Doggers and riggers play an important role in keeping crane lifts on mining, oil and gas, and construction sites across Perth moving safely. If you’d like to become one, you’ll need to obtain your dogging or rigging licence before joining these crews.
At Civil Safety (RTO 32381) we deliver every dogging and rigging course you’ll need at our training facility in Welshpool. This guide walks you through each ticket in the order you need to get them, from your first dogging course to advanced rigging.
What do doggers and riggers do?
A dogger, also called a dogman, prepares loads for the crane and guides them into place. Doggers select and inspect the lifting gear before they sling a load, judging its weight and centre of gravity to choose the right slinging method. They then direct the crane operator with hand signals or radio any time the load moves out of the operator’s view.
Some simple lifts don’t need a licensed dogger at all. A worker can attach a load without a dogging licence if the slinging method has already been worked out for them and the crane operator can see the load the entire time.
Riggers can do everything a dogger does because a rigging licence covers dogging work as well. The main difference between dogging and rigging is that riggers install and dismantle the structures and equipment a crane job needs, starting with structural steel and safety nets at the basic level and moving up to suspended scaffolds at the advanced level.
Do you need a licence for dogging and rigging in WA?
Yes. You’ll need a High Risk Work Licence from WorkSafe WA before you can perform dogging or rigging work in Western Australia. You’ll qualify to apply for one once you complete the training and assessment in a nationally recognised course like our Licence to Perform Dogging (CPCCLDG3001). Each rigging level works the same way, starting with the Licence to Perform Rigging - Basic Level (CPCCLRG3001) course.
Your assessor will give you a Notice of Assessment once you pass. You’ll then have 60 days from its issue date to apply to WorkSafe WA for your licence. A new licence costs $92, but you’ll only pay $46 to add a rigging class later because WorkSafe WA adds it to your existing licence instead of issuing a new one.
How to get your dogging ticket in Perth
The first thing you need to do is complete the Licence to Perform Dogging (CPCCLDG3001) course. Our step-by-step dogging ticket guide covers the whole process in more detail. You’ll need to meet these entry requirements before you enrol with us:
Age: You must be at least 18, which is the minimum age for any High Risk Work Licence.
Safety gear: Bring safety boots and your PPE to every session.
Reading and maths: You’ll need to answer written theory questions and calculate load weights during the assessments.
USI: We’ll need your Unique Student Identifier to issue your Statement of Attainment.
You’ll spend 4 to 5 days training face to face at our Perth facility in Welshpool before taking a theory test and completing a practical assessment. Our Perth night classes suit people who work during the day, with sessions from 4pm to 10pm Monday to Thursday and a day session on Friday. We also deliver the course in Bunbury, Kalgoorlie and Newman, or at your workplace if you need to train your entire crew.
Rigging courses in Perth: basic, intermediate and advanced
You can work your way up through three rigging levels once you have your dogging ticket. You’ll need to complete them in order since each course requires the level before it:
Course | What it adds | You’ll need | Duration | Perth price |
Installing structural steel, hoists, precast concrete and