Non-Slewing Telehandler (over 3 tonnes) TV Licence Course – 3 days – Dandenong South

The TV licence is a WorkSafe High Risk Work Licence (HRWL) that legally authorises the holder to operate a non-slewing telehandler with a rated capacity greater than 3 tonnes. Under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, a TV licence is required before anyone operates this class of telehandler on an Australian worksite. Without it, both the operator and the employer are in breach of their WHS obligations.

The accredited course behind the TV licence is 11249NAT Course in Licensing for Non-Slewing Telehandler Operations with a Rated Capacity Over 3 Tonnes. This course includes the unit of competency NAT11249001 Licence to operate a non-slewing telehandler (with a rated capacity greater than 3 tonnes). Both the training competency (including unit of competency assessments) and the WorkSafe licence assessment must be completed before your TV licence is issued by WorkSafe Victoria.

If you already hold a Mobile Crane HRWL, you do not need the new non-slewing telehandler licence.

This applies if you hold:

• CN – Non-slewing mobile crane
• C2 – Slewing mobile crane up to 20 tonnes
• C6 – Slewing mobile crane up to 60 tonnes
• C1 – Slewing mobile crane up to 100 tonnes
• C0 – Slewing mobile crane over 100 tonnes

You can still undertake the new non-slewing telehandler training if you want additional telehandler-specific safety and operational knowledge.

Important: The new non-slewing telehandler licence only allows operation of a non-slewing telehandler. It does not allow operation of a non-slewing mobile crane or a slewing telehandler.

What the TV licence covers:

The TV licence authorises the operation of non-slewing telehandlers with a rated capacity greater than 3 tonnes, including the use of attachments such as forks, jibs, and buckets in construction, civil, mining, agriculture, and industrial environments.

What the TV licence does not cover:

The TV licence does not cover forklifts, cranes, or any other plant types, each requiring a separate licence class. If you need to operate a telehandler with a rated capacity of 3 tonnes or less, a TV licence is not required, but you should consider the TSHA Gold Card training program, which we also offer. Talk to us if you are unsure which course applies to your situation.

Yes: if you are operating a non-slewing telehandler with a rated capacity over 3 tonnes on a Victorian worksite, a WorkSafe TV High Risk Work Licence or a Mobile Crane HRWL is a legal requirement under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) and associated regulations.

Operating a telehandler over 3 tonnes without a valid TV licence exposes both the operator and the employer to significant legal liability. Employers have a duty under OHS legislation to ensure that only licensed operators use high-risk plant on their sites.

If you are operating a telehandler with a rated capacity of 3 tonnes or less, a High Risk Work Licence is not required. However, your employer still has a legal duty of care to ensure you have received appropriate training and instruction. The TSHA Gold Card is the industry-recognised method of demonstrating that competency for operators of telehandlers up to 3 tonnes.

Our telehandler course in Melbourne is delivered over 3 days at our Dandenong South training facility, located at 16 Kitchen Road, Dandenong South VIC 3175, accessible from across Melbourne’s south-east and greater metropolitan area.

The course combines mandatory pre-study and homework completed before your first day on-site, with 3 full days of face-to-face, hands-on practical training. You will operate real telehandler equipment in a purpose-built training environment that replicates live site conditions. Our trainers are experienced plant operators and workplace trainers who bring practical, real-world knowledge to every session.

Talk to us if the standard 3-day format doesn’t suit you, with weekend delivery available on request.

Upon successful completion of the unit of competency and the WorkSafe licence assessment, you’ll receive a Notice of Assessment (NOA). You then use this to apply for your TV licence through the MyWorkSafe portal or at any Australia Post outlet.

Course snapshot:

• Course: 11249NAT Course in Licensing for Non-Slewing Telehandler Operations with a Rated Capacity Over 3 Tonnes
• Unit: NAT11249001  Licence to operate a non-slewing telehandler (with a rated capacity greater than 3 tonnes)
• Licence class: TV – Non-slewing telehandler (over 3 tonnes)
• Duration: 3 days (includes pre-study and home work prior to attending the face to face course component)
• Location: 16 Kitchen Road, Dandenong South VIC 3175 or onsite
• Delivery: Pre-study + Face-to-face, hands-on practical training and assessment
• Prerequisites: No prior plant experience required
• RTO: Go Workplace Training (RTO 22464)
• Outcome: Statement of Attainment for the accredited course + WorkSafe High Risk Work Licence (TV)

Our telehandler course in Melbourne is suited to a wide range of workers, from complete beginners to experienced plant operators who need to formalise their skills with a WorkSafe-approved licence.

This course is ideal for:

• Construction site workers who operate or are required to operate telehandlers over 3 tonnes
• Civil and infrastructure workers using telehandlers for lifting and material placement on site
• Agriculture and farming workers who operate heavy telehandlers for grain handling, bale work, and material movement
• Warehouse, logistics, and supply chain workers using telehandlers over 3 tonnes for yard or load operations
• Mining and resources workers who require a TV licence as a condition of site access or employment
• Business owners and site managers ensuring their team holds the correct plant licences

The TV licence is required across a broad range of industries in Victoria. As telehandlers become more common on construction, civil, and agricultural worksites, employer demand for TV-licensed operators has grown significantly. Completing your telehandler training in Melbourne positions you for plant operator roles across multiple industries.

