Consultation opens on seven potential crane licensing changes
23 Mar 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: Safe Work Australia
Safe Work Australia has opened public consultation on seven potential changes to crane licensing under the model WHS laws, including new licence types and updated requirements for existing licences.
The High Risk Licensing Framework under the model WHS laws is intended to prevent injuries and deaths by ensuring crane operators have the necessary training, qualifications and competence.
Feedback from public consultations in 2022 and 2024 helped Safe Work Australia develop potential licensing changes. SWA Members then considered options for broader updates to the High Risk Work Licensing Framework.
Following those decisions, the agency prepared a draft impact analysis examining seven possible changes. Further potential crane licensing changes will go through a similar process later in 2026.
The current consultation seeks feedback on the draft analysis and additional evidence about the costs and benefits of each option. Submissions can address all the proposed reforms or only those relevant to a person or organisation.
Safe Work Australia welcomes input from anyone interested in crane regulation, including workers, employers, business owners, suppliers, manufacturers, industry and peak bodies, WHS regulators, WHS professionals and academics.
Feedback will contribute to a Regulatory Impact Statement for consideration by WHS Ministers. Submissions can be made through Safe Work Australia’s Consultation Hub until 11:59 pm (AEST) on Monday 4 May 2026.
How Blue Safe can help: Our WHS platform can help you organise training records and manage ongoing safety activities while you assess how proposed crane licensing changes could affect your business. See Blue Safe WHS software