You need a High Risk Work (HRW) Licence if you intend to work with any of the following:
- cranes
- forklifts
- hoists
- pressure equipment
- reach stackers
- scaffolding
- dogging
- rigging.
An HRW licence is valid for 5 years and can be used in any Australian state or territory.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an HRW licence, you need to:
- be 18 years or older
- have completed HRW training with a registered training organisation (RTO) in the appropriate class of high risk work
- have been assessed as competent in the class by a SafeWork NSW accredited assessor working for the RTO
- be able to use English at a level that enables high risk work to be carried out safely.
What you need
- Once you’ve passed your assessment, your assessor will provide you with the following forms:
- the original orange and white copy of your Notice of Satisfactory Assessment (NSA)
- the PDF form – ‘Assessment by a SafeWork NSW accredited assessor for a national licence to perform high risk work – Application’.
- You’ll also need:
- 100 points of evidence of identity (your assessor will verify your documents)
- a passport-size photograph with your name and date of birth printed on the back (verified by your assessor)
- your current HRW licence (if you have one)
- your payment.
How to apply
You must apply within 60 days from the date of issue of your NSA.
- Complete the ‘Application – PDF’ provided by your assessor, but do not sign it.
- Gather together:
- your orange and white NSA
- the identity documents and photograph your assessor verified
- your unsigned application form
- your current HRW licence (if applicable)
- your payment (if applicable).
- Select the ‘Find an Australia Post office’ button.
- Select ‘More services’ and filter by:
- ‘Identity and document services’
- ‘Licence to perform high risk work – NSW (new and renewal)’.
- Visit your chosen Post Shop, and:
- read and sign the declaration in front of an Australia Post officer
- lodge your application.
More information
- If you make a mistake when filling out the application form, ask your assessor for another form or call 13 10 50.
- You should receive your licence within 4 weeks.
- You can use the pink copy of your NSA while you wait for your licence, provided you lodged your application within 60 days of the NSA being issued.
- You can follow the same training and assessment process to add a new class of work, to your existing HRW licence.
- A single HRW licence with multiple classes of work is valid for 5 years, from the date of issue of the first class endorsement.
- Under the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 high risk work requires a licence. Always carry your HRW licence with you when you’re at work.
Documents
- New application information sheet national licence to perform high risk work – PDF
- Assessment by a SafeWork NSW accredited assessor for a national licence to perform high risk work – Application – PDF
- Evidence of identity information sheet for participants of high risk work licence assessments – PDF