Telescopic materials handler operator ticket (nationally recognised unit)

Telehandler Licence: Cost, Length and Providers

Telehandler licence rules depend on the machine and attachment. Forks or a bucket need no high risk work licence in WA, NSW or QLD, but crane use, slewing models, work platform booms of 11 m or more and, in Victoria, machines over 3 t can. Across 10 providers, the RIIHAN309F ticket runs $379 to $1,500, usually 1 day.

Last checked 10 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm with the regulator or provider before you book.

Key facts

Unit code: RIIHAN309F
Price range: $379 to $1,500 (9 published prices)
Typical length: Usually 1 day. Australian Operator Training runs 2 days, and North Regional TAFE and South West TAFE list 3 days.
Expiry: The RIIHAN309F unit sets no expiry. Where a high risk work licence applies, it has its own term: the Victorian non-slewing telehandler licence renews every 5 years, per WorkSafe Victoria. DAT Training NSW says its Gold Card is valid for 5 years.
Providers compared: 10
Last checked: 10 October 2026

Compare telehandler ticket providers

How much does a telehandler ticket course cost?

Published prices run $379 to $1,500 across 9 of the 10 providers we compared. Each figure comes from the provider’s own course page on 10 October 2026. See every provider, sorted cheapest first.

What are the rules for telehandler ticket?

RIIHAN309F Conduct telescopic materials handler operations is the unit providers sell for telehandler tickets. It is still current on training.gov.au and is equivalent to RIIHAN309E. Its Application text says licensing varies between states and must be sourced from state jurisdictions.
Source: training.gov.au
Western Australia: WorkSafe WA says a licence is required when a multi-purpose machine (telescopic handler) is configured as a non-slewing mobile crane over 3 tonne with a boom and/or jib (class CN), or as an elevating work platform with a boom length capacity of 11 metres or greater (class WP). It says a licence is not required when the plant is fitted with other attachments such as buckets and tynes or forkarms.
Source: www.worksafe.wa.gov.au
Western Australia: the same WorkSafe WA information sheet says the national definition of a forklift truck requires the truck to be equipped with a mast.
Source: www.worksafe.wa.gov.au
New South Wales: SafeWork NSW says a telehandler fitted with forks or a bucket does not need a high risk work licence, and the business has a duty to make sure the operator is trained.
Source: www.safework.nsw.gov.au
New South Wales: SafeWork NSW says a non-slewing telehandler over 3 t with a boom or jib and a hoist rope or hook block needs a non-slewing mobile crane (CN) licence. A slewing telehandler with a boom or jib and a hoist rope or hook block needs a C2, C6, C1 or C0 licence depending on rated capacity.
Source: www.safework.nsw.gov.au
New South Wales: SafeWork NSW says a boom-type elevating work platform licence is required for a personnel box with controls in the box and a boom length of 11 m or more.
Source: www.safework.nsw.gov.au
Queensland: WorkSafe Queensland says a non-slewing multi-purpose tool carrier needs a non-slewing mobile crane (CN) licence when used as a crane over 3 t with a boom or jib and hook, and a WP licence for a work platform attached directly to the main boom that extends 11 m or more. No high risk work licence is needed for fork arms, a bucket or a grab.
Source: www.worksafe.qld.gov.au
Queensland: WorkSafe Queensland says a slewing multi-purpose tool carrier used as a crane needs a slewing mobile crane licence (C2, C6, C1 or C0 depending on capacity), and the WP rule for work platforms of 11 m or more applies as above.
Source: www.worksafe.qld.gov.au
Victoria: WorkSafe Victoria says a high risk work licence is required for a non-slewing telehandler with a rated capacity over 3 t, for a slewing telehandler, and for a boom-type elevating work platform of 11 m or more. A TV, CN, C2, C6, C1 or C0 licence meets the non-slewing over 3 t requirement. A telehandler of 3 t or less needs employer-provided training but no licence. Rated capacity is measured with fork arms and the boom fully retracted.
Source: worksafe.vic.gov.au
Victoria: a non-slewing telehandler licence (TV) has been available from 1 July 2024. WorkSafe Victoria lists course code 11249NAT, a minimum age of 18, renewal every 5 years, and no prerequisite training. It is not needed if you hold a current mobile crane high risk work licence.
Source: www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
Northern Territory: NT WorkSafe lists no licence specified (training required) for a non-slewing telehandler with a jib or crane of 3 t or less, for forks or similar attachments, and for a loader bucket. It lists CN for a non-slewing telehandler with a jib or crane over 3 t, a C class by capacity for a slewing machine with a jib or crane, and WP for a boom-type work platform greater than 11 m. The duty of care of the person conducting the business applies.
Source: worksafe.nt.gov.au
Kallibr Training says its telehandler course does not cover slewing telehandlers or jibs over 3 t, which need a C2 or CN licence.
Source: kallibr.com.au
Major Training Group lists its telehandler course scope as under 3 t, forks, a platform basket under 11 m and buckets.
Source: major.edu.au
DAT Training NSW says its telehandler course does not provide a CN or C2 crane licence.
Source: www.dattrainingnsw.com
South West TAFE sells course 11249NAT, the licensing course for non-slewing telehandler operations with a rated capacity over 3 tonnes, over 3 days at Glenormiston, Victoria. It is the only course we found that follows the Victorian licence pathway.
Source: www.swtafe.edu.au

telehandler ticket questions answered

What is the telehandler ticket unit code?

RIIHAN309F, Conduct telescopic materials handler operations. It is still current on training.gov.au and is equivalent to RIIHAN309E. The unit's Application text says licensing varies by state and must be sourced from state jurisdictions. Providers issue a statement of attainment for the unit.

How much does a telehandler ticket cost?

Across 10 providers, published course prices run $379 to $1,500, as listed on each provider's own page and last checked 10 October 2026. Some prices are from-prices or vary by location, and some providers show no price. Subsidised places are not counted in that range.

Do I need a licence to use a telehandler with forks or a bucket?

In WA, NSW and QLD the regulators say no high risk work licence is needed for forks, tynes or a bucket. In the NT, no licence is specified but training is required. In NSW the business must make sure you are trained. Victoria differs: a non-slewing telehandler with a rated capacity over 3 t needs a licence, measured with fork arms and the boom retracted.

When does a telehandler need a crane licence?

When it is used as a crane. WA, NSW, QLD and the NT all link a non-slewing telehandler over 3 t used as a crane with a boom or jib and hook to a CN licence, and Victoria accepts TV, CN or a C class licence. A slewing telehandler used as a crane needs a C2, C6, C1 or C0 licence by capacity. Kallibr Training and DAT Training NSW say their courses do not provide CN or C2.

Do I need a licence for a work platform on a telehandler?

A WP licence is needed for a boom-type work platform of 11 m or more in WA, NSW, QLD, VIC and the NT, though the wording differs slightly between regulators. Major Training Group lists a platform basket under 11 m in its course scope. Check your regulator's page for the exact boom length rule.

What is the Victorian telehandler licence?

From 1 July 2024 Victoria has a non-slewing telehandler licence (TV), which uses course code 11249NAT. WorkSafe Victoria lists a minimum age of 18, renewal every 5 years and no prerequisite training. It is not needed if you hold a current mobile crane licence. South West TAFE is the only provider we found selling it, and its page showed no dates at check time.

What about SA, Tasmania and the ACT?

We did not verify the telehandler licensing rules for South Australia, Tasmania or the ACT, so we are not stating them here. Check your state regulator before you book, and ask your provider which attachments and configurations the course covers.

Want the full walkthrough? Read our telehandler ticket guide.