What high risk work licence do I need to drive a forklift?

You need an LF (forklift truck) high risk work licence to operate a forklift, or an LO (order-picking forklift truck) licence if the operator's controls rise with the load. These are licence classes under the model WHS Regulations Schedule 3 and are nationally recognised across Australia.

What high risk work licence do I need to operate a crane?

It depends on the crane. For a slewing mobile crane the class is set by rated capacity: C2 up to 20 tonnes, C6 up to 60 tonnes, C1 up to 100 tonnes, and C0 (the open class) for more than 100 tonnes. Other cranes have their own classes — CT tower, CS self-erecting tower, CD derrick, CP portal boom, CB bridge and gantry, CV vehicle-loading (10 metre-tonnes or more), CN non-slewing (over 3 tonnes), and PB concrete placing boom.

What licence do I need for scaffolding?

Scaffolding work where a person or object could fall more than 4 metres needs a scaffolding high risk work licence. There are three classes: SB basic, SI intermediate and SA advanced. The class you need matches the type of scaffolding you erect, alter or dismantle.

Is a high risk work licence nationally recognised?

Yes. A high risk work licence is nationally recognised — a licence issued by one state or territory regulator is valid right across Australia. You apply through your state or territory WHS regulator after assessment by a registered training organisation. Victoria and Western Australia run their own instruments but the licences remain mutually recognised.

What is the difference between C2, C6, C1 and C0 crane licences?

They are the four slewing mobile crane classes, set by the crane's rated lifting capacity. C2 covers slewing mobile cranes up to 20 tonnes, C6 up to 60 tonnes, C1 up to 100 tonnes, and C0 covers cranes over 100 tonnes. C0 is the open class — there is no upper limit. A higher class also covers the cranes below it.

Do I need a licence to operate an elevating work platform (EWP)?

You need a WP (boom-type elevating work platform) high risk work licence when the boom length is 11 metres or more. An EWP with a boom under 11 metres does not require a high risk work licence, but the operator still needs to be trained and competent.

How do I get a high risk work licence?

Complete training and assessment for the relevant class with a registered training organisation, then apply to your state or territory WHS regulator with the assessment paperwork and proof of identity. Once issued, the licence is nationally recognised and is generally valid for five years before renewal.

What High Risk Work Licence Do I Need?

Pick the kind of equipment or work you do and this finder returns the matching high risk work licence class code, its name and what triggers it, under the model WHS Regulations Schedule 3.

Last verified: 21 June 2026

High risk work licences are nationally recognised across Australia. There are around 30 classes — for example LF for a forklift, WP for a boom-type EWP of 11 metres or more, and C2/C6/C1/C0 for slewing mobile cranes by capacity.

What kind of equipment or work do you do?

Pick the closest match. The finder returns the high risk work licence class code(s) and what triggers each one, under the model WHS Regulations Schedule 3.

Get notified when rates change

Free alerts when minimum wage, award rates, or workplace laws are updated.

Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.

Recommended partners

Free tools surface the issue. Our partners help you solve it.

Authorised Employment Hero Partner

Employment Hero

Australian HR, payroll, rostering and award interpretation in one platform. Used by 300,000+ businesses. Fixes the underlying payroll/compliance issues our calculators surface.

Best for: SMEs that have outgrown spreadsheet payroll or want automated award interpretation.

See Employment Hero

HR support partner

Liquid HR

Senior, hands-on HR support for your toughest workforce challenges — performance and conduct, grievances and mediation, redundancy and change. Liquid HR picks up where the technology ends.

Best for: employers and individuals who need a human HR professional to guide a workplace situation, not just a calculator.

Talk to Liquid HR

IT, Microsoft & cyber partner

Frontrow Tech

Microsoft 365, Copilot rollouts, Essential Eight, Privacy Act 2026 and board-level cyber compliance for Australian SMBs. Where pay and HR end, your data and IT obligations begin.

Best for: SMBs running on Microsoft 365, anyone hitting cyber/privacy compliance, boards wanting an outside read on IT risk.

See Frontrow

Recommended partners — we only recommend partners we've vetted as a good fit for Australian workplaces. Some partnerships help fund the free tools on this site.

What High Risk Work Licence Do I Need?

Related Tools

Recommended partners

Employment Hero

Liquid HR

Frontrow Tech