If you’re working at height in Australia and trying to figure out which ticket to get or which machine suits your job, you’re not alone. Scissor lifts, vertical lifts and boom lifts are all classed as Elevated Work Platforms (EWPs), they’re both found on worksites across South Australia every day, and they’re genuinely different pieces of equipment designed for different situations.
This guide breaks down exactly what each machine does, where each one shines, what training and certification you need to operate them in South Australia, and how to figure out which one is right for you.
What Is a Scissor Lift?
A scissor lift is an EWP that raises a work platform straight up and down using a set of linked, folding supports in a criss-cross pattern. That mechanism is what gives the machine its name. When the supports extend, the platform rises vertically. When they retract, the platform lowers.
That’s it. Scissor lifts move in one direction: up and down. There’s no horizontal reach, no articulating arm, no swinging out over obstacles. What they trade in flexibility they make up for in stability and platform size. Scissor lifts typically carry more weight and offer a much larger working deck than boom lifts, which makes them well suited to jobs where you need multiple workers or a lot of tools at height.
Scissor lifts are commonly used for:
- Warehouse stock management and high-bay picking
- Interior fit-outs, ceiling installation and electrical work
- Maintenance and lighting replacement in factories, shopping centres and schools
- Painting and plastering at height on flat indoor surfaces
- Construction on stable, level ground
Common power types:
- Electric (most common indoors, quiet, zero emissions, suited to enclosed spaces)
- Diesel or rough terrain (suited to outdoor sites with uneven ground)
What Is a Vertical Lift?
A vertical lift is a compact, single-person EWP designed for low-to-mid height access in tight or confined indoor spaces. Unlike a scissor lift, which uses a criss-cross folding mechanism, a vertical lift uses a fixed mast to raise the operator straight up. The platform and base footprint are much smaller, making vertical lifts well suited to narrow aisles, stock rooms, and maintenance tasks where a scissor lift simply won’t fit.
Vertical lifts are electric-powered, quiet, and produce zero emissions, which makes them a natural fit for warehouses, retail environments, schools, and hospitals. Working heights typically range from around 4 metres up to 12 metres depending on the model, with a load capacity suited to a single operator and their tools.
Vertical lifts are commonly used for:
- Stock picking and inventory management in narrow-aisle warehouses
- Light maintenance, changing globes and checking equipment at height indoors
- Retail fit-outs and display work in confined commercial spaces
- Schools, hospitals and aged care facilities where a quieter, smaller machine is required
- Any indoor environment where a scissor lift is too wide or too heavy for the floor loading
Power type:
- Electric only (battery-powered, zero emissions, suitable for food-grade and sensitive indoor environments)
What Is a Boom Lift?
A boom lift is an EWP that uses a hydraulic arm, the boom, to extend both vertically and horizontally. This is the defining difference from a scissor lift. A boom lift can reach out and over obstacles, access areas that aren’t directly above the base of the machine, and position workers at angles that a scissor lift simply can’t achieve.
There are two main types of boom lifts.
Telescopic boom lifts (also called straight booms or stick booms) use a single extending arm for maximum vertical reach. These are the highest-reaching EWPs available, with some models reaching well over 40 metres.
Articulating boom lifts (also called knuckle booms) use multiple hinged sections that can bend around obstacles. They’re more manoeuvrable than telescopic models and are suited to complex sites where direct overhead access isn’t possible.
Boom lifts are commonly used for:
- Exterior building maintenance, facade work and painting
- Construction at significant height, including steel erection, roofing and cladding
- Signage installation and maintenance
- Tree trimming and powerline work
- Any job requiring horizontal outreach or access over an obstacle
Common power types:
- Electric (quieter, suitable for indoor use where height permits)
- Diesel (outdoor construction and rough terrain)
Key Differences at a Glance
|
Scissor Lift |
Vertical Lift |
Boom Lift |
|
| Movement | Vertical only | Vertical only (fixed mast) | Vertical and horizontal |
| Typical working height | Up to around 20m | Up to around 12m | Up to 40m+ |
| Platform size | Large, suits multiple workers | Very compact, single person | Smaller, typically one to two people |
| Load capacity | Generally higher | Lower (single operator) | Generally lower |
| Best environment | Flat, stable indoor surfaces | Indoor, flat surfaces, tight or narrow spaces | Outdoor, uneven terrain, complex access |
| Reaches over obstacles | No | No | Yes |
| Harness required | Not normally, check your site requirements | Not normally, check site requirements | Yes, always |
The Training and Licensing Question. This Is Where It Gets Important.
In Australia, the certification you need to operate an EWP depends on the type of machine and its height capacity. This is where a lot of people get confused, so it’s worth being clear. For a broader overview of how High Risk Work Licences are structured in Australia, see our guide to High Risk Work Licence categories.
