Essential Tickets and Licences for Construction Work in WA

Working in construction in Western Australia means holding the right tickets, licences, and certifications. Some are legally required before you set foot on site. Others aren’t mandatory but make you significantly more employable and open up higher-paying work.

Here’s a complete guide to the tickets and licences you need for construction work in Perth and WA.

Mandatory: White Card

Every person working on a construction site in Australia must hold a white card (General Construction Induction Card). No exceptions.

Course: CPCCWHS1001 — Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry
Duration: 6 to 8 hours (face-to-face)
Cost: $80 to $150
Validity: Does not expire (but some employers require renewal after 5 years)
Who needs it: Everyone — tradies, labourers, apprentices, supervisors, project managers, engineers, anyone on an active construction site

You can complete the white card course at dozens of RTOs across Perth. You’ll receive a temporary card on the day and the physical card by post within a few weeks.

High-Risk Work Licences (HRWL)

High-risk work licences are issued by WorkSafe WA and are required for operating specific types of plant and equipment. These are nationally recognised and transferable between states.

Crane Operator Licences

C2 — Slewing Mobile Crane (up to 20 tonnes): Entry-level mobile crane licence
C6 — Slewing Mobile Crane (up to 60 tonnes): Mid-range mobile crane work
C1 — Slewing Mobile Crane (up to 100 tonnes): Large mobile cranes
CO — Slewing Mobile Crane (over 100 tonnes): The highest crane operator licence
CT — Tower Crane: Operating tower cranes on high-rise and major construction sites
CV — Vehicle Loading Crane (over 10 tonne-metres): Hiab and truck-mounted crane operations
CN — Non-Slewing Mobile Crane (over 3 tonnes): Smaller non-slewing cranes like franna cranes

Rigging Licences

RB — Basic Rigging: Sling loads for crane operations, erect and dismantle basic scaffolding
RI — Intermediate Rigging: Erect and dismantle complex scaffolding, steel structures, and mast climbers
RA — Advanced Rigging: All rigging work including gin poles, flying foxes, and complex lifts

Scaffolding Licences

SB — Basic Scaffolding: Erect, alter, and dismantle scaffolding up to a specified height
SI — Intermediate Scaffolding: Cantilevered, hung, and suspended scaffolding
SA — Advanced Scaffolding: All scaffolding work including specialised systems

Other HRWL Classes

DG — Dogging: Direct crane operations and sling loads (prerequisite for rigging)
WP — Boom-Type Elevated Work Platform (over 11m): Operating large boom lifts
LF — Forklift Truck: Operating forklifts (essential for materials handling)
PB — Pressure Equipment (Boiler): Operating and monitoring boilers

Working at Heights

A working at heights certificate is required for anyone working above 2 metres — which covers a huge range of construction tasks.

Course: RIIWHS204E — Work Safely at Heights
Duration: 1 day
Cost: $150 to $300
Validity: Typically 2 years (employer-dependent)
Who needs it: Roofers, scaffolders, steel fixers, painters, ceiling fixers, HVAC installers, and anyone regularly working on elevated platforms, roofs, or scaffolding

Confined Space Entry

Required for work in tanks, tunnels, pits, manholes, ducts, and other confined spaces.

Course: RIIWHS202E — Enter and Work in Confined Spaces
Duration: 1 day
Cost: $200 to $350
Validity: Typically 2 to 3 years
Who needs it: Plumbers, electricians, maintenance tradespeople, civil construction workers, and anyone entering confined spaces during construction or maintenance

Elevated Work Platform (EWP) Ticket

Required for operating scissor lifts, boom lifts, cherry pickers, and other elevated work platforms.

Course: RIIHAN301E — Operate Elevated Work Platforms
Duration: 1 day
Cost: $200 to $350
Validity: No formal expiry but many employers require refresher every 2 to 3 years
Who needs it: Electricians, plumbers, ceiling fixers, HVAC installers, painters — anyone using EWPs regularly

Note: The HRWL WP licence is needed for boom-type EWPs over 11 metres. The short course covers EWPs under 11 metres.

First Aid Certificate

Not always mandatory but expected by most employers, and required for supervisors and safety-critical roles.

