If you operate or plan to operate a boom lift where the boom length is 11 metres or more, you are legally required to hold a High Risk Work Licence (HRWL) in South Australia. This isn’t an employer preference or industry best practice. It is a mandatory legal requirement under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA). This applies equally in other states and territories and is a requirement under their respective legislation. Holding a licence for boom lifts over 11 metres is a national requirement for when using a boom lift with a reach over 11metres.
This article explains exactly who needs the licence, how the 11 metre threshold works, and what the process looks like from training through to receiving your card.
The Licence You Need: TLILIC0005
The unit of competency for this licence is TLILIC0005 — Licence to operate a boom-type elevating work platform (boom length 11 metres or more). Completing this training and passing the SafeWork SA assessment is what qualifies you to apply for your HRWL.
The licence is nationally recognised and is issued by the state safety regulator. In South Australia the licence is issued by SafeWork SA, and once gained it is valid across all states and territories in Australia.
It is worth being clear on one point that often causes confusion: completing the TLILIC0005 training course does not automatically give you an HRWL. Training makes you eligible to sit the SafeWork SA assessment. Passing the assessment then allows you to apply for the licence. Both steps are required.
How Does the 11 Metre Threshold Work?
The 11 metre rule is based on boom length, not platform height above ground. SafeWork SA defines boom length as whichever is greater:
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The vertical distance from the ground surface supporting the machine to the floor of the platform at maximum height, or
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The horizontal distance from the centre point of the boom’s rotation to the outer edge of the platform at maximum reach
This means a boom lift with significant horizontal reach can trigger the HRWL requirement even if it doesn’t look particularly tall when extended straight up. If you are unsure whether a machine you are operating meets or exceeds the threshold, check the manufacturer’s specifications or ask your employer before operating it.
For boom lifts with a boom length under 11 metres, an HRWL is not required. Operators of those machines require training nonetheless. Employers often require attainment of the RIIHAN301E qualification instead. You can read more about that in our article on scissor lift and EWP licensing in South Australia (link to be updated on publication).
Who Legally Needs This Licence?
Anyone who operates a boom-type EWP where the boom length is 11 metres or more in South Australia must hold a current HRWL. This applies regardless of industry, employer size, or how frequently the machine is used.
Boom lifts of this size are commonly used in:
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Construction — exterior building work, facade access, steel erection, and roofing at height
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Facilities management — maintenance on large commercial and industrial buildings
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Utilities and infrastructure — powerline work, telecommunications, and lighting structures
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Events and signage — installation and maintenance of large signage and structures
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Arboriculture — tree management near powerlines and in urban environments
Employers also have obligations here. A Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must not allow an unlicensed operator to use a boom lift over 11 metres. Doing so exposes both the operator and the business to serious legal and financial consequences under the WHS Act 2012 (SA).
How to Get Your Boom Lift HRWL in South Australia
The process involves four stages.
Stage 1: Complete TLILIC0005 training with a Registered Training Organisation
You enrol in and complete the TLILIC0005 course with an accredited RTO. Training covers the practical and theoretical skills required to plan the job, identify hazards, conduct pre-start checks, set up and operate the boom lift safely, and shut it down and secure it correctly.
Before enrolling you will need a valid Unique Student Identifier (USI). If you don’t have one you can create it at usi.gov.au. The minimum age for licensing is 18 years, and participants must be able to provide photo identification and have experience driving a motor vehicle.
Stage 2: Complete the HRWL assessment
Your accredited assessor, who must be affiliated with the RTO, will conduct both a written theory exam and a practical test under realistic workplace conditions. You will also be asked to sign a declaration confirming you are over 18 and have not previously been issued a licence for this class of work.
Note that the High Risk Work Licence assessment is a closed book assessment and must be completed individually.
If you are assessed as competent, your assessor will provide you with a Notice of Satisfactory Assessment and a Tax Invoice.
Stage 3: Lodge your application within 60 days
Take your Tax Invoice to a Service SA Customer Service Centre or an Australia Post Photopoint outlet in South Australia within 60 days of the date it was issued. This is where your licence application is formally lodged and your photo is taken for the card.
Your Notice of Satisfactory Assessment allows you to legally carry out boom lift work during this 60-day window, provided you have lodged your application within that period.
Stage 4: Receive your licence card
Your HRWL card is posted to you once your application is processed. SafeWork SA advises allowing up to six weeks for the card to arrive. In the meantime, keep your payment receipt as evidence that your licence application has been submitted. If you haven’t received your card within six weeks, contact SafeWork SA on 1300 365 255.
How Long Is the Licence Valid?
Your HRWL is valid for five years from the date of issue. SafeWork SA will send you a renewal reminder approximately 30 days before your expiry date, so it is important to keep your contact details current in the SafeWork SA High Risk Work portal.
Renewal is initiated online through the portal. If your licence has been expired for less than 12 months, you can renew it. If it has been expired for more than 12 months, you will need to undergo retraining before a new licence can be issued.
The licence is nationally recognised, meaning it is accepted in all states and territories. If you are working across state lines, your SA-issued HRWL remains valid.
Book TLILIC0005 Training with FQT in Adelaide
Forklift Quality Training (FQT) is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 45625) based at Wingfield in Adelaide. We deliver TLILIC0005 boom lift training at our Wingfield facility and onsite at your workplace across metropolitan Adelaide, regional SA, and the Northern Territory regional & metropolitan areas.
The course runs over two consecutive days (16 hours), starting at 8AM each day, and covers both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to pass the SafeWork SA assessment. No prior experience with boom lifts is required.
Course investment:
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$615.00 — full weekday course cost
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$175.00 — with CITB subsidy for eligible construction industry workers
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Price on enquiry — onsite delivery
TLILIC0005 can also be bundled with other High Risk Work Licence courses such as forklift (TLILIC0003) and order picker (TLILIC0004) at a discounted rate. Get in touch with our team for bundled pricing.
Book your boom lift training with FQT →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my HRWL cover scissor lifts as well? No. Your HRWL (TLILIC0005) only authorises you to operate boom-type EWPs with a boom length of 11 metres or more. To operate a scissor lift or a vertical lift, you need separate RIIHAN301E training. These are two different qualifications.
Is this licence the same as a Yellow Card? No. The Yellow Card is based on RIIHAN301E and covers EWPs that don’t require an HRWL, such as scissor lifts and vertical lifts. The boom lift HRWL (TLILIC0005) is a government-issued licence issued through SafeWork SA. They cover different machines and are issued through different bodies.
Can I operate a boom lift interstate with my SA licence? Yes. The HRWL is nationally recognised under the national high risk work licensing framework, so your SA-issued licence is accepted across all Australian states and territories.
What if I let my licence expire? You cannot legally operate a boom lift over 11 metres once your licence has expired. If it has been expired for less than 12 months you can renew it. If it has been expired for more than 12 months, full retraining is required before a new licence can be issued.
Do I need a USI to enrol? Yes. A Unique Student Identifier is required for all nationally recognised training. You can create one for free at usi.gov.au.
Summary
Operating a boom lift with a boom length of 11 metres or more in South Australia requires a High Risk Work Licence based on TLILIC0005. The process involves completing training with an accredited RTO, passing the SafeWork SA assessment, and lodging your application at Service SA or Australia Post within 60 days. The licence is valid for five years and recognised nationally.
If you’re ready to book or want to discuss your options, get in touch with FQT at forkliftqualitytraining.com or call 08 8244 4958.