EWPs Under 11 Metres: RIIHAN301E and the Yellow Card
For scissor lifts and vertical lifts of any height, and for boom lifts with a boom length under 11 metres, the nationally recognised qualification is RIIHAN301E Operate Elevating Work Platform. This is the unit of competency required to demonstrate that an operator has been properly trained.
Two things can come out of completing this unit, depending on your training provider.
A Statement of Attainment for RIIHAN301E Operate Elevating Work Platform, issued by the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that delivers your course. This is the nationally recognised qualification and the legal evidence of training that employers and worksites are required to sight.
A Yellow Card, is issued by the Registered Training Organisation (such as Forklift Quality Training). This is an industry credential card that links to an individuals attainment of RIIHAN301E Operate a Elevating Work Platform and is widely recognised by principal contractors. The RIIHAN301E qualification has no expiry and as such Forklift Quality Training do not set an expiry date on the yellow card issued to you. Other providers may set an expiry on their card, though this is not a requirement.
FQT’s one-day scissor and boom lift course covers both machine types under 11 metres. Successful participants receive a Statement of Attainment for RIIHAN301E Operate a Elevated Work Platform and a yellow competency card issued by FQT.
Vertical lifts are also covered under RIIHAN301E, sitting within the same qualification framework as scissor and boom lifts under 11 metres. Because they are a distinct machine type, FQT offers a dedicated vertical lift training course for operators who specifically need this qualification. It is delivered as a separate one-day course or can be combined with other plant on the same day such as scissor lifts or boom lifts. For onsite group booking services a combination of all three (scissor lifts, boom lifts and vertical lifts) can also be arranged. Communicate which of the three (or combination thereof) that you need and FQT can provide you the best available dates to achieve this as well as discounted pricing. Vertical lift training results in the same Statement of Attainment for RIIHAN301E Operate Elevating Work Platform.
Boom Lifts 11 Metres and Over: High Risk Work Licence (TLILIC0005)
If the boom lift you’re operating has a boom length of 11 metres or more, RIIHAN301E is not enough. You will need a High Risk Work Licence (HRWL) issued by SafeWork SA, obtained by completing the nationally recognised unit TLILIC0005 Licence to Operate a Boom-Type Elevating Work Platform (Boom Length 11 Metres or More).
This is a government-issued licence, similar to a forklift HRWL, and it is a legal requirement under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA). Importantly, the 11-metre rule applies to the machine’s capacity, not how high you actually raise it on a given day. If the machine can go over 11 metres, you need the HRWL. Even if you never extend it that far on a particular job.
FQT offers the TLILIC0005 Licence to Operate a Boom-Type Elevating Work Platform (Boom Length 11 Metres or More) course at our Wingfield facility for operators who need to work on larger boom lifts. We provide this qualification in different durations depending on your existing knowledge and skill levels and can offer it to metropolitan and regional locations.
Quick Reference: Which Qualification Do You Need?
|
Equipment |
Qualification Required |
| Scissor lift (any height) | RIIHAN301E Operate a Elevating Work Platform, Statement of Attainment (and yellow competency card) |
| Boom lift under 11m | RIIHAN301E Operate a Elevating Work Platform, Statement of Attainment (and yellow competency card) |
| Boom lift 11m or over | TLILIC0005 Licence to Operate a Boom-Type Elevating Work Platform (Boom Length 11 Metres or More), High Risk Work Licence |
So Which One Do You Actually Need?
Here’s a straightforward way to work through the decision.
Choose a scissor lift if:
- You need stable vertical access on a flat or level surface
- Your work is directly above you with no need to reach over anything
- You’re working indoors in a warehouse, factory or commercial building
- You need to carry multiple workers or a significant amount of tools and materials at height
- Budget is a consideration, as scissor lifts are generally cheaper to hire and train on
Choose a vertical lift if:
- You need access at height in a narrow aisle, confined space or tight indoor environment
- A scissor lift is too large or too heavy for the floor or space you’re working in
- You’re working at lower heights (typically under 12 metres) in a warehouse, retail or maintenance setting
- Only one operator is needed and you don’t require a large platform or multiple workers at height
- The work is directly above you and the machine needs to be repositioned easily without disrupting foot traffic
Choose a boom lift if:
- You need to reach over, under or around an obstacle
- Your worksite is outdoors or on uneven ground
- You need to access areas that aren’t directly above the base of the machine
- The height required exceeds what a scissor lift can achieve
- You’re working on a construction site, building exterior or high facade
Not sure? A good rule of thumb used across the industry is this: if the work is straight up, use a scissor lift. If the work requires you to go up and out, use a boom lift.
Do I Need Multiple Tickets?
