To obtain a high risk work (HRW) licence, you will need to apply to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ). HRW licences are renewable and photographic.

A person wishing to obtain a HRW licence must undertake:

1. formal training – provided by a registered training organisation (RTO) with approval to deliver the particular course competency.
2. informal training – workplace training under the supervision of someone holding the relevant HRW licence, which may include a log book.
3. formal assessment – an assessment conducted by an accredited assessor to determine competency to obtain the particular licence.

Interstate residents seeking a Queensland HRW licence

Interstate applications will be considered when:

• the applicant lives close to a location in Queensland where a HRW application can be made (for example border locations such as Tweed Heads)
• the applicant lives interstate but their primary place of work is Queensland - this includes fly in fly out workers. These applicants must provide evidence that they are fly in fly out workers either through a letter from their employer or a statutory declaration form
• the applicant works for a national company that has a commercial arrangement with an RTO that provides the training and assessment in Queensland. These applicants must provide evidence of the commercial arrangement through a letter from their employer.

Interstate applicants must complete their training and assessment in Queensland and lodge their HRW licence application in Queensland.

High risk work (HRW) licence application process

1. Find an RTO offering training for a HRW licence class.
2. Complete both formal training and informal learning through an RTO.
3. Contact the RTO and book in a theory and practical assessment. Assessors are required to provide WHSQ 3 business days notice prior to conducting any assessment. Successful applicants will receive an assessment summary (AS1) from the accredited assessor and a statement of attainment from the RTO.
4. Within 60 days of a successful assessment, apply for a high risk work (HRW) licence or add a new licence class on an existing HRW licence by completing an online application form (or go to the Worksafe 'Online services' drop down menu).

To apply you must have:

• an AS1 form - an assessment summary issued by a Queensland accredited assessor
• a QGov account (an email address is required to create an account).

It is also recommended you have:

• your existing Queensland HRW licence (if applying to add an additional class)
• any interstate HRW licences you hold, with the classes you want transferred to your Queensland HRW licence. To be eligible for transfer, interstate licences must be photographic and cannot be expired more than 12 months
• additional AS1 forms, issued by a Queensland accredited assessor, for classes that you wish to apply for (you must apply within 60 days of the assessment date)
• one of the following Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) identifications:
• Queensland issued drivers licence
• adult proof of age card (18+ card)
• marine licence indicator card
• industry authority card.

Note: if you do not hold one of the above TMR identifications you will need to attend a TMR Customer Service Centre to have your identification created. You will need to present 3 evidence of identity (EOI) documents as defined by the Department of Transport and Main Roads. You can still apply if you don't have one of these. Learn more about evidence of identity.

5. Payment can be made by:
• credit card
• BPAY (biller code and reference number will be provided at the end of the application process).

Note: application fees are non-refundable.

If you have made an application within the initial 60 days, retain the assessment summary from your application and your AS1 form as evidence that you can lawfully perform work in the relevant class of high risk pending a decision on your application.

An application fee is payable for each new licence class.

Find out more about work health and safety licensing.

Also consider...

• Find an RTO in Queensland who can deliver training and assessment for high risk work licences.

If your business conducts or deals with high risk work you will need to hold a current high risk work (HRW) licence from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ).

You can renew your HRW licence online.

When lodging a HRW licence renewal you will need the following details:

• Queensland drivers licence or Queensland proof of age card if applicable
• HRW licence card
• Licence renewal number (find this on your renewal notice or by phoning 1300 362 128).

Note: Australia Post outlets do not process applications to renew HRW licences.

Renew a current interstate HRW licence

Holders of high risk work licences issued interstate who move to Queensland can renew their licence in Queensland.

A HRW licence is valid to be renewed in Queensland if it:

• is photographic
• is issued in an Australian state or territory
• expires within 3 months of the date of application for renewal.

