If you’ve been on a few sites you’ve probably heard blokes throwing around “I’ve got my yellow card” or “you need your heights ticket for that” like everyone just knows what they mean. Truth is, half the industry mixes these up too. Some of these are actual government licences you can get fined for not having. Others are just a course certificate that proves you’ve been trained.
Getting them mixed up matters. Turn up to a job saying you’ve got your “EWP licence” when you’ve only done the yellow card, and you might not be allowed near the boom lift that’s actually on site. This guide breaks down EWP tickets, working at heights, and confined space training in plain English — what each one actually is, whether it’s a real licence or just a certificate, and roughly what it costs in 2026.
We’re not going to tell you which training mob to book with — there are heaps of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) around Australia and they all run roughly the same nationally recognised courses. Always check that whoever you book with is a registered RTO on training.gov.au before you hand over any money.
The short version (TL;DR)
- The EWPA “yellow card” (unit RIIHAN301E) covers boom lifts under 11 metres plus scissor lifts, vertical lifts, and other non-boom EWPs. It’s a nationally recognised statement of attainment — not a government licence.
- The WP High Risk Work Licence is only needed for boom-type EWPs with a boom length of 11 metres or more. This one IS a real licence issued by your state WHS regulator (like SafeWork NSW or WorkSafe QLD) and takes about 5 years before you renew it.
- Working at Heights (unit RIIWHS204E) is a statement of attainment, not a licence — it just proves you’ve done recognised training in working safely at height.
- Confined Space (unit RIIWHS202E) is also a statement of attainment, not a licence.
- Rough costs in 2026: yellow card around $250–$450, working at heights around $150–$300, confined space around $200–$350, and the WP High Risk Work Licence course around $600–$800 plus a separate government licence fee (roughly $90–$150 depending on the state) — always check the official register for current pricing, since it varies a lot by state and provider.
- Employers often pay for tickets they need you to have for a specific job. Plenty of apprentices and jobseekers also pay out of pocket for common ones to make themselves more employable — that’s a personal call, not something anyone can tell you what to do about.
Licence vs statement of attainment — what’s the actual difference?
This is the bit that trips people up most. In Australia there are two very different things that both get called “tickets”:
High Risk Work (HRW) Licences are issued directly by your state or territory WHS regulator (SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe QLD, WorkSafe Vic, and so on) under the model WHS laws. You do training and an assessment with an RTO, but the actual licence — the card with your photo on it — comes from the government, costs a separate fee, and expires after 5 years. Forklifts, cranes, rigging, dogging, and boom-type EWPs 11m+ all fall under this category.
Nationally recognised units of competency (often just called “tickets” or “statements of attainment”) are training courses delivered by RTOs that lead to a certificate proving you’ve done the training. There’s no government licence card, no application to a regulator, and technically no legislated expiry date — though most sites treat them as needing a refresher every couple of years, since industry practice and insurers often expect it. Working at heights, confined space entry, and the EWPA yellow card all sit in this category.
EWP tickets: yellow card vs WP licence
This is the one that causes the most confusion on site, so let’s be really clear about it.
The EWPA yellow card covers boom-type EWPs with a boom length under 11 metres, plus scissor lifts, vertical lifts, trailer-mounted and truck-mounted lifts. It’s based on the nationally recognised unit RIIHAN301E — Operate elevating work platform. You do the course and assessment through an RTO, get a statement of attainment, and (if you go through EWPA specifically) can order the physical yellow card for a small admin fee. It is not a High Risk Work Licence.
The WP High Risk Work Licence is only required for boom-type EWPs with a boom length of 11 metres or more, as defined by Safe Work Australia’s model laws. This is a genuine government-issued licence — you train with an RTO, sit a formal assessment, then apply to your state regulator (for example through Service NSW or SafeWork NSW) for the actual licence, which is a separate step and a separate fee on top of the course. It’s valid for 5 years before renewal.
So: under 11m boom (or any non-boom EWP) → yellow card is the standard industry ticket. 11m or more boom → you legally need the WP High Risk Work Licence, and operating one without it can land the operator and the employer in trouble with the regulator.
Working at Heights
The Working at Heights ticket (unit RIIWHS204E — Work safely at heights, sometimes still called by older code names on older certificates) covers things like using harnesses, anchor points, ladders and safe systems of work when there’s a fall risk. It’s a one-day course in most cases, done through an RTO, and results in a statement of attainment — again, not a government licence. Plenty of builders, roofers, scaffolders, riggers and even some warehouse and telco roles will ask for it before you’re allowed on a roof, scaffold or any elevated work area.
Confined Space
The Confined Space ticket (unit RIIWHS202E — Enter and work in confined spaces, which superseded the older RIIWHS202D code) covers safe entry and work in spaces like tanks, pits, shafts and tunnels where there’s restricted entry/exit and risks like poor air quality. It’s another nationally recognised statement of attainment, not a licence, and is commonly asked for in civil, plumbing, electrical and utilities work. Some employers also want a separate “confined space rescue” ticket if the job involves being the standby rescuer, which is a different, more advanced course.
Who actually pays for these?
There’s no single rule here and it really depends on the job and the employer. Generally speaking, if a specific ticket is mandatory for a task your boss needs you to do, employers will often cover the cost — it’s in their interest to have a compliant workforce. On the flip side, it’s common for apprentices, labourers and people between jobs to get tickets like working at heights or the yellow card done at their own expense, because having them already can make you more employable or open up extra shifts. Whether that’s worth it for you depends on your trade, your local job market and what you can afford — it’s genuinely a personal call, not something with a right answer for everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Do these tickets expire?
HRW licences (like the WP boom licence) legally expire after 5 years and must be renewed with the regulator. Statements of attainment like the yellow card, working at heights and confined space don’t have a legislated expiry, but most workplaces and insurers expect a refresher every 1–3 years — check with the specific site or employer, since it varies.
Can I do the yellow card instead of the WP licence to save money?
Only if the EWP you’ll actually be operating has a boom under 11 metres or isn’t a boom-type lift at all. If the machine on site has an 11m+ boom, the yellow card doesn’t cover you — you need the WP High Risk Work Licence, full stop.
Is training at one RTO valid Australia-wide?
Yes — nationally recognised units of competency (like RIIWHS204E or RIIHAN301E) and HRW licences issued under the model WHS laws are recognised across states and territories, though HRW licence card issuing is done state by state, so check your specific state regulator’s process.
How do I check if an RTO is legit before I pay?
Search their name and RTO code on training.gov.au — the official national register of training providers and courses.
This guide is general information only — not financial or legal advice. Requirements and costs change and vary by state. Always confirm with the official regulator or provider linked above before booking or paying for anything. Information correct as at July 2026.
Official sources: Safe Work Australia — Elevating work platforms overview, SafeWork NSW — High risk work licences, SafeWork NSW — Licensing fees, WorkSafe QLD — Boom-type elevating work platform (WP) licence, Service NSW — Apply for a high risk work licence, training.gov.au — RIIHAN301E Operate elevating work platform, training.gov.au — RIIWHS204E Work safely at heights, training.gov.au — RIIWHS202E Enter and work in confined spaces, EWPA — Yellow Card.