT)
Allows the holder to operate a self-erecting tower crane but not to carry out dogging work associated with the operation of the crane.
Derrick crane (CD)
Allows the holder to operate a derrick crane but not to carry out dogging work associated with the operation of the crane.
Portal boom crane (CP)
Allows the holder to operate a portal boom crane but not to carry out dogging work associated with the operation of the crane.
Bridge and gantry crane (CB)
Allows the holder to operate a bridge crane or gantry crane but not to carry out dogging work associated with the operation of the crane.
Vehicle-loading crane (CV)
Allows the holder to operate a vehicle-loading crane but not to carry out dogging work associated with the operation of the crane.
Non-slewing mobile crane (CN)
Allows the holder to operate a non-slewing mobile crane with a capacity exceeding 3 tonnes, but not to carry out dogging work associated with the operation of the crane.
Slewing mobile crane (up to 20 tonnes) (C2)
Allows the holder to operate a slewing mobile crane with a capacity of not more than 20 tonnes, but not to carry out dogging work associated with the operation of the crane.
Slewing mobile crane (up to 60 tonnes) (C6)
Allows the holder to operate a slewing mobile crane with a capacity of up to 60 tonnes, but not to carry out dogging work associated with the operation of the crane.
Slewing mobile crane (up to 100 tonnes) (C1)
Allows the holder to operate a slewing mobile crane with a capacity of up to 100 tonnes, but not to carry out dogging work associated with the operation of the crane.
Slewing mobile crane (over 100 tonnes) (C0)
Allows the holder to operate a slewing mobile crane with a capacity of 100 tonnes or more, but not to carry out dogging work associated with the operation of the crane.
Materials hoist (HM)
Allows the holder to operate a materials hoist, but not to carry out dogging work associated with the operation of the hoist.
Personnel and materials hoist (HP)
Allows the holder to operate a materials hoist or personnel and materials hoist, but not to carry out dogging work associated with the operation of the hoist.
Boom-type elevating work platform (WP)
Allows the holder to operate a boom-type elevating work platform where the boom is 11 metres or more.
Concrete-placing boom (PB)
Allows the holder to operate a concrete-placing boom.
Reach stacker (RS)
Allows the holder to operate a reach stacker of greater than 3 tonnes capacity that incorporates an attachment for lifting, moving and travelling with a shipping container, but does not include a portainer crane.
Forklift operation
The licence classes for forklift operation are:
Forklift truck (LF)
Allows the holder to operate a forklift truck other than an order-picking forklift truck.
Order-picking forklift truck (LO)
Allows the holder to operate an order-picking forklift truck.
Pressure equipment operation
The licence classes for pressure equipment operation are:
Standard boiler operation (BS)
Allows the holder to operate a boiler with a single fuel source that does not have a pre-heater, superheater or economiser attached.
A boiler is not taken to be capable of being fired by multiple fuel types simultaneously only because it changes fuel types during start sequences or is fired by different grades of the same fuel simultaneously.
Advanced boiler operation (BA)
Allows the holder to operate a boiler including a standard boiler, which may have one or more of the following:
- multiple fuel sources
- pre-heater
- superheater
- economiser.
Turbine operation (TO)
Allows the holder to operate a turbine that has an output of 500kW or more and:
- is multi-wheeled; or,
- is capable of a speed greater than 3,600 rpm; or,
- has attached condensers; or,
- has a multi-staged heat exchange extraction process.
Reciprocating steam engine (ES)
Allows the holder to operate a reciprocating steam engine where the diameter of any piston exceeds 250mm.
Contact us
You can contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81 or visit one of our Access Canberra Service Centres.
If a fee applies, payment can only be made by credit or debit card.