Course: HLTAID011 — Provide First Aid (includes CPR)
Duration: 1 day
Cost: $100 to $200
Validity: 3 years (CPR refresher annually)
Who needs it: Site supervisors, leading hands, safety officers, and anyone wanting to be more employable

Traffic Management

Required for workers controlling traffic around construction zones on public roads.

Course: RIIWHS205E — Control Traffic with Stop-Slow Bat
Duration: 1 day
Cost: $150 to $300
Validity: Typically 3 years
Who needs it: Traffic controllers, civil construction workers, utility workers

For higher-level traffic management roles:
– Implement Traffic Management Plan: RIIWHS302E
– Design and Design Traffic Management Plans: Available through specialist training

Truck and Heavy Vehicle Licences

Holding a truck licence opens up a wide range of construction and transport opportunities.

HR (Heavy Rigid): Drive trucks with 3 or more axles (tip trucks, concrete agitators)
HC (Heavy Combination): Drive prime movers with single trailers
MC (Multi Combination): Drive road trains and B-doubles
MR (Medium Rigid): Drive smaller trucks — useful for tradespeople who need to tow equipment or deliver materials

Truck licence costs in WA range from $500 to $2,000 depending on the class, and you’ll need to pass a practical driving test through the Department of Transport.

Telehandler Ticket

Required for operating telehandler forklifts, which are standard equipment on construction sites for lifting and placing materials.

Course: TLILIC0005 — Licence to Operate a Telescopic Materials Handler
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Cost: $600 to $1,200
Who needs it: Labourers, trades assistants, and anyone operating telehandlers on site

Excavator and Earthmoving Tickets

For operators of earthmoving equipment:

Excavator: RIIMPO318F — Conduct Civil Construction Excavator Operations
Front end loader: RIIMPO320F — Conduct Civil Construction Front End Loader Operations
Skid steer: RIIMPO318F or specific skid steer unit
Roller: RIIMPO323F — Conduct Civil Construction Roller Operations
Backhoe: RIIMPO321F — Conduct Civil Construction Backhoe Operations

These aren’t high-risk work licences (no WorkSafe card) but are certificates of competency required by employers and insurers. Costs range from $500 to $1,500 per machine type.

Asbestos Awareness and Removal

Asbestos Awareness

Required for anyone who may encounter asbestos-containing materials during construction, demolition, or renovation work — particularly on buildings constructed before 1990.

Course: CPCCDE3014 — Remove Non-Friable Asbestos (Class B) or awareness training
Duration: Half day to 1 day
Cost: $100 to $300

Asbestos Removal Licence

Required for workers and companies that remove asbestos. There are two classes:

Class B: Removal of bonded (non-friable) asbestos — the most common type in residential renovation and demolition
Class A: Removal of friable asbestos — highly regulated, requires additional training and equipment

Mine Site Specific Tickets

If you’re targeting FIFO or mining work, you’ll typically need:

National Police Clearance (less than 3 months old)
Pre-employment medical (including drug and alcohol screen)
Mine site induction (site-specific, provided by the mining company)
Manual handling certificate
4WD training (for some remote sites)

Some mining companies also require specific competencies like gas testing, working in heat, or fatigue management.

How to Get Your Tickets in Perth

Most construction tickets can be completed through RTOs in Perth within 1 to 3 days. Some of the main training centres include:

IADT
Trainwest
Allens Training
Construction Training Centre Belmont
GSTS (Global Safety Training Solutions)
iLearn & Develop

Many RTOs run courses daily across Perth’s industrial areas — Malaga, Osborne Park, Welshpool, Kewdale, and Rockingham.

Which Tickets Should You Get First?

If you’re starting out in construction, prioritise these:

White card — you can’t get on site without it
First aid — valued by every employer
Working at heights — required for a huge range of tasks
EWP — needed on most commercial and industrial sites
Trade-specific licence (electrical, plumbing, etc.) — if you’re a qualified tradesperson

After that, add confined space, forklift, and any other tickets relevant to your trade or target sector.

Perth Trades Recruitment Can Help

Perth Trades Recruitment places tradespeople and construction workers in jobs across Perth and WA. We can advise you on which tickets you need for specific roles and connect you with employers who value well-credentialed workers.

Contact Perth Trades Recruitment to find construction jobs in Perth and get advice on the tickets you need.