Note: If your licence is issued interstate and is non-photographic it may not be eligible to be renewed in Queensland. Phone WHSQ on 1300 362 128 before lodging an application.

You can apply to renew your interstate issued high risk work (HRW) licence online.

To apply you will need the following information:

• your interstate HRW licence (i.e. licence number, issue and expiry date)
• details of your QGov/Google/Microsoft account - if you do not have one of these accounts you can register for a QGov account during the application process
• a valid email address
• customer reference number (CRN) from one of the following Queensland Transport and Main Roads (TMR) issued licence cards:
  • Queensland issued drivers licence
  • adult proof of age card (18+ card)
  • marine licence indicator card
  • industry authority card
  • HRW product number provided by TMR for a previous HRW application.

You can still lodge your application if you do not have a relevant TMR CRN. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) will contact you to provide information about how to obtain a TMR CRN.

Note: Digital photographs and signatures held by TMR (that meet a certain criteria) are used for the purposes of printing a HRW licence. You may be required to visit a TMR counter to create a TMR account or provide a new photograph and signature.

Payment can be made by:

• credit card
• BPAY (biller code and reference number will be provided at the end of the application process).

Note: application fees are non-refundable.

Change your contact details

You can change your HRW licence details online or by phoning 1300 362 128.

Also consider...

• Find out more about work health and safety licensing.

A licence to perform high risk work (HRW) is part of a system which authorises individuals to carry out particular classes of work.

There are 29 high risk work licence classes (for example scaffolder, dogger, tower crane operation, forklift operation). This national system has been incorporated into Queensland law by the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation).

Under the WHS Regulation, to obtain a licence a person must be trained in accordance with the relevant unit of competency by a registered training organisation (RTO) and then be assessed as competent against the relevant assessment instrument by an accredited assessor who is approved by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ).

The purpose of accreditation of assessors is to provide a consistent standard of assessment of individuals applying for HRW licences. This assists employers and others who have duties under health and safety laws to be satisfied that workers are competent to perform HRW in order to ensure the health and safety of workers and others in the workplace.

How to become an accredited assessor

A person wishing to obtain accreditation as an assessor for classes of high risk work is required to provide WHSQ with the following information:

• a completed Form 93 - Application for accreditation as an assessor for high risk work classes or application for an additional class on an existing accreditation (PDF, 3.3MB)
• a completed Form 91 - Notification or cancellation of alignment with a registered training organisation (RTO) (PDF,136KB)
• evidence of your identity - sufficient evidence includes a copy of your current driver's licence (front and back) or 18+ card (front and back), or a current passport (Australian or international)
• a passport-sized photo (interstate HRW licence holders only)
• a copy of your current high risk work licence for the relevant HRW class/es for which accreditation is sought (new applications only)
• a copy of your VET assessor qualifications/competencies or equivalent (new applications only)
• one signed copy of the conditions of accreditation as an assessor for high risk work classes (PDF, 628KB)
• the application fee (GST does not apply to fees). Pay the fee for each class of high risk work for accreditation sought for a 3-year period
• evidence of industry and operational experience:
  • at least 2 years relevant industry and operational experience for each class (new applications only) – for example, evidence of hours of operation, training experience, assessor experience
  • at least 35 hours of operational experience across the range of work within the class of work in the previous 2 years.

Send your application to:

Post:
Licensing and Advisory Services
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
PO Box 820
LUTWYCHE  QLD  4030

Email: WHSQLicensing@oir.qld.gov.au

If your business is involved in removing asbestos material you will need to obtain an appropriate licence.

Friable asbestos – class A asbestos removal licence

A 'class A' asbestos removal licence is for businesses removing friable asbestos. Class A asbestos removal licence holders must ensure the removal of friable asbestos is directly supervised by a nominated supervisor.

Nominated supervisors for class A asbestos removal work must be at least 18 years old and have at least 3 years or relevant industry experience. Any nominated supervisor changes must be notified to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ). The nominated supervisor must also have certification in both:

• CPCCDE3015A Remove friable asbestos
• CPCCBC4051A Supervise asbestos removal.

