High Risk Work Licences in Australia

High Risk Work (HRW) is work that carries significant risk of serious injury or death if not performed correctly. Under the Work Health and Safety Regulations and Safe Work Australia guidelines, certain activities require a High Risk Work Licence before you can legally perform them. Understanding these requirements is essential for your White Card test and your construction career.

A White Card (Construction Induction Card) certifies that you have completed general induction training for construction sites. It does not qualify you to perform high risk work. The White Card covers awareness of common hazards, site safety basics, and your duty of care. High Risk Work Licences are separate, competency-based qualifications for specific hazardous activities such as operating forklifts, erecting scaffolding, or working in confined spaces. You need both: a White Card to access construction sites and an HRW licence for any high risk tasks you perform.

Forklift Licence (LF Class)

Operating a forklift (LF class) requires a High Risk Work Licence when the forklift has a capacity exceeding 3 tonnes, or when used to lift people. Forklifts are common on construction sites for moving materials, pallets, and equipment. The LF licence covers both sit-down and stand-up counterbalance forklifts. Typical training includes theory (workplace safety, load handling, stability) and practical assessment. You must be at least 18 years old to apply. Unlicensed operation is illegal and carries significant penalties under WHS law.

Scaffolding Licences

Scaffolding work over 4 metres in height requires an HRW licence. There are three scaffolding classes: Basic (SB) covers modular scaffold, cantilevered crane-loading platforms, mast-climbing work platforms, and tube-and-coupler scaffold. Intermediate (SI) adds hung scaffold and suspended scaffold. Advanced (SA) covers all scaffolding types including rigging scaffold and bracket scaffold. Common scaffold types include frame scaffold, tube-and-coupler, and suspended scaffold. Each class builds on the previous one; many workers start with SB and upgrade as needed.

Working at Heights

General work at heights (e.g. using ladders, working on roofs with guardrails) is covered by your White Card and site-specific training. However, when work involves specific high risk plant or structures—such as erecting scaffolding over 4m, rigging, or operating elevating work platforms—an HRW licence is required. Fall prevention is critical: use guardrails, safety mesh, and edge protection where possible. When fall arrest systems (harnesses) are used, workers must be trained in correct fitting, anchor points, and rescue procedures. Harness systems are a last line of defence; elimination and engineering controls are always preferable.

Confined Spaces

A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed area that is not designed for continuous occupancy and has limited entry/exit, where the atmosphere may become hazardous. Examples include tanks, silos, pits, pipes, and crawl spaces. Risks include oxygen depletion, toxic atmospheres (from gases, vapours, or residues), engulfment, and entrapment. Entry into a confined space requires an entry permit, atmospheric testing, isolation of hazards, a standby person, and emergency procedures. Safe Work Australia defines confined space work clearly; workers involved in entry or rescue must be trained and competent. Many permit-required confined space roles link to HRW or equivalent competency.

Excavation Work

Excavation and trenching pose serious risks: trench collapse, burial, and engulfment. Trenches deeper than 1.5 metres typically require control measures such as shoring (supporting walls with timber or hydraulic braces), benching (stepping the sides to reduce collapse risk), or trench boxes. Soil type, water, and adjacent loads affect stability. A trench can collapse in seconds with little warning; cave-ins are often fatal. Workers must never enter unsupported trenches. Safe Work Australia and the WHS Regulations specify requirements for excavation design, supervision, and access. While excavation supervision may not always require a separate HRW licence, competence in excavation safety is mandatory.

Crane Operation

Crane operation is high risk work requiring specific licence classes. Common classes include: C2 (slewing mobile crane up to 20 tonnes), C6 (slewing mobile crane up to 60 tonnes), C1 (slewing mobile crane up to 100 tonnes), and C0 (slewing mobile crane over 100 tonnes). Non-slewing mobile cranes (CN), bridge and gantry cranes (CB), and tower cranes (CT) have their own classes. Dogging (DG) involves slinging and directing loads; rigging involves setting up and dismantling lifting equipment. Doggers and riggers work closely with crane operators and must hold the appropriate HRW licence.

Rigging

Rigging work requires an HRW licence at three levels. Basic Rigging (RB) covers structural steel erection, precast concrete, safety nets, static lines, perimeter safety screens, and cantilevered crane-loading platforms. Intermediate Rigging (RI) adds hoists, rigging of cranes and conveyors, dual lifts, and demolition. Advanced Rigging (RA) covers all rigging work including tilt slabs, demolition by dismantling, and dual cranes. Riggers must understand load weights, sling angles, and safe working loads (SWL). Incorrect rigging can cause loads to fall, cranes to overturn, and serious injury.

When Do You Need an HRW Licence?

You need an HRW licence when performing any of the prescribed high risk work classes under the WHS Regulations. Key activities include:

• Forklift (LF): Operating forklifts over 3t capacity or lifting people
• Scaffolding (SB/SI/SA): Erecting, altering, or dismantling scaffold over 4m
• Crane operation (C0–C6, CN, CB, CT, etc.): Operating specified crane types
• Dogging (DG): Slinging and directing loads
• Rigging (RB/RI/RA): Basic, intermediate, or advanced rigging
• Boiler operation: Operating specified boilers
• Pressure equipment: Operating specified pressure equipment
• Reach stacker (RS), Order-picking forklift (LO): Certain materials handling plant

Safe Work Australia publishes a full list of HRW classes. Licence requirements are consistent across Australian jurisdictions under the nationally harmonised WHS framework, though application processes vary by state or territory.

This guide references the Work Health and Safety Regulations and Safe Work Australia’s High Risk Work Licence guidelines. For the latest classes and application details, consult your state or territory work health and safety regulator.