High risk work licences
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 30 classes of high risk work, divided into 5 types of licences:
- scaffolding work
- dogging and rigging work
- crane and hoist operation
- forklift operation
- pressure equipment operation.
When you need a high risk work licence
Anyone who plans to do work that is 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 registered with Australian Skills Quality Authority
- authorised to train 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 make your licence application, you'll need to provide proof you've completed the required training.
To do this you can provide a copy of the certificate you received from the registered training organisation.
The certificate must include:
- the name of the course
- the date of completion or issue – this can't be more than 60 days before you apply
- a signature from the registered training organisation.
Check if a high risk licence is valid
To check the validity of a high risk work licence contact Access Canberra or via email at cwpl@act.gov.au.
Complete training in the ACT if you live interstate
You can complete training in the ACT if you live interstate. Students can also complete training in the ACT if they live interstate.
To do this you must provide a statement outlining your reason for applying for a high risk work licence in the ACT when you make your application.
Access Canberra will assess your application and decide whether or not a 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:
- the proximity of the individual's residential location to the ACT
- if the individual undertakes the majority of their high risk work in the ACT.
Apply for a new, updated or interstate transfer of high risk work licence
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
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.
Once your transaction is completed, your card will be mailed to your nominated postal address within 21 days.
For more information please phone contact us or email cwpl@act.gov.au
Interstate high risk work licences
A high risk work licence issued by another state or territory will be recognised in the ACT. You don't need to apply in the ACT.
If you want to transfer your high risk work licence from another jurisdiction to the ACT, you'll be issued an equivalent licence if Access Canberra is satisfied that all conditions for issuing the equivalent licence are satisfied.
If your interstate high risk work licence had any conditions on it, Access Canberra will consider the conditions and make a decision accordingly.
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.
Find out how to apply for a interstate transfer of a high risk work licence.
Apply to renew or replace 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 anytime from 6 months before your licence 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 check your address is current or update it.
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'll receive your licence by post within 21 business days.
If you haven't received it after that time, please contact 02 6207 8096.
Renewing an expired high risk work licence
You are able to renew if your licence has not been expired for longer than 12 months.
If you're outside the 12 month period please contact Access Canberra or email at cwpl@act.gov.au.
Proof of ID for high risk work licences
When you make your application you must provide proof of identity (ID).
You'll need to provide the original versions of at least 3 types of ID. At least one of the 3 must be a primary proof of ID.
Find more information on our acceptable ID for occupational licences page.
If you’re unable to satisfy the identification requirements please contact Access Canberra for further assistance.
Urgent applications for photo cards
Once your transaction has been completed, you will be given a temporary receipt as evidence of your transaction which can be used in place of your physical card until it arrives.
Your physical card will be mailed to you.
Please allow up to 21 business days for delivery. If you have not received your licence after that time, please contact us.
If you lose your receipt and require a replacement, contact us or visit a Service Centre.
Once Access Canberra has successfully confirmed your identity, we will issue you a new receipt.
Refused applications
If your application is proposed to be refused, Access Canberra will send you a written notice advising you specifically about:
- the reason or reasons for refusal
- the timeframe to make a submission to Access Canberra about the proposed refusal, which must be within 28 days of the notice.
- in response to this notice, you will be able to provide additional information and outline your reasons for believing the application should be approved and a licence granted.
Fees
Fees from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.
- Application - $109.00
- Application for renewal - $109.00
- Application to vary - $109.00
- Replacement of lost, stolen or damaged card - $41.00
- Application for Exemption - $616.00
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 three 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 not more than 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 not more than 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 over 100 tonnes 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 us or visit one of our Access Canberra Service Centres.
If paying an associated fee you can only pay credit or debit card.