Crane operator rules in Tasmania

This page reports what the official source says. It is not legal advice: ask the office named here. The sources are four WorkSafe Tasmania pages: the classes of high risk work (last updated December 1, 2023), when a licence is not required (February 26, 2024), how to apply (January 6, 2025) and training for a licence (February 20, 2020). The national picture is on the parent page, cranes in tree work.

At a glance

Item	What the sources say
Regulator	WorkSafe Tasmania, phone 1300 366 322
Crane classes	CB, CV, CN, C2, C6, C1, C0, CD, CP, CT and CS
Minimum age	18
Licence term	Renewed every five years
Where to lodge	A Service Tasmania outlet, with a fee and a photograph
Vehicle loading crane threshold	10 metre tonnes

The crane classes

WorkSafe Tasmania lists these crane classes: bridge and gantry crane (CB), vehicle loading crane (CV), non-slewing mobile crane (CN), slewing mobile crane (C2, C6, C1, C0), derrick crane (CD), portal boom crane (CP), tower crane (CT) and self erecting tower crane (CS). A non-slewing mobile crane licence applies to a capacity greater than 3 tonnes. The slewing licences go by capacity: C2 up to 20 tonnes, C6 up to 60 tonnes, C1 up to 100 tonnes and C0 any capacity. The page says a slewing licence encompasses the non-slewing, vehicle loading and reach stacker work. A bridge or gantry crane needs a licence if it is controlled from a permanent cabin or control station, or is remotely controlled and has more than 3 powered operations.

The 10 metre tonne rule

For vehicle loading cranes, WorkSafe Tasmania says an operator needs a high risk work licence where the crane has a capacity of 10.0 metre tonnes or greater. Where the maximum working load is less than 10 metre tonnes, no licence is required, but the operator is to be adequately trained to operate the crane competently. A metre tonne figure is the maximum mass that may be lifted at a given slewing radius, multiplied by that radius, with the mass taken from the load chart that must be fixed to the crane in view of the operator. One lifting capacity of 10.0 metre tonnes or more is enough to make the licence necessary. Its worked examples show 12.0 metres at 0.85 tonnes giving 10.2 metre tonnes, which needs a licence, and 3.0 metres at 3.25 tonnes giving 9.75 metre tonnes, which does not, unless another entry on the load chart reaches 10.0.

Machines used as cranes

Earthmoving equipment. The page says there are no high risk work licences for front end loaders, backhoes, skid steer loaders or excavators. The person conducting the business must ensure operators get specific training, also when the machine is used as a crane. The person slinging the loads or directing the operator must at least hold a dogging licence if they must judge the load mass, the centre of gravity, the slings or attachment points, or if the load is partly or fully out of the operator's view.
Telehandlers. A non-slewing multi tool carrier fitted with a jib or used as a crane at a rated capacity of 3 tonnes or less needs no licence under the legislation. Above 3 tonnes it needs a non-slewing mobile crane licence (CN). A slewing one fitted with a jib or used as a crane of any description needs the slewing licence that matches its rated capacity. One with a boom-type work platform over 11 metres needs the WP class.
Container side lifters, scissor lifts and mobile stock pickers. No licence for any of the three. The page says operators of scissor lifts and mobile stock pickers must still be trained and instructed.

The page says that where no licence is required the person running the business must ensure operators have adequate information, training, instruction and supervision. It lists evidence of competency that can be used, including statements of attainment, training records and documented experience such as log books. A person carrying out work with a crane or hoist is not required to hold a crane operator licence if the work is limited to setting up or dismantling it and the person holds a rigging licence that qualifies them for that work.

Applying and renewing

WorkSafe Tasmania says an applicant must be at least 18, have done a recognised course with a registered training organisation, use English at a level that allows safe work, have the knowledge and ability to do the work safely, and have been assessed as competent by a Tasmanian accredited assessor. Training in the workplace is not allowed until the person is formally enrolled with the organisation. A competent person gets an Assessment Summary and Interim Licence. The application goes in at a Service Tasmania outlet within 60 days of the assessment, with the form, the assessment and identity documents, and a fee and photograph. If the licence has not arrived within 60 days, the applicant must contact WorkSafe Tasmania.

Licences are renewed every five years, with a declaration that competency has been maintained in every class renewed. WorkSafe Tasmania will not renew more than 30 days before expiry. After expiry there are 12 months to apply, but no high risk work may be done in that time. After that the person is treated as a new applicant who must be reassessed. Holders must tell WorkSafe Tasmania within 14 days if their address or name changes, if they become incapable of the work, or if another state or territory suspends or cancels their licence. The pages read do not state the fees.