At what boom length do I need an EWP licence?

A boom-type elevated work platform with a boom length of 11 metres or more needs a class WP High Risk Work Licence under the model WHS Regulations, Schedule 3. Under 11 metres, no HRWL is required. The trigger is boom length, not how high the platform reaches.

Do scissor lifts need a High Risk Work Licence?

No. Scissor lifts and vertical-mast lifts have no boom, so they never trigger the class WP licence, at any platform height. Operators still need to be trained and assessed as competent under the general WHS training duty, with AS 2550.10 as the accepted way to demonstrate safe use.

Is the EWPA Yellow Card a legal requirement?

No. The EWPA Yellow Card (RIIHAN301E) is an industry training credential, not a legal requirement, for EWPs that don't need a class WP licence. Principal contractors commonly demand it as evidence of competency, but WHS law itself doesn't name it.

How long is a class WP High Risk Work Licence valid, and when do I renew it?

A class WP licence is valid for 5 years from issue. Renewal is available up to 30 days before expiry. Late renewal is allowed up to 12 months after expiry, though you're not licensed to operate during that gap. Beyond 12 months overdue, you need full re-training and re-assessment.

EWP Licence Checker

Find out whether operating an elevated work platform needs a class WP High Risk Work Licence, by boom length and machine type, plus the 5-year renewal window.

Last verified: 26 July 2026

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