​​Crane Licensing Training Update​

Home>Projects>​​Crane Licensing Training Update​

Transport and Logistics

​​Crane Licensing Training Update​

This project will update training products relevant to crane licensing to align with amendments to the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations, in support of reforms to improve safety and productivity outcomes.

Latest update Project Commencement
Anticipated completion 30 June 2027
Latest update Technical Committee Established 10 September 2026
About the project

Project overview

Crane operators are essential to Australia’s construction, mining, and renewable energy sectors, supporting major infrastructure projects and ongoing urban development. Demand for skilled operators remains strong, with employment growth projected to increase by 5.4% over the next five years.  

Safe and precise lifting, moving, and positioning of heavy materials is critical to the success of complex projects. As a result, crane operation requires a highly specialised skill set.  

Safety is central to all crane operations. Operators are required to apply effective risk management practices, respond quickly to changing conditions, and strictly comply with work health and safety (WHS) protocols. These specialised skills make crane operators indispensable to safe, efficient, and compliant lifting operations across Australian industry. 

In response to a request from Safe Work Australia, Industry Skills Australia (ISA) will update Units of Competency relevant to crane licensing to align with amendments to the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations, introduced on 5 December 2025. These amendments represent the first stage of reforms to the Crane Licensing Framework, which is currently under review to improve safety outcomes and ensure licensing arrangements keep pace with evolving work practices and equipment technologies.

Why this matters

What it means for industry

Strong skills and knowledge are critical for crane operators to maintain workplace safety, meet WHS regulatory requirements, and manage high-risk lifting tasks effectively. 

Well-trained operators reduce the likelihood of incidents by understanding load limits, ground conditions, equipment capabilities, and maintenance requirements, while also helping to minimise risk and liability for employers. 

Updating the Units of Competency will support workforce development aligned with contemporary work practices, modern equipment, and current WHS regulations. This, in turn, will contribute to improved productivity, safer worksites, and greater consistency in crane operations nationwide. 

project

What will be delivered

To ensure crane licensing Units of Competency are aligned with amendments to the model WHS Regulations, this project will: 

Include the Unit of Competency CPCCLDG3001 – Licence to perform dogging as a prerequisite requirement for the following units: 

  • Licence to operate a derrick crane (TLILIC0017) 
  • Licence to operate a portal boom crane (TLILIC0019) 
  • Licence to operate a non-slewing mobile crane (greater than 3 tonnes capacity) (TLILIC0040) 
  • Licence to operate a slewing mobile crane (up to 20 tonnes) (TLILIC0022) 
  • Licence to operate a slewing mobile crane (up to 60 tonnes) (TLILIC0023) 
  • Licence to operate a slewing mobile crane (up to 100 tonnes) (TLILIC0021) 
  • Licence to operate a slewing mobile crane (over 100 tonnes) (TLILIC0020) 

Review relevant crane licensing Units of Competency to remove any references to encompassment provisions that currently allow holders of slewing mobile crane licences to operate: 

  • Vehicle loading cranes with a capacity of 10 metre tonnes or more
  • Non-slewing mobile cranes with a capacity exceeding 3 tonnes, and 
  • Reach stackers

This project will update: 

  • 2 qualification/s – Certificate III and IV in Mobile Crane Operations 
  • 9 Units of Competency 
  • 1 Skill Set – Event Infrastructure Skill Set 

This project will also: 

  • update the ​TLI​ Companion Volume Implementation Guide; 
  • produce a mapping document stating changes made; 
  • update any out-of-scope product affected by the changes made to the project training products. 

How this will be achieved 

ISA will consult and coordinate with state and territory WHS regulators, key industry stakeholders, registered training organisations (RTOs), and other Jobs and Skills Councils to communicate proposed changes and support national consistency in interpretation and application.

A Technical Committee (TC) will be established and will include representatives with expertise in crane licensing training, Safe Work Australia, state and territory WHS regulatory bodies, industry associations, and crane enterprises. The TC will provide expert guidance on required changes to the Units of Competency.

ISA will engage with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle and carefully consider all feedback to ensure the revised training products meet industry needs. A consultation log summarising feedback and ISA’s responses will be maintained and made available on the ISA website.

Following endorsement of the updated training products, ISA will facilitate a webinar to support stakeholders in understanding the changes and their practical implications.

Latest updates

Project Commencement

Technical Committee Established

Industry Skills Australia has established a Technical Committee (TC) for this project. Comprising 18 subject matter experts from industry, RTOs, Unions, Regulators, and Commonwealth, State and territory representatives, the committee will update Units of Competency relevant to crane licensing to align with amendments to the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations.  

The first meeting of the Technical Committee is scheduled for ​7/10/2026​.  

Subject matter experts needed

Work on this project has commenced and Industry Skills Australia (ISA) is forming a Technical Committee. 

Your industry expertise and insight are welcome to help update Units of Competency relevant to crane licensing to align with amendments to the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations.  

Registrations of interest for a Technical Committee closed on 12 August 2026.