High risk work licence checker
Checking whether someone holds a valid high risk work licence? That is done on your state regulator’s register: jump to how to check a licence in your state. To see which licence the job needs, search the work you are doing below and see which high risk work licence and class it needs. These are the nationally recognised licences (Schedule 3 of the WHS Regulations) for scaffolding, rigging, dogging, cranes, EWPs, forklifts, and more.
| Work | Licence | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Scaffolding (basic, intermediate, advanced) | Scaffolding licence | SB, SI, SA |
| Dogging (directing loads, selecting gear) | Dogging licence | DG |
| Rigging (basic, intermediate, advanced) | Rigging licence | RB, RI, RA |
| Operating a tower crane | Crane licence | CT |
| Operating a mobile / slewing crane | Crane licence | C2, C6, C1, C0 (by capacity) |
| Operating a non-slewing mobile crane (>3t) | Crane licence | CN |
| Operating a vehicle loading crane (>10t/m) | Crane licence | CV |
| Operating a boom-type elevating work platform (11m+) | EWP licence | WP |
| Operating a scissor lift (any height) | No licence class: WP covers boom-type only. Training and familiarisation still required | none |
| Operating a boom-type EWP under 11 m | No licence class: WP starts at a boom length of 11 m. Training and familiarisation still required | none |
| Operating a forklift (LO order picker / LF counterbalance) | Forklift licence | LF, LO |
| Operating a concrete placing boom | Crane licence | PB |
| Operating a materials hoist / personnel-materials hoist | Hoist licence | HM, HP |
| Operating a reach stacker (>3t) | Reach stacker licence | RS |
| Basic, standard or advanced boiler / turbine / reciprocating steam operation | Steam / boiler licence | various |
Licence classes are the nationally recognised high risk work licences (Schedule 3 of the WHS Regulations). Requirements can vary slightly by state; check your regulator to be sure.
A licence is not the same as a SWMS.
A high risk work licence lets a person operate the plant. A SWMS is the separate document the law requires before high risk construction work starts. Most of this work needs both.
High risk work licence check: verifying a licence in your state
The classes are national, but verifying a ticket is state business and the method differs more than most site managers expect. These are the states we have verified against the issuing authority; anywhere else, start at your WHS regulator’s licensing page.
NSW high risk work licence check: issued by SafeWork NSW
Check the Verify NSW public register for the licence status and that the holder actually carries the class of work being done. On the card itself, check the photo quality, the expiry date and that the classes match front and back. Photocopies are not accepted.
Verified 2026-08-15 against the issuing authority.
VIC high risk work licence check: issued by WorkSafe Victoria
WorkSafe’s online tool validates DIGITAL licences only. A plastic card cannot be checked online at all: it carries built-in security features and has to be sighted in person. Any instruction to "just check it online" is wrong for most tickets on a Victorian site. Whatever the format, the licence must show the holder’s photograph, date of birth, an identifying number, the expiry date and the classes authorised. Victorian licences run for up to five years.
Verified 2026-08-15 against the issuing authority.
QLD high risk work licence check: issued by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
Sight the physical licence card and keep a copy on the worker’s file, then confirm the licence is valid and covers the right classes by calling WorkSafe Queensland on 1300 362 128. If validity is in doubt the worker must not do the work. Queensland high risk work licences run for five years.
Verified 2026-08-15 against the issuing authority.
WA high risk work licence check: issued by WorkSafe WA
Enter the licence number in WA’s Online Licence Search, with the type set to High Risk Work Licence, to see the current record for that licence.
Verified 2026-10-16 against the issuing authority.
SA high risk work licence check: issued by SafeWork SA
Use SafeWork SA’s High Risk Work Licence Check. You need the licence number and the holder’s date of birth and last name; the result shows the licence, its expiry date and the classes. No match can mean the licence has expired, been cancelled or is not yet processed.
Verified 2026-10-16 against the issuing authority.
ACT high risk work licence check: issued by Access Canberra, on behalf of the WorkSafe ACT Commissioner
Search the WorkSafe ACT Public Register with the licence type set to HRWL. It shows the licence number, the expiry date and any infringements.
Verified 2026-10-16 against the issuing authority.
NT high risk work licence check: issued by NT WorkSafe
Use NT WorkSafe’s online licence check. You need the licence number, the issue date and the holder’s date of birth; it shows the holder’s name, the expiry date and the classes. It covers NT-issued licences only.
Verified 2026-10-16 against the issuing authority.
Common questions
▸What is a high risk work licence?
A nationally recognised licence required to operate certain plant and perform certain work, such as scaffolding, rigging, dogging, cranes, elevating work platforms over 11 metres, and forklifts. The classes are set out in Schedule 3 of the WHS Regulations.
▸Is a high risk work licence the same as a SWMS?
No. A licence authorises a person to operate the plant. A SWMS is a separate document required before high risk construction work starts. Most licensed work also involves high risk construction work, so you usually need both.
Licence sorted? The SWMS comes next.
Most licensed work is high risk construction work, so a site-specific SWMS has to exist before it starts. We generate yours in minutes, with every citation checked.
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