What are the crane licence classes?
SafeWork NSW lists these crane classes. Each class covers only the crane types it names, and the mobile classes step up by capacity.
| Class | Crane | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| CN | Non-slewing mobile crane | Greater than 3 t capacity, with a boom or jib that cannot be slewed. |
| C2 | Slewing mobile crane, up to 20 t | Incorporates CN and CV. |
| C6 | Slewing mobile crane, up to 60 t | Incorporates C2, CN and CV. |
| C1 | Slewing mobile crane, up to 100 t | Incorporates C6, C2, CN and CV. |
| C0 | Slewing mobile crane, over 100 t | Incorporates C1, C6, C2, CN and CV. |
| CV | Vehicle loading crane | Capacity of 10 metre tonnes or more, mounted on a vehicle. |
| CB | Bridge and gantry crane | Controlled from a fixed cabin, or remotely operated with more than three powered operations. |
| CT | Tower crane | A jib or boom crane mounted on a tower structure, demountable or permanent. |
| CS | Self-erecting tower crane | The tower structure and boom or jib elements are not disassembled into component sections. |
| CD | Derrick crane | Slewing strut-boom cranes, with their booms pivoted at the base of a mast. |
| CP | Portal boom crane | Boom or jib cranes mounted on a portal frame that is supported on runways. |
WorkSafe WA groups its crane classes as CD, CP, CN, CV, CB, CT, CS, C2, C6, C1 and C0, plus reachstackers and earth moving equipment used as a crane. For excavators in crane mode, see the high risk work licence guide. For container reachstackers, WorkSafe Victoria’s guidance note says operators must hold a minimum competency of the non-slewing class (CN), and that holders of a licence in any slewing class (C2, C6, C1 and C0) also qualify. That note is older guidance, so confirm it with the regulator.
How does crane licence assessment work?
- Train and get assessed through an RTO. WorkSafe Victoria says you first complete training through a registered training organisation and pass the assessment.
- Apply to the regulator. WorkSafe Victoria says to lodge your licence application with your assessment results within 60 calendar days, or you must repeat the assessment at your own cost. Other regulators set their own steps, for example SafeWork NSW uses an assessment enrolment number.
- Pay the regulator fee. WorkSafe Victoria lists $77.70 per class to apply, as read on 10 October 2026.
Age, validity and renewal
- Age. SafeWork NSW says an applicant must be at least 18 years of age. WorkSafe Victoria’s licence page does not state an age, so check your regulator.
- Validity. SafeWork NSW says the licence expires after 5 years, and WorkSafe Victoria says it is valid for five years. In NSW, classes added later expire on the same date as the licence.
- Renewal. WorkSafe Victoria lets you apply to renew within 12 months of the expiry date and lists a renewal fee of $58.70. After more than 12 months you need proof of exceptional circumstances.
Dogging and rigging
Dogging is the application of slinging techniques, including selecting or inspecting lifting gear, and directing a crane or hoist operator when the load is out of the operator’s view, per WorkSafe Victoria. It is a separate licence class.
- Crane classes. SafeWork NSW’s crane class descriptions state no dogging prerequisite. Ask your RTO whether the course you are booking includes dogging.
- CV and CB holders. WorkSafe Victoria says holders of CB or CV licences can do dogging work without a dogging licence, limited to their crane type. WorkSafe WA adds that these operators cannot direct another crane operator when the load is out of view, so a dogger is needed then.
- Rigging. SafeWork NSW says you must hold the dogging class before you can progress to the rigging classes. Compare providers on our dogging and rigging pages.
- Trainees. WorkSafe WA says an unlicensed worker can dog only while enrolled in a dogging licence course and under supervision of a licensed dogger.
How much does a crane licence cost?
There are two costs. The first is the RTO’s training and assessment fee. We did not find a published price for it in the sources we could read, so we do not quote one, and prices vary by provider, class and state. The second is the regulator’s fee: WorkSafe Victoria lists $77.70 per class to apply and $58.70 to renew. To compare related tickets, use our rigging and dogging pages, browse all tickets, and plan the order with the cert planner.