If you work in construction, maintenance, logistics or any industry where these machine types appear regularly, having qualifications across more than one EWP type makes you significantly more employable and flexible on site. That applies whether you’re adding a scissor lift ticket, a vertical lift qualification, a boom lift under 11m, or the TLILIC0005 for larger boom lifts.
FQT’s one-day course covers both scissor lifts and boom lifts under 11 metres in a single session, so you can get both tickets in one day. Alternatively we also run a one-day course that covers both vertical lifts and boom lifts under 11 metres in a single session, so you can get both tickets in one day if you need this combination instead. If you also need the TLILIC0005 for larger boom lifts, that can be added as a separate course. You can view FQT’s full range of Elevated Work Platform training options to see everything available.
Can You Bundle EWP Training Costs With Your Forklift Licence?
Yes. And for anyone entering the workforce or changing careers, bundling multiple licences or qualifications is one of the smartest things you can do. A forklift licence (TLILIC0003) combined with EWP training (RIIHAN301E) or boom lift licence (TLILIC0005) covers some of the most commonly required tickets in Adelaide’s warehousing, logistics and construction sectors. For a full breakdown of what forklift training in Adelaide involves, see our complete guide to forklift training in Adelaide.
FQT offers both courses and can advise on the best training pathway depending on your industry and goals.
Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Short Course Subsidy Funding
Eligible workers in the construction industry may be able to access CITB subsidies for their training, up to $3,000 per year for eligible individuals with a valid CITB number. CITB subsidy rules and reset periods are reviewed regularly, so it’s worth contacting CITB directly or asking the FQT team to confirm current eligibility before booking. For a full breakdown of forklift and EWP training costs in SA, see our guide on how much a forklift licence costs in Adelaide in 2026. The CITB subsidies extend to group training funding including travel related expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a scissor lift or vertical lift harder to operate than a boom lift? Most operators find scissor lifts or vertical lifts more straightforward, largely because the movement is limited to vertical. Boom lifts require more spatial awareness due to horizontal and articulated reach, particularly when working around obstacles. Both require proper training before operating on a worksite.
Do I need a harness in a scissor lift? This depends on your site requirements and the specific task. Many scissor lift operations don’t require a harness if the platform guardrails are in use and you’re not leaning beyond them, but your employer’s site rules and specific risk assessment take precedence. For boom lifts, a full body harness attached to the platform is standard practice at all times.
Can I operate a scissor lift with just my forklift licence? No. A forklift HRWL (TLILIC0003) covers forklift operation only. Scissor lifts require separate EWP training through RIIHAN301E. They are different machines with different operating principles and different risk profiles. If you’re looking to get your forklift licence alongside your EWP ticket, you can read about FQT’s forklift training courses to plan your pathway.
How long does EWP training take? FQT’s scissor lift and boom lift course is delivered in a single day (eight hours). It covers either single or multiple machine types under 11 metres, and participants who complete the course successfully receive a Statement of Attainment for RIIHAN301E along with FQT’s yellow competency card.
Is the Yellow Card nationally recognised? Yes. The RIIHAN301E unit of competency is nationally recognised across Australia. The Statement of Attainment issued by your RTO upon completion is the legal evidence of training, and the yellow competency card you receive. issued by your RTO, is accepted by employers on worksites throughout the country.
What about vertical lifts? Vertical lifts are a third type of EWP. They’re compact, lightweight machines used primarily for indoor maintenance and stock picking. They are also covered under RIIHAN301E. FQT offers a separate vertical lift training course for operators who need this specific qualification.
Does my EWP ticket expire? This depends on which organisation issued your credentials that you hold. The Statement of Attainment for RIIHAN301E does not carry a set expiry date. Some other registered training organisations and associations issue yellow cards with expiry dates, this is not a requirement however they may choose to do so in an effort to ensure you maintain your training over time. Regardless of which you hold, employers may often require a current Verification of Competency (VOC) before allowing operators onto their site or equipment. If you’ve been away from EWP operation for a period of time, or are starting with a new employer, a refresher or VOC with FQT is the fastest way to get back up to speed and demonstrate current competency.
Book Your EWP Training in Adelaide
Forklift Quality Training (FQT) is a SafeWork SA-accredited RTO based at Wingfield, South Australia, with over 35 years of experience delivering plant operations training. We offer:
- Scissor Lift and Boom Lift (under 11m), one-day RIIHAN301E course
- Boom Lift (11m and over), TLILIC0005 High Risk Work Licence course
- Vertical Lift, one-day RIIHAN301E course
- On-site delivery, we come to your workplace across metropolitan Adelaide, regional SA and the Northern Territory
CITB subsidies are available for eligible construction industry workers. Get in touch with FQT to find out which course is right for you and to check your CITB eligibility before booking.