A telehandler, also known as a telescopic handler or telescopic materials handler, is a versatile piece of plant equipment featuring an extendable boom that can be fitted with a range of attachments. Unlike a forklift, a telehandler can reach forward and upward, making it highly useful for lifting and placing materials at height or in locations that other plant types cannot access.

A non-slewing telehandler is a telehandler that does not have a rotating upper structure, so the boom extends in a fixed direction relative to the chassis. The TV licence specifically covers non-slewing telehandlers with a rated capacity over 3 tonnes.

Telehandlers are used to:

• Lift and place palletised materials, building products, and supplies at height
• Move and stack bulk materials using fork arms or an earthmoving bucket
• Lift and position structural elements on construction sites using a crane jib attachment
• Transport heavy loads across uneven site terrain
• Support agricultural operations including grain and silage handling, bale movement, and livestock feeding
• Load and unload heavy goods vehicles in logistics and yard environments

Common attachments used with telehandlers include:

• Fork arms: for palletised and loose loads
• Crane jib: for single-point lifting of loads not suited to forks
• Earthmoving bucket: for bulk material handling
• Work platforms: for elevated access (note: work platform use may require additional competency)
• Specialist attachments such as bale grabs, sweepers, concrete skips, and others

Understanding load charts, rated capacity, and attachment load centre principles is a core part of the TV licence course, ensuring operators can select the correct configuration for every task.

Our telehandler course in Melbourne covers all competencies required to safely plan, prepare for, and operate a non-slewing telehandler over 3 tonnes as specified in the 11249NAT Course in Licensing for Non-Slewing Telehandler Operations with a Rated Capacity Over 3 Tonnes and WorkSafe’s TV licence assessment standards.

Course topics include:

• Planning and preparing for non-slewing telehandler operations, including site assessment and job planning
• Checking the work area, terrain, and ground conditions before operating
• Understanding load charts, rated capacity, and load centre principles for safe lifting
• Identifying hazards in the work area and implementing appropriate risk controls
• Conducting pre-start and operational safety checks on the telehandler
• Selecting, fitting, removing, and correctly using different attachments
• Operating the telehandler for lifting, carrying, and placing various load types
• Manoeuvring the telehandler safely in varied site conditions, including inclines, uneven ground, and confined spaces
• Parking, shutting down, and securing the telehandler at the end of operations
• Using communication methods including hand signals and two-way radios
• Following WHS/OHS legislative requirements and WorkSafe Victoria regulatory standards
• Responding to problems and unsafe situations during operations

By the end of the course (at the successful completion of the course requirements, including assessments), you will have the practical skills and knowledge to operate a non-slewing telehandler over 3 tonnes safely across a range of worksite environments, and the course completion documents required  to apply for your WorkSafe TV High Risk Work Licence.

The key difference is the rated capacity of the telehandler you are operating:

• Telehandler over 3 tonnes rated capacity: A WorkSafe TV High Risk Work Licence is legally required. You must complete the 11249NAT Course in Licensing for Non-Slewing Telehandler Operations with a Rated Capacity Over 3 Tonnes and the WorkSafe licence assessment. This is the course described on this page.
• Telehandler up to 3 tonnes rated capacity: No High Risk Work Licence is required. However, your employer must ensure you have been appropriately trained. The TSHA Gold Card is the industry-recognised training program for operators of telehandlers up to 3 tonnes. Go Workplace Training also offers the Gold Card course.

If you are unsure of the rated capacity of the telehandler you need to operate, check the manufacturer’s data plate on the machine or speak with your employer. Choosing the wrong course is a common mistake, so contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.

When it comes to getting your telehandler licence in Melbourne, the quality of your training provider matters. Go Workplace Training has been delivering WorkSafe-approved high-risk work licence training for over 20 years. We are one of Victoria’s most experienced RTOs in this space.

What sets us apart:

• WorkSafe-approved: our TV licence course is accredited and approved by WorkSafe Victoria
• Nationally accredited: the 11249NAT Course in Licensing for Non-Slewing Telehandler Operations with a Rated Capacity Over 3 Tonnes and your TV licence are valid across Australia
• No prior experience required, the course is open to beginners and experienced operators alike
• Hands-on training: you operate real telehandler equipment, not a simulator
• Dedicated facilities: our Dandenong South site includes purpose-built plant training equipment in a controlled environment
• We also deliver the Gold Card: if you or your team need training for telehandlers under 3 tonnes, we run the TSHA Gold Card course from the same facility
• Experienced trainers: our instructors bring real-world plant operation experience to every session
• Flexible scheduling: weekend delivery may be available on request

Whether you’re an individual needing your TV licence or a business putting a team through telehandler training in Melbourne, we’re equipped to help.