A new financial year is a natural reset. New budgets, new projects, new hiring — and a good time to sort out where your skills sit before the work ramps up.
Adding a licence class, stepping up from dogging into rigging, or expanding the machinery you’re ticketed to run can open up more work and put you in front of better jobs. Nationally recognised training is one of the more practical ways to build on what you already hold.
At Saferight Training Academy, you can choose from nationally recognised, practical courses across high-risk work, rigging, cranes, earthmoving machinery, height safety, confined spaces and work health and safety.
Where Could Upskilling Take You This Year?
A new financial year is as good a time as any to look at where your skills sit and where they could go. For people working in mining, construction, logistics and industrial environments, training is one of the more reliable ways to widen the work you’re qualified to take on.
Depending on your existing experience and qualifications, your refund could help you:
- Add another high-risk work licence class
- Progress from dogging into rigging
- Expand the types of machinery you can operate
- Refresh existing practical skills
- Complete commonly requested site-safety training
- Prepare for supervisory or training responsibilities
- Build a broader collection of relevant industry skills
Training does not guarantee employment or increased earnings. However, completing relevant training can help you build your capabilities and demonstrate that you are continuing to develop professionally.
Every new financial year, the same thing plays out. Projects kick off, contractors staff up, and the blokes with the right tickets get the call first. Getting your training sorted early means you’re ready when the work is. This way you are not scrambling for a course date once the job’s already been offered to someone else.
Start With the Skills You Already Have
You may not need to begin an entirely new career pathway.
A useful place to start is by reviewing the qualifications, licences and units of competency you already hold. From there, you can identify training that logically builds on your existing knowledge.
Ask yourself:
- What tickets or qualifications do I currently hold?
- Which tasks do I already perform confidently?
- What additional skills are commonly required alongside them?
- Are there prerequisites for the course I want to complete?
- Which pathway best matches the work I want to pursue?
For example, someone who already holds a dogging high-risk work licence may consider progressing into basic rigging.
Example Training Pathway: Dogging to Basic Rigging
Dogging and rigging are closely connected, but they involve different responsibilities and licence classes.
A dogging course develops skills associated with selecting and inspecting lifting gear, slinging loads and directing crane operators when the load is outside the operator’s view.
Basic rigging builds on this foundation by introducing additional rigging work involving structures, hoists, precast concrete members, safety nets and perimeter safety screens within the scope of the relevant licence class.
A possible high-risk training pathway is: Dogging → Basic Rigging → Intermediate Rigging → Advanced Rigging
Step 1: Dogging
Dogging is commonly considered an entry point into lifting operations.
The training covers skills such as:
- Selecting suitable lifting equipment
- Inspecting lifting gear
- Applying appropriate slinging techniques
- Calculating or assessing loads
- Directing crane movements
- Communicating with crane operators
After gaining relevant experience, some workers choose to progress into rigging.
Step 2: Basic Rigging
Basic rigging expands the range of lifting and rigging activities a person may be licensed to undertake.
The course is suited to eligible participants who want to develop practical rigging skills and continue along the high-risk work pathway.
Dogging is generally a prerequisite for progressing to a basic rigging high-risk work licence. Participants should always check the current entry requirements before enrolling.
Step 3: Intermediate Rigging
Intermediate rigging builds on basic rigging and introduces more complex applications within the intermediate licence scope.
This may be a suitable next step for workers who have developed experience in basic rigging and want to continue expanding their capabilities.
Step 4: Advanced Rigging
Advanced rigging represents the next licence class in the rigging pathway.
It is intended for experienced and appropriately qualified riggers who want to undertake advanced work that falls within the relevant high-risk work licence scope.
Each licence class has prerequisites and eligibility requirements. Confirm these requirements with the Saferight team before booking your course.
Other Ways to Build on Your Existing Training
Dogging and rigging are only one example. Your next course should depend on the skills you already hold and the kind of work you want to perform.
Crane Training Pathways
If you already hold crane-related experience or qualifications, you may consider expanding into another crane class.
A possible pathway could include: Non-slewing mobile crane — CN → C2 → C6 → C0
The correct next step will depend on your existing high-risk work licence, experience and the type and capacity of crane you want to operate.
Earthmoving Machinery Training
Workers with experience operating one type of mobile plant may benefit from developing skills across additional machinery.
Training options may include:
- Excavator
- Wheel loader
- Skid steer loader
- Haul truck
- Water cart
- Roller
- Front-end loader
Building experience across multiple machines may help you become more adaptable across different work environments.
Forklift and Materials-Handling Skills
A forklift licence can also form part of a wider materials-handling pathway.
Depending on your role and workplace requirements, related training could include:
- Elevating work platform
- Telehandler
- Reach stacker
- Other mobile plant or materials-handling equipment
These courses have different purposes, prerequisites and licensing requirements. They should not be treated as interchangeable qualifications.
Site-Safety Training
You can also use your tax refund to build a collection of commonly requested site-safety skills.
Relevant courses may include:
- Work safely at heights
- Enter and work in confined spaces
- Gas test atmospheres
- Fire safety training
- Breathing apparatus
- First response or emergency-related training
The right combination will depend on your job, workplace and the environments in which you are expected to work.
Career Development and Supervision
Upskilling does not always mean learning to operate another machine.
Experienced workers may eventually want to move towards training, assessment, safety or supervisory responsibilities.
Possible development areas include:
- Training and assessment
- Statutory supervisor training
- Work health and safety
- Leadership and workplace communication
- Verification or assessment-related responsibilities
Before enrolling, consider whether the qualification matches the specific position or statutory responsibilities you are working towards.
How to Choose the Right Course
The most expensive or advanced course is not automatically the best option.
A beneficial training decision should connect your current skills with a realistic next step.
1. Review Your Existing Qualifications
Make a list of your current:
- High-risk work licence classes
- Statements of attainment
- Machinery tickets
- Site-safety qualifications
- Industry experience
Check whether any qualifications require renewal, refresher training or supporting evidence of current competency.
2. Look at the Roles You Want
Review the types of jobs or responsibilities you are interested in pursuing.
Take note of qualifications that appear consistently, but remember that job advertisements can sometimes list employer preferences rather than formal legal requirements.
3. Check Course Prerequisites
Some courses require an existing licence, qualification, level of experience or minimum age. Confirm all prerequisites before paying or booking travel and accommodation.
4. Speak With the Training Provider
When you are uncertain, speak with the Saferight team and explain:
- What qualifications you already hold
- Your current level of experience
- The work you currently perform
- The role or skill you want to pursue
- Any deadlines or site requirements you are working towards
This can help identify a more appropriate training pathway and prevent you from enrolling in a course that does not match your current eligibility.
Does Saferight offer any funding?
Cost shouldn’t be the thing that stops you upskilling. Saferight has Construction Training Fund (CTF) funding available on eligible courses, which can significantly reduce what you pay out of pocket.
Terms and conditions apply. To be eligible, you generally need to have work lined up to cover you for the next 12 months on an approved project within the construction industry. Eligibility is assessed per applicant, so it’s worth checking where you stand before you book.
Not sure if you qualify? Get in touch and the team can talk you through the criteria and whether your situation fits. Who knows, maybe you are eligible!
Build on What You Have Already Started
You may already be closer to your next qualification than you realise.
Whether you want to progress from dogging into basic rigging, expand your earthmoving skills, add another crane class or complete additional site-safety training, start by identifying the pathway that connects with your existing experience.
Saferight Training Academy delivers practical training with experienced trainers across its Perth training facilities.
Not sure which course comes next? – Contact the Saferight team to discuss your current qualifications and training options.
