Consultation on Crane Licensing Updates

Detected March 23rd, 2026

Summary

Safe Work Australia has opened a public consultation on potential updates to crane licensing under the model WHS laws. The consultation seeks feedback on an impact analysis of proposed changes, including new license types and updated requirements for existing crane licenses. The feedback will inform WHS Ministers' decisions on the reforms.

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What changed

Safe Work Australia is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to crane licensing requirements under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. The consultation focuses on an impact analysis of seven potential changes, which include introducing new types of crane licenses and updating the criteria for existing ones. This initiative aims to enhance the High Risk Work Licensing Framework to prevent injuries and fatalities by ensuring crane operators are properly trained and competent.

Interested parties, including employers, workers, industry bodies, and WHS professionals, are invited to submit feedback on the costs and benefits of these proposed reforms. The consultation period closes on May 4, 2026. The submissions will contribute to a Regulatory Impact Statement that will be reviewed by WHS Ministers to guide future decisions on crane licensing regulations.

What to do next

Review the draft impact analysis on proposed crane licensing reforms.
Submit feedback on the costs and benefits of proposed changes by May 4, 2026.

Source document (simplified)

23 Mar 2026

Safe Work Australia has opened public consultation on the impact of potential changes to crane licensing under the model WHS laws.

The High Risk Licensing Framework under the model WHS laws aims to prevent injuries and fatalities by ensuring crane operators are properly trained, qualified and competent.

Public consultations held in 2022 and 2024 on proposed crane licensing reforms informed SWA’s development of several potential changes to the licensing system.

Following these consultations, SWA Members considered options for broader updates to the High Risk Work Licensing Framework.

Based on these decisions, the Agency prepared a draft impact analysis covering 7 possible changes. These proposed changes include introducing new types of licences and updating the requirements for existing crane licences.

Further potential changes to crane licensing will be addressed in a through a similar process later in 2026.

This consultation process seeks feedback on the impact analysis as well as seeking further evidence around the costs and benefits of each option. Safe Work Australia welcomes submissions from anyone with an interest in crane regulations – submissions can be on all, or only some, of the reforms that may affect you or your organisations.

Your feedback will form part of a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) that will be considered by WHS Ministers.

Who should participate?

Anyone with an interest in crane regulation including workers, employers, business owners, suppliers and manufacturers, industry and peak bodies, WHS regulators, WHS professionals and academics