Get Hands-on with Industry Leading 8 Cranes on Site
A simple guide before you choose your licence.
Australia recognises several crane types for High Risk Work Licensing. Each type has unique capabilities, typical work environments, and different licence classes. Below is a friendly overview to help students understand the main categories before diving into the actual course list.
Quick explainer
If the crane can rotate while the upper structure lifts and moves a load, it is slewing. These are some of the most versatile cranes in Australia and are often seen in shutdowns, bridge work, tilt ups and large precast lifts.
What they are
Slewing mobile cranes are vehicle-mounted cranes that can rotate a full 360 degrees. They handle heavy lifts across civil, construction, resources, shutdowns and infrastructure work. These licences progress by maximum rated capacity.
What they are
A non slewing mobile crane travels on wheels, but the upper structure does not rotate. Steering is usually done by articulated chassis steering or front wheel steering.
How it differs from slewing
The main difference is rotation. A non slewing crane does not rotate, so the operator must position the whole machine to line up the load path. This changes how you plan and execute a lift.
Where it overlaps with plant
Some non slewing plant can feel similar to equipment like
• Telehandlers
• Integrated tool carriers
• Reach stackers
These machines do not always require a crane licence unless they are fitted with a crane jib or their lifting capacity exceeds 3 tonnes. This is a strong area for student confusion and a clear cross over point with our telehandler and integrated tool carrier courses.
Typical types
• Franna style pick and carry cranes that do not slew
• Tractor mounted cranes
• Davit style mobile lifting units
Licence class
• CN Non slewing mobile crane
What they are
Tower cranes are the tall fixed cranes you see on high rise and large commercial builds. They lift heavy loads to serious heights and are usually planned weeks ahead using lift studies and engineered setups.
Quick explainer
A tower crane operator works from a cabin or uses a remote, depending on the model. Self erecting tower cranes fold out hydraulically and are perfect for tight sites or shorter builds. Both require high levels of signalling, communication and lift planning knowledge.
What they are
Vehicle loading cranes are the truck mounted folding cranes you often see delivering building materials, steel, bricks or equipment. They unfold hydraulically from the truck tray and are designed for loading and unloading freight.
When a licence is required
A CV licence is required when the crane has a capacity of more than 10 metre tonnes. Many smaller service cranes fall below this threshold and do not require a HRWL.
Typical types
• Hiab style folding cranes
• Knuckle boom cranes
• Service truck cranes
Licence class
• CV Licence to operate a vehicle loading crane over 10 metre tonnes
What they are
These cranes run on runways fixed to the building structure. They move loads across factories, workshops, engineering sheds and distribution centres.
Quick explainer
Although they are not mobile cranes, they are still high risk due to suspended loads moving overhead. Operators must control load swing, stability and pedestrian separation inside confined spaces.
Typical types
• Single or double girder gantry cranes
• Portal and semi portal gantry cranes
• Pendant or remote controlled workshop cranes
Licence class
• CB Licence to operate a vehicle loading crane over 10 metre tonnes
Licence Requirements
A CB licence is only required when the crane
is a bridge or gantry crane
AND has a permanent cabin or travelling control station used to direct the crane.
If the operator uses a pendant, wireless remote, or fixed panel, a CB licence is not required.
Training
Please note that although On the Job Training has this course on scope, we do not have a compliant crane and would require access to one for training and licensing assessment by prior arrangement.
At On The Job Training, we’re on a mission to create a safer industry — both on the ground and in the sky. We’re proud to be the only Registered Training Organisation in Australia with both a Tower Crane and a Self-Erecting Tower Crane available for hands-on training, with the option to study both alongside each other.
This gives our students a unique edge: real-world experience with the machines they’re most likely to encounter in the field.
A crane ticket like the C6 licence covers a wide variety of crane types, from slew to non-slew. But here’s the truth: operating a 14T Franna pick-and-carry is vastly different from a 7T city crane.
While many RTOs meet only the bare minimum, training on a single crane, we offer access to our entire crane fleet, including multiple classes and real worksite scenarios.
Our goal? To make sure you leave confident, competent, and safety-focused.
*SEEK data, Nov 2025
^Blended learning at OTJT means you knock over your theory online before you arrive, so your time on site is all about getting hands-on and building the skills you need. Optional pre-course learning lets you access your training materials early, along with extra support resources like videos, podcasts and step-by-step tutorials so you can get ahead, but it isn’t compulsory.
Small Training Provider of the Year
Small Training Provider of the Year
for eligible QLD construction workers.
plus live-machine practice—real skills, real fun.
means personalised coaching.
with all plant operator courses scheduled on Thursdays & Fridays.
industry standard earthmoving machine plant, in addition to 2 forklifts & 2 EWPs.
midway Brisbane ↔ Gold Coast—easy access.
access to online course materials as soon as you enrol.
need to train up the team? Send them down or we’ll come to you.
split your training across days or nights, even multiple weeks.
face-to-face and e-learning elements available.
Introducing our bespoke VR Training Software, designed on our 101 tonne crawler crane and based our training yard! Master controlling a load and catching swing in the safety of VR, developed by @Black6Labs who responsible for creating
🌐 Maximise operating hours: Practice in a real-life AND a virtual environment
🏗 Available for all students enrolling in crane courses exclusive to On the Job Training.
We recently took delivery of this brand new XCMG XC25 slewing crane which is the key crane for this C6 crane ticket course. Check it out on this video.
We’re proud to have trained thousands of students over the years — and grateful for the trust they’ve placed in us. Here’s what just a few of them had to say:
Request a chat with our friendly
team to inquire about your study options.
