Is there a national heights licence?

No. Unlike forklift or crane work there is no High Risk Work Licence for heights. The register says licensing and certification requirements vary between states, territories and industry sectors, and directs you to check with the relevant body.

The statement of attainment does not. Many employers and principal contractors set their own refresh cycle, commonly two years - ask the site, not the provider.

No. Assessment must occur in the sector's work environment, or in a realistic simulation where safety would otherwise prevent it. There is always a practical component.

Where is this unit used?

It sits in 37 current qualifications across civil construction, mining, arboriculture, telecommunications, utilities and automotive. Holding it credits toward all of them.

Is it the same as confined spaces?

No. RIIWHS202E Enter and work in confined spaces is a separate unit, often held alongside it.

RIIWHS204E Work safely at heights

This unit has been superseded

RIIWHS204E was current from 23 September 2020 to 1 September 2026. New enrolments go to the version below.

CURRENT VERSION · RELEASED 2 SEPTEMBER 2026

RIIWHS204 Work safely at heights

Same title and the same unit, recoded in the September 2026 release of the RII training package — the trailing letter was dropped. The national register flags RIIWHS204 as equivalent to RIIWHS204E.

View RIIWHS204

About this qualification

RIIWHS204E covers working safely at heights in the resources and infrastructure industries. The register places it with “those working in operational roles” who “generally work under supervision to undertake a prescribed range of functions involving known routines and procedures”.

822 providers deliver it, and it sits inside 37 current qualifications — civil, mining, arboriculture, telecommunications, utilities. It travels further than most tickets.

Licensing varies and the register says so. “Licensing, legislative and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories and industry sectors. Users must check requirements with relevant body before applying the unit.” There is no national heights licence.

Assessment must happen in the sector's own work environment, against that sector's legislation and procedures. A simulated environment is allowed only where personal safety or environmental damage would otherwise be limiting factors.

Roles it maps to

What the unit covers, per the national register.

Working at Heights Fall Protection Civil and Mining Operations Utilities

Commonly held together

Heights rarely travels alone. These are the tickets most often held alongside it on construction, civil and resources sites.

Single unit · site accessCPCWHS1001 White Card — site entry
Single unit · you are hereRIIWHS204E Work safely at heights
Single unit · common pairingRIIWHS202E Enter and work in confined spaces
Single unit · most sites want oneHLTAID011 Provide First Aid
Licence unit · high risk work licenceTLILIC0003 Licence to operate a forklift truck
Certificate III · where it leadsRII30920 Civil Construction

What it covers

4Core Elements

0Elective Electives

A single unit of competency. Assessment must include access to personal protective equipment, equipment related to working safely at heights and relevant documentation; be conducted in a safe environment; be assessed in the context of the sector's work environment and in compliance with its legislation and procedures; and confirm consistent performance across a range of workplace circumstances. Simulated environments are permitted only where personal safety or environmental damage would otherwise be limiting factors.

The four elements of the unit.

Element 1 Identify work requirements
Element 2 Prepare for work at heights
Element 3 Work safely at heights
Element 4 Clean up and finalise work

For a full list of elective units, visit training.gov.au →

Frequently asked questions

Is there a national heights licence?: No. Unlike forklift or crane work there is no High Risk Work Licence for heights. The register says licensing and certification requirements vary between states, territories and industry sectors, and directs you to check with the relevant body.
Does it expire?: The statement of attainment does not. Many employers and principal contractors set their own refresh cycle, commonly two years — ask the site, not the provider.
Can I do it online?: No. Assessment must occur in the sector's work environment, or in a realistic simulation where safety would otherwise prevent it. There is always a practical component.
Where is this unit used?: It sits in 37 current qualifications across civil construction, mining, arboriculture, telecommunications, utilities and automotive. Holding it credits toward all of them.
Is it the same as confined spaces?: No. RIIWHS202E Enter and work in confined spaces is a separate unit, often held alongside it.

Other registered providers

Filtered by where each provider is based, not where they can deliver.

QLD

MinRes Training InstituteRTO 40727

Deliver and assess · QLD
NSW

TAFE NSWRTO 90003

Deliver and assess · NSW
QLD

TAFE QueenslandRTO 0275

Deliver and assess · QLD
WA

North Metropolitan TAFERTO 52786

Deliver and assess · WA
QLD

Halo Nation TrainingRTO 32485

Deliver and assess · National
WA

Skills Strategies InternationalRTO 2401

Deliver and assess · WA
VIC

The Management EdgeRTO 3927

Deliver and assess · National
QLD

Civil SafetyRTO 32381

Deliver and assess · QLD
QLD

AshtrailRTO 6139

Deliver and assess · QLD
NSW

Joblink PlusRTO 91434

Deliver and assess · NSW
QLD

Intech Institute of Technology Pty LtdRTO 30100

Deliver and assess · QLD
QLD

Axial TrainingRTO 2437

Deliver and assess · National
Find more providers

12 of 822 providers shown — search the register for the rest
training.gov.au →

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