High Risk Work Licence Classes
High Risk Work Licence Classes
Scaffolding, cranes, hoists, EWPs, placing booms — the work that needs a High Risk Work licence, and which class covers what. State-issued, nationally recognised, renewed every 5 years.
Scaffolding (builds up in stages)
| SB — Basic | Modular / prefabricated; needed where a person could fall over 4 m |
| SI — Intermediate | Tube-and-coupler, cantilever, hoists |
| SA — Advanced | Suspended / hung / swing-stage; crane-supported |
Other common classes
| WP — Boom-type EWP | Boom length over 11 m |
| PB — Concrete placing boom | Unit CPCCLBM3001 (line pumps / chute exempt) |
Watch the thresholds — they are different numbers
- Fall over 2 m → high-risk construction work, needs a SWMS
- Excavation over 1.5 m → needs a SWMS
- Scaffold with fall potential over 4 m → competent-person inspection before first use, after any alteration or incident, and at least every 30 days (green/amber/red tag)
Plant registration (Schedule 5, WHS Reg)
- Tower cranes; mobile cranes over 10 t; hoists with platform movement over 2.4 m for people; prefab scaffolding; mast-climbing platforms
Reference only — licence classes and plant-registration thresholds follow the model WHS laws; confirm with your state WHS regulator. Licences are nationally recognised and renew every 5 years.
Sources: Model WHS Regulations (Sch 5; s225) · Safe Work Australia · state WHS regulators
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