Class A asbestos removal licence holders are also authorised to carry out class B asbestos removal work, and the removal of asbestos-contaminated dust or debris (ACD) that is greater than minor contamination.

Non-friable (bonded) asbestos – class B asbestos removal licence

A 'class B' asbestos removal licence is for businesses removing 10m² or more of non-friable asbestos. The licence does not authorise the removal of friable asbestos (class A asbestos removal work).

Where class B asbestos removal work is being carried out by more than 1 person, the licence holder must ensure a supervisor is readily available to the workers carrying out the asbestos removal work.

A class B asbestos removal work supervisor must be at least 18 years old and have at least 1 year of relevant industry experience. The supervisor must have certification in:

• CPCCDE3014A Remove non-friable asbestos
• or
• CPCCDE3015A Remove friable asbestos.

When applying for a class B asbestos removal licence, the applicant does not need to provide WHSQ with details about supervisors for class B asbestos removal work.

Although a licence is not required to remove less than 10m² of non-friable asbestos material, all asbestos removal work must be carried out properly using safe work procedures. Refer to the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation 2011 (WHS regulation) and How to safely remove asbestos – code of practice 2021 (PDF, 2.2MB) for more information.

Asbestos removal licences issued under the WHS Regulation 2011 are valid for a period of 5 years.

Read the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) summary for the following Asbestos licences:

• Asbestos Removal Licence – A Class
• Asbestos Removal Licence – B Class.

Apply for an asbestos removal licence

Download and complete Form 80 – Application for asbestos removal licence for Class A or Class B (PDF, 303KB), ensuring required documents are attached.

Asbestos assessor licence

An independent licensed asbestos assessor is required to carry out certain functions connected with 'class A' asbestos removal work. These are:

• air monitoring
• clearance inspections
• issuing a clearance certificate.

Asbestos assessor licences are valid for a period of 5 years and are issued to individuals, not a business. The licence will be subject to conditions that are imposed to ensure that all licensed asbestos assessors maintain an appropriate level of transparency in their operations and are aware they may be monitored by WHSQ to ensure asbestos assessor activities are being carried out safely and competently.

Apply for an asbestos assessor licence

Download and complete Form 81 – Application for asbestos assessor licence (PDF, 191KB).

Also consider...

• Read the Asbestos licensing and notification guide for applicants (PDF, 240KB) to find out more about removing asbestos safely.
• Find a RTO offering asbestos removal and courses.
• Find out more about work health and safety licensing.

If your business carries out demolition work then you will need a demolition licence.

The holder of a demolition licence must ensure that a nominated person who meets the criteria set out in Information Paper D2 (PDF, 235KB) is present or readily available to a worker carrying out demolition work.

Applicants for a licence to carry out demolition work must meet the requirements of Information Paper D1 (PDF, 277KB) and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.

The documentation required for your licence application is detailed in the guidelines of Form 76 – Application for a licence to carry out demolition work (PDF, 302KB).

Demolition licences are valid for a period of 2 years from the date of issue.

Read the Demolition work licence summary on the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS).

Also consider...

• Find out more about work health and safety licensing.

The General Construction Induction card (white card) is intended to provide new and existing building and construction industry workers with the introductory understanding and knowledge needed to commence or continue work within the building and construction industry.

To hold a general construction induction card you must show knowledge of:

• occupational health and safety legislative requirements
• basic principles of risk management and injury and illness prevention in the construction industry.

To obtain a general construction induction card, you will need to undertake training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that offers the unit of competency – CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry.

Once you have successfully completed the training, the RTO will issue evidence that you have completed the training and the white card. You should keep evidence of completion of training (your statement of attainment) as it may be required to replace your card in the future.

Read the General construction induction card summary, including how to apply for an induction card, on the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS).