Moving heavy loads with a crane isn’t just about the operator — someone has to sling the load, judge the weight, pick the lifting gear and direct the lift safely. That’s what dogging and rigging tickets are for. Here’s the plain-English version of the licences, what each one covers, and how you get them.
Short version: Dogging and rigging tickets are nationally recognised high-risk work licences issued by your state WHS regulator. You start with Dogging (DG), then can step up through Basic (RB), Intermediate (RI) and Advanced (RA) rigging. You train and get assessed by a licensed assessor, and you need a White Card first.
What these tickets are and who needs one
Dogging and rigging licences are high-risk work (HRW) licences under Australia’s model WHS laws. They’re nationally recognised, so once issued they’re valid in every state and territory.
You need a dogging ticket if your job involves slinging techniques — selecting and inspecting lifting gear, estimating load weight, and directing a crane operator when the load is out of their view. If you’ve ever seen someone guiding a crane with hand signals or a two-way radio, that’s a dogger.
You need a rigging ticket if you move, place or secure loads and structures using mechanical load-shifting equipment and associated gear — think structural steel, precast concrete, plant and equipment, and the temporary structures that hold it all in place while it’s being built.
Because this is construction work, you also need a White Card before you can be on site at all. Dogging is the usual starting point, because slinging skills underpin everything above it.
It helps to picture how the roles fit together on a real lift. The dogger sizes up the load, works out roughly how heavy it is, picks the right chains, slings or shackles, checks that gear for damage, and then guides the crane operator — who often can’t see the load — with clear hand signals or radio calls. The rigger handles the bigger picture: moving and securing plant, standing up structural steel, placing precast panels, and setting up the temporary structures that keep everything stable while it’s assembled. On a busy job the same person may hold both tickets, but they’re separate skills with separate licences.
What each class covers
Dogging is a standalone licence and the foundation. Rigging then comes in three classes that build on each other — you need Basic before Intermediate, and Intermediate before Advanced.
| Licence | Code | What it broadly covers |
|---|---|---|
| Dogging | DG | Slinging techniques, selecting and inspecting lifting gear, and directing a crane operator during a lift. |
| Basic rigging | RB | Moving plant and equipment, steel erection, particular hoists, placement of pre-cast concrete, safety nets and static lines, mast climbers, perimeter safety screens and shutters, and cantilevered crane loading platforms. |
| Intermediate rigging | RI | Everything in Basic, plus rigging associated with cranes, conveyors, dredges and excavators, tilt slabs, demolition of structures, and dual lifts. |
| Advanced rigging | RA | Everything in Intermediate, plus gin poles and shear legs, flying foxes and cableways, guyed derricks and structures, and suspended scaffolds and fabricated hung scaffolds. |
The activity lists are set nationally, but treat the above as a plain-English guide — confirm the exact current scope of each class with your state WHS regulator before you book training.
How to get a dogging or rigging ticket
The process follows the national HRW licensing framework, so it’s broadly the same across the country.
Step 1: Get your White Card
You can’t do construction work without general construction induction. Sort your White Card before anything else.
Step 2: Check the age and prerequisites
You must be at least 18 to hold a HRW licence. Dogging has no rigging prerequisite. For rigging, you generally need to start at Basic and work up — Intermediate requires Basic, and Advanced requires Intermediate.
Step 3: Train and be assessed by a licensed assessor
You complete the training for the ticket and are then assessed by an assessor licensed to test high-risk work. Assessment has a written knowledge part and a practical part where you actually sling, direct and rig loads. Expect several days depending on the class and your experience.
Step 4: Apply to your state regulator
When you pass, the assessor issues a notice of assessment. You then apply to your state WHS regulator — usually within 60 days — with proof of identity. The regulator issues the licence card.
Step 5: Carry your licence on site
Keep the card on you when you work. Supervisors and inspectors can ask to see it at any time.
A word on the order you tackle these. Most people start with dogging because it’s the foundation and because so much rigging work leans on solid slinging skills. From there you’d usually take Basic rigging, then Intermediate once you’ve built real experience, and Advanced later again. Trying to rush the higher classes without hours on the tools rarely pays off — the practical assessment is demanding, and the work itself is unforgiving.
How long it lasts and how to renew
A high-risk work licence usually lasts five years. Renewal is an administrative step before the expiry date — you don’t normally re-sit the assessment. If you let it lapse you may have to reapply, so set a reminder.
Training cost and the regulator’s licence fee both vary by provider and state, and they’re separate charges. Don’t rely on a fixed figure — check the current training price with a registered provider and the current licence fee with your state regulator.
Where to confirm the rules
- Safe Work Australia — the national model WHS laws and HRW licence framework.
- Your state WHS regulator — SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, WorkSafe WA, SafeWork SA, WorkSafe Tasmania, NT WorkSafe or WorkSafe ACT — for applications, fees and renewals.
- training.gov.au — to confirm a course or unit of competency is genuine.
FAQ
What’s the difference between dogging and rigging?
Dogging is about slinging loads and directing the crane. Rigging is about moving, placing and securing loads and structures with mechanical equipment. Dogging is the foundation skill; rigging builds on it.
Do I need dogging before rigging?
Many workers get dogging first because slinging is central to rigging work, and it’s the common entry point. Confirm the current prerequisite arrangement with your state regulator when you plan your path.
Is a rigging ticket the same as a crane licence?
No. Rigging covers preparing and securing loads. Operating the crane needs a separate crane operator licence, which has its own classes.
Are these licences valid interstate?
Yes. High-risk work licences are nationally recognised, so a licence issued in one state is valid across Australia. Keep it current.
Can I go straight to Advanced rigging?
No. The rigging classes stack — Basic, then Intermediate, then Advanced.
Where to confirm everything
- safeworkaustralia.gov.au — model WHS laws and the HRW licence system.
- Your state WHS regulator — for applications, current fees, renewals and the exact class scopes.
- training.gov.au — to check a course or unit is nationally recognised.
General information only — not safety, legal or licensing advice. Dogging and rigging are high-risk work; always check the current rules with your state WHS regulator and only train with a registered provider before acting.
Related guides
- High-Risk Work Licences Explained
- White Card: Cost and Online Guide
- Crane Operator Licences Explained
- Scaffolding Tickets Explained
- Your Rights on Site
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a dogging ticket and a rigging ticket?
Dogging covers slinging loads and directing a crane operator using signals or radio; rigging covers moving and securing loads and structures with mechanical lifting gear, such as structural steel or precast concrete.
Do I need a White Card to get these tickets?
Yes — rigging and dogging work is treated as construction work, so a White Card is required first.
Are dogging and rigging tickets recognised nationally?
Yes — they’re high-risk work licences issued by your state WHS regulator and valid across Australia once issued.
What levels does rigging have?
Rigging steps up through Basic (RB), Intermediate (RI) and Advanced (RA), each covering more complex lifting work.
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