Do you use earthmoving equipment to lift and carry loads such as tanks, soakwells or pits? If you do, you need a licence.

From 10 August 2025, WA's work health and safety regulations have required the operator of earthmoving machinery being used as a crane (i.e. to suspend a load) to hold a high risk work licence (HRWL), if the machinery's safe working load (SWL) exceeds three tonnes.

In this context, the SWL is the maximum mass the machine is rated to lift, in its strongest configuration.

In addition to holding a HRWL, operators of earthmoving machinery must be competent for the tasks they are required to conduct and have suitable training and experience.

The required licences are either

• CN HRWL to use a non-slewing mobile crane with a SWL exceeding 3 tonnes
• C2 HRWL to use a slewing mobile crane with a SWL exceeding 3 tonnes

The requirements apply under the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 and the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022.

For details, see the information sheet you can download from this page on the WorkSafe website.