For where a crane ticket fits in a mining career, read how to get into mining, and for Victorian operations see mining jobs in Victoria.
Frequently asked questions
What is a crane licence?
It is a high risk work licence (HRWL) for a crane class, often called a crane ticket. You pass an assessment with a registered training organisation (RTO), then apply to your state or territory regulator, such as WorkSafe Victoria or SafeWork NSW. The licence is class specific, so it only covers the crane types in the class you hold.
What do CN, C2, C6, C1 and C0 mean?
SafeWork NSW describes CN as non-slewing mobile cranes greater than 3 t capacity with a boom or jib that cannot be slewed. The slewing mobile crane classes are C2 up to 20 t, C6 up to 60 t, C1 up to 100 t and C0 over 100 t. NSW lists each higher class as incorporating the lower ones, so C0 incorporates C1, C6, C2, CN and CV.
Which crane licence do I need for a vehicle loading crane or an overhead crane?
SafeWork NSW lists CV for vehicle loading cranes with a capacity of 10 metre tonnes or more, mounted on a vehicle. For overhead cranes, CB covers bridge and gantry cranes controlled from a fixed cabin, or remotely operated with more than three powered operations. WorkSafe WA says CV and CB licences include load estimation and slinging, so those operators can sling for their own crane.
How long does a crane licence last and can I renew it?
Five years. SafeWork NSW says the licence expires after 5 years and must be renewed to continue high risk work, and WorkSafe Victoria says the licence is valid for five years. WorkSafe Victoria lets you apply to renew within 12 months of the expiry date, and after that you need proof of exceptional circumstances.
How old do I need to be to get a crane licence?
SafeWork NSW says an applicant must be at least 18 years of age. The age rule in other states is set by each regulator, so check yours before you enrol.
Do I need a dogging licence before a crane licence?
SafeWork NSW states a dogging prerequisite only for the rigging classes: you must hold the dogging class before you can progress to rigging. Its crane class descriptions state no dogging prerequisite. Dogging is still a separate licence, and WorkSafe WA says you must hold a Dogging licence to do dogging work. Ask your RTO whether the course you are booking includes dogging, and see the dogging and rigging comparisons on this site.
How much does a crane licence cost?
We did not find a published price for a crane licence course in the sources we could read, so we do not quote one. Prices vary by provider, class and state. The regulator fee is separate: WorkSafe Victoria lists $77.70 per class to apply and $58.70 to renew, as read on 10 October 2026. Compare providers for related tickets on the rigging and dogging pages.
Does a slewing mobile crane licence cover a container reachstacker?
WorkSafe Victoria's guidance note says container reachstacker operators must hold a minimum competency of the non-slewing class (CN), and that holders of a licence in any slewing crane class (C2, C6, C1 and C0) are also covered. The note is older guidance, so confirm it with WorkSafe Victoria.
Sources
Last updated 10 October 2026. Facts on this page come from the sources below.
- SafeWork NSW: High risk work licences (read 10 October 2026)
- WorkSafe Victoria: High risk work licence (read 10 October 2026)
- WorkSafe Victoria: Dogging and slinging techniques (read 10 October 2026)
- WorkSafe Victoria: Guidance note, cranes licence requirements for container reachstackers (read 10 October 2026)
- WorkSafe WA: High risk work licence classes (read 10 October 2026)
- WorkSafe WA: High risk work licensing for dogging (read 10 October 2026)
Class descriptions are from SafeWork NSW. Licence classes follow a national scheme, but each state and territory regulator publishes its own rules and fees, so confirm with yours before you enrol. We do not quote provider prices on this page.
Where to next
- High risk work licences All classes, process and validity.
- Dogging Compare dogging providers.
- Rigging Compare rigging providers.
- Mining tickets and certificates What employers ask for, with providers.
- Cert planner Plan which tickets to get first.
- How to get into mining Entry paths, tickets and first steps.
- Mining jobs in Victoria Gold, brown coal and WorkSafe Victoria.
- Mining salaries Pay by role, with sources.
Not sure where to start?
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