A Comprehensive Guide to Getting a Rigging Licence in 2024

Rigging is a specialised skill in demand in Australia’s booming construction industry. The rigging licence bestows upon its holder the responsibility to safely manoeuvre hefty loads and equipment at height. Given the high stakes, procuring this licence necessitates satisfying certain prerequisites, assuring both your acquiring of the requisite skillset and adhering to safety regulations.

Pre-Training Assessment: Grasping the Basics

Before embarking on your rigging journey, a Language, Literacy & Numeracy (LL&N) assessment emerges as the first stepping stone. The LL&N test primarily aims to establish whether potential learners hold an adequate command over the English language and possess essential numeracy skills for comprehending course content.

The LL&N assessment comprises straightforward activities designed to evaluate your reading, writing, and math abilities. These may include interpreting work instructions, deciphering safety information, or calculating load weights. A solid grasp of the English language is crucial for understanding complex concepts delivered during rigging training and for deciphering often precise-written work instructions meticulously.

It’s important to note that the LL&N test isn’t designed to deter you. On the contrary, it’s meant to help potential learners identify their strengths and weaknesses. If you struggle with certain aspects of the LL&N test, your trainer can provide appropriate support to ensure you’re equipped with the necessary skills to help avoid misunderstandings that could impact safety at a worksite.

The Age Requirement: A Matter of Responsibility

The decision to impose an age bar for obtaining a rigging licence springs from strict safety considerations. As a rigger, you not only manage large-scale and complex load movements but are also primarily responsible for ensuring the operations unfold safely.

Given the magnitude of tasks and responsibilities involved, it’s deemed that a certain level of maturity and responsibility comes with age. Hence, it’s legally required to be at least 18 years old to pursue a rigging licence in Australia. This ensures that the licensed rigger is capable of carrying out their duties in a reliable, accurate, and importantly, mature manner.

Attending a Rigging Course: Acquiring Industry-Recognised Skills

An essential step to procuring your rigging licence is enrolling in an industry-approved rigging course at a reputable Registered Training Organisation or RTO.

RTOs are quality guaranteed, government regulated education and training providers. A rigging course from an RTO ensures you gain practical skills and theoretical knowledge from industry professionals who abide by strict training and assessment guidelines.

All RTOs offer somewhat similar rigging training, focusing on key aspects like understanding and interpreting rigging plans, inspecting and assembling equipment, understanding and using different hitch types, aligning, levelling and installing rigging gear, and ensuring safety at work among other topics.

However, crucially, for the licence to be valid, ensure that the RTO offering the course is recognised in your state or territory. You can check this by referring to the list of recognised RTOs in each state or territory, usually available on the respective government department’s website.

Attending a rigging course not only arms you with necessary knowledge and skills, but also earns you a Statement of Attainment, a necessary document indicating that you’ve successfully completed the course. It’s a stepping stone to obtaining your rigging licence and a stepping-stone to your dream career.

In essence, these prerequisites give everyone involved — you, your fellow employees, and employers — the confidence and assurance that as a rigger, you possess the necessary abilities and knowledge to safely and efficiently command high-risk operations.