A. Licence to Perform High Risk Work is a nationally recognised, regulator issued licence required for the following categories of high risk work:
Forklift and Orderpicker operation
Crane and Hoist operation
Scaffolding work
Rigging and Dogging
Pressure equipment operation
A. Condition 41 states “If the applicant has answered ‘Yes’ to question 4(b) on the CA1 form ‘Have you ever been issued with a NSA by an accredited assessor for an HRW licence class(es) to which the application applies?’ The assessor must not conduct an assessment in that HRW licence class without prior approval from 3PM. RTOs should apply for approval via thirdparty@workcover.nsw.gov.au prior to enrolling applicants in the HRW licence VET course (or UOC)”.
WorkCover Position:
Permission to assess is no longer required for old-style licences that expired prior to 31 December 2012 under the No Photo, No Valid Expiry, No Licence campaign, as these are unable to be renewed. However, if an applicant was issued an NSA within the last 5 years RTOs/Assessors must obtain permission to assess from the Third Party Management Unit, who will check whether a licence was issued and if so, if it is current. Additionally, as per Condition 42, if the applicant’s licence was suspended or cancelled, approval will also need to be obtained.
A. Relates only to NSW
WorkCover Position:
Yes. Assessors may provide a copy of the diagrams in the scaffolding assessor version of the instruments (only) to their RTOs to allow them to source equipment. RTOs may also show these diagrams to an Engineer or other appropriate third party to validate requirements and safety of applicants. They must not however be provided to the applicant.
A.
WorkCover Position:
Yes, a middle initial only is acceptable on these documents. If the customer has a middle name then this must be provided to the assessor and Australia Post on at least one form of identification. For example, the full middle name is usually listed on a drivers licence, passport or birth certificate.
A. An application that is submitted in excess of 60 days from the assessment date will be rejected.
RTOs and Assessors must advise all applicants to lodge their HRW licence application documents within 60 days of the date of assessment including:
The original proof of successful assessment form issued by the Assessor or RTO, and
An Application for a national licence to perform high risk work form, and
Original and acceptable evidence of identity (EOI) documents totalling at least 100 points, and
Colour, passport size photo, and
The prescribed application fee(s).
Applicants who do not lodge documents within 60 days of the assessment date must re-enrol with a RTO and undergo a full licence assessment - and usually pay an additional fee.
A. An applicant must reside in the state to which they are making their HRW licence application (for new applications and renewals). If an applicant resides outside that state circumstances must exist to justify a licence being issued. Often, pre-approval of the regulator to assess must be obtained by the RTO prior to enrolling the applicant in training.
If the applicant does not live in the state or territory, the assessor must not conduct an assessment in that HRW licence class without approval from the regulator. The form of the approval may change from one jurisdiction to another.
RTOs should apply for approval prior to enrolling an applicant with an interstate address in the training course.
Note: an applicant must be able to provide at least one piece of acceptable EOI to show residency.
A. A licence is required for any person performing work with high risk equipment or plant. The licence is valid in every Australian state and territory, enabling the holder to operate or work with high risk equipment under consistent standards anywhere in Australia.
All “Old Licences” issued up until mid 2007 have now expired, and anyone holding one of these licences cannot lawfully work in the high risk occupations. They must stop work in any high risk activity, and take immediate steps to get a licence under the new system or upgrade via their appropriate licence Regulator.
A. Licences are now issued by regulators under the WHS Regulations or the National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work to people in the applicable occupations. This is the consistent standard applied across Australia.
To be eligible for a licence, an operator must be trained. The training must be done via a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). To find an approved RTO search the TGA website at www.training.gov.au
The Regulations or National Standard set out :
A. The WHS Regulations and National Standard apply to:
A. There are only two options. All persons performing high risk work must either;
1. hold (or applied for) a licence in accordance with the regulations of the jurisdiction where they work, or
2. be engaged in formal training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
An employer or person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must not direct or allow a worker to carry out high risk work unless they sight written evidence that the worker satisfies one of the above options.
A. Training can take place in the workplace, at a training facility, or a mixture of both. Online training can also be used in conjunction with practical training in a "blended" program
A. Training and Assessment for high risk work licensing can only be carried out by an approved and accredited RTO.
Accredited assessors conduct licence assessments on behalf of an RTO. The previously commonplace practice of providing informal training arrangements in workplaces is no longer legal.
Workplace training can still take place, but it must be under a formal training program.
A. The required knowledge and expertise is set out in a Unit of Competency for each type of licence. This information is readily available on a government website at www.training.gov.au via use of their search engine.
The Unit of Competency is broken down into “elements” and tell us what is required to successfully meet each requirement. The full details and expectations should be clearly outlined by the RTO at the start of the training.
A. No. You may be able to get credit or recognition for experience you have gained in the workplace previously, but you will have to satisfy the assessor that you have achieved sufficient competence and experience to be able to successfully undertake the assessment. This is normally in the form of a training record (logbook) and formal RTO statement. You could also apply to undertake a process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
As a condition of their accreditation, licence assessors are not permitted to conduct an assessment for a HRW licence unless they sight evidence of formal training and supervised practical training or experience in some form acceptable to the RTO.
A. You must be at least 18 years of age to apply. Training can be undertaken for persons younger than 18, under a formal arrangement with an RTO, and where supervision by a competent licensed person is part of the training program, but you cannot be assessed for the licence until you turn 18 years.
A. Those licences or certificate have now expired, and a licence must be obtained to perform high risk work. Every licence must now be renewed every 5 years, and the holder must ensure they can demonstrate competence.
A. Yes, in some jurisdictions. There are a couple of differences across states and territories, so it is best to check with your Regulator. Persons who transport this plant across borders (and load/unload) would be prudent to make sure they hold the appropriate licence.
A. Apart from those people in formal training or awaiting the issue of a licence after lodging an application, the following work does not require a HRW licence:
A. This is a question best directed to the Regulator in each jurisdiction, but it is noted that penalties can apply to PCBU’s that encourage, induce or cause a licence holder to carry out high risk work in a manner other than the way the licence holder was taught.
No, unless the trainee worker is enrolled in a formal training course through an RTO, leading to a HRW licence in that class of high risk work.
People who do not hold a HRW licence, or are not undergoing this training, are no longer able to do high risk work, even under the supervision of another licence holder.
