High risk work licensing

The current (June 2024) processing times for a new HRWL, or to add a class to an existing HRWL, is approximately 60 calendar days.

A confirmation of receipt email is sent to all applicants within 14 days of receiving the application. Posted applications will take longer to be received.

To assist Licensing Officers to focus on processing applications as quickly as possible, applicants are asked not to phone or email for an update on their application unless:

1. You have not received a confirmation of receipt email after 3 weeks (please check your junk email folder before calling), or
2. You have not been contacted about your application after 60 days.

Application processing times vary depending on the volume of applications being received and the completeness of the application submitted.

If your application is missing details or does not meet the required standard, you will receive an email and or text message from a Licensing Officer. Please ensure you monitor your messages, including junk mail folders, for any communication. 

The answer is usually yes. You can work while your high risk work licence application is being considered if you meet the requirements detailed below. 

New high risk work licence

You can work for up to 60 days from the date that you are issued with a Notice of Satisfactory Assessment (NOA) without a HRWL.

You can continue to work beyond 60 days without a licence if you apply for the required licence within the 60 day period, and until:

1. the application is refused,
2. the application is granted, or
3. the application is withdrawn.

If your application is refused you must stop work under that class of licence within 28 days of being notified of the refusal.

Add a class to an existing high risk work licence

Below are the units of competency which will help when searching for an RTO.

The following information is provided to support Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) who submit HRWL applications on behalf of applicants. More detail can be found in the following information sheet:

Registered training organisations lodging high risk work licence applications: Information sheet.

Online declaration form

Applicant declaration for RTO online submission. Use this form if you are an RTO submitting application for high risk work licence online on behalf of your students.

HRWL application pro tips

Although high risk work licence applications are relatively simple, errors are made which can lead to delays or refusal. Avoid the following common application errors to ensure each application is successful:

1. Provide a high quality photograph which meets passport standards
2. Ensure each application form is completed in full
3. Make sure the Notice of Satisfactory Assessment (NOA) and Statement of Attainment (SOA) are:
   1. completed in full and
   2. are not more than 60 days old at the time the application is received

RTO resources

When submitting a batch of applications (more than 1 by post or more than 5 in person) RTOs are required to also provide a completed cover sheet:

Bulk submission of applications for a high risk work licences - RTO coversheet.

If your students will be submitting the application themselves the HRWL applicant flyer information sheet is provided for RTO’s to distribute to them.

A person who carries out high risk work involving plant is not required to be licensed if:

• the work is carried out at a workplace solely for the purpose of the manufacture, testing, trialing, installation, commissioning, maintenance, servicing, repair, alteration, demolition or disposal of the plant at that workplace or moving the plant within the workplace, and
• the plant is operated or used without a load except when standard weight loads with predetermined fixing points are used for calibration of the plant.

Moving includes operating the plant in order to load the plant onto, or unload it from, a vehicle or equipment used to move it.

A person who carries out work with a crane or hoist is not required to be licensed as a crane operator:

• if the work is limited to setting up or dismantling the crane or hoist, and
• if the person carrying out the work holds a licence in relation to rigging, which qualifies the person to carry out the work.

A person who carries out high risk work with a boiler that is being used for a historical purpose or activity or ancillary to a historical activity is not required to be licensed as a boiler operator. Examples of historical activity given in the Work Health and Safety Regulations include a historical display, parade, demonstration or re-enactment. Activity ancillary to a historical activity include restoring, maintaining, modifying, servicing a boiler used or to be used for a historical activity.