Do I need a license to operate excavators and earthmovers?

So you’ve decided to pursue a career in the construction industry as an operator (and so you should, considering the industry boom and skill shortage happening right now!). However, you just don’t know where to start, and what licenses you should get.

The good news is, as a country, we have eliminated the need for earthmoving operators to obtain licenses for each separate machine they need to operate on site.

From January 2012, new national work health and safety legislation dictated that one does not need to obtain licenses to operate equipment that falls into the earthmoving or particular crane (EPC) machine classes. This includes the following commonly used machinery:

This means that no matter where you decide to work in the country, you don’t need to apply for formal licenses to be able to operate the earthmoving equipment listed above.

The responsibility of ensuring your competency and safety then falls on to the Person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) who will need to ensure you are well trained to handle situations on site, and be able to operate heavy equipment safely.

Although specific licenses accredited by the authorities are not required, most businesses will require some proof of competency, such as a certificate of competency from Registered Training Organisations (RTO) or evidence that you have been properly trained in earthmoving machinery operation prior.

Therefore, if you are completely inexperienced in this field, it is highly recommended that you obtain some training on your own before looking for a job in the industry. There are plenty of courses available that will arm you with a general understanding of the sector, works and hazards involved and basic machine operating skills.

There is a plethora of RTOs that provide courses to ensure you are ready for a career in the construction industry. Look for one near you via training.gov.au

Upon completion, students will obtain a statement of attainment or competency card that will verify that they have underwent training on operating heavy machinery.

Anyone wanting to work in the construction industry will have to obtain what is known as a ‘white card’, which one can get after completing an introductory safety training course.

It is the PCBU’s duty to ensure each and every single worker on site has a white card, and ensure that those who have done this training in the past but have not done any construction work for two consecutive years or more redo their white card training.

White card training basically sets participants up for work in the construction industry by teaching them how to recognise workplace hazards, how to carry out tasks safely, essential OHS legislation and requirements, risk management, introduction to personal protective equipment (PPE) and how to correctly and safely wear them and more.

According to SafeWork Australia, a white card issued in one state or territory or by the Commonwealth is recognised Australia wide.

White card training can be done in a day face-to-face or even online. As at April 4, 2023, three states - Tasmania, Western Australia and New South Wales - allow white card training to be done online or remotely. NSW has appproved a 'connected delivery' white card virtual training which allows participants to attend training via Zoom in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, if you reside in other states, you need to attend face-to-face training in order to obtain your white card.

It is useful to add that while licenses to operate earthmoving machinery is technically not required, you may need to apply for licenses for work you intend to do with the machines. In New South Wales, for example, you need to apply for a license to do any residential building work, including excavating, that is valued at more than $5000 (incl GST) in labour and materials.

While operating earthmoving equipment for earthwork is no longer deemed ‘high risk’ by the Federal Government, there are certain types of work involving heavy machinery that still requires formal certification, known as a ‘high risk work license’.

These works include:

Training and licenses can be obtained via RTOs nationwide. Generally, if you have obtained a high risk work licence in one state in Australia, you will be able to do high risk work in other areas.