Overview of The Updates
Slewing mobile crane licences no longer automatically cover operating vehicle loading cranes ≥10 metre‑tonnes, non‑slewing mobile cranes >3 t, or reach stackers, so those tasks will require their own specific high‑risk work licence classes.
A formal dogging VET course is now a mandatory prerequisite for most crane high‑risk work licence classes (excluding bridge/gantry and some vehicle‑loading crane classes), so operators must hold dogging before training or assessment on the main crane licence.
Proposals include new high‑risk work licences for piling rigs and telehandlers (general use and telehandlers used as a crane), removal of the 3‑tonne threshold for non‑slewing mobile cranes, lowering the threshold for vehicle loading cranes from 10 metre‑tonnes to around 1 tonne, and new categories for tower crane remote operation.
The review is moving licences toward being organised by function (how the crane is used) rather than just lifting capacity and aligning training more tightly with specific crane functions and contemporary equipment.
Please note: The regulation relating to the dogging prerequisite and the removal of encompassment has been drafted, but it has not yet been implemented.
Jurisdictions are still working through how and when this will take place.
The other 7 proposed changes are open for consultation (see Safe Work consultation portal link below).
Key Structural Elements
| Element | Previous approach (model WHS) | Updated/ Proposed approach |
|---|---|---|
| Slewing mobile crane licence | Encompass some non slewing, VL cranes, reach stackers. | No encompassment; separate licences for those plant types. |
| Dogging requirement | Often concurrent or implied, not universal. | Explicit prerequisite for most crane classes. |
| Licence structure | Mainly capacity/ type based. | More function based, aligned to specific uses and technologies. |
| New plant types (telehandler, piling rigs) | Limited or indirect coverage. | Dedicated or expanded HRW licences proposed. |
Why They Matter For Industry
Different crane types and configurations have distinct failure modes; separating licences and requiring specific training improves competence for each type, reducing the likelihood of catastrophic incidents.
Employers and operators can more clearly see which licence is needed for which task, reducing grey areas that previously existed under encompassment and mixed thresholds.
Making dogging a prerequisite ensures that operators understand loads, slinging, and signalling, improving team coordination between operators, doggers, and riggers on complex lifts.
New licences for telehandlers, piling rigs, remote operation and similar reflect how these machines are now used as cranes on sites, closing gaps where high‑risk tasks were not always matched with specific training and licensing.
How existing license holders demonstrate they have knowledge from operating the previously encompassed classes is still being discussed by each regulator.
The implementation date and the impact on existing license holders is also still being discussed amongst the jurisdictions.
Safe Work Australia wants to hear from you
Safe Work Australia has opened up consultation, and is;
Seeking advice and information from stakeholders on the impact of 7 proposed options to the High-Risk Work (HRW) licensing framework for crane operations.
The Proposed Options Include:
- a new HRW licence for piling rig operation
- a new HRW licence for general use telehandler operation
- a new HRW licence for telehandlers when used as a crane
- removal of the current 3 tonne threshold from HRW licences for non-slewing mobile cranes and renaming the licence as a ‘Licence to operate an articulated mobile crane’
- reducing the HRW licence threshold for VLCs from ‘10 metre tonnes or more’ to ‘1 tonne’
- merging the HRW licences for tower cranes and self-erecting tower cranes into a single licence, and
- a new licence for the remote operation of a tower crane.
Each option is expanded on in the Impact Analysis for Crane Licence Review and includes questions for your feedback.
Safe Work is also seeking feedback on options to improve the safety of crane operations in the maritime sector.
The discussion paper Improving the safety of crane operations in the maritime sector has been developed to seek feedback on potential options under the model WHS laws to improve safety outcomes for crane operations in maritime workplaces. A key focus is the consideration of a dedicated high-risk work (HRW) licence for operating cranes in dynamic environments, such as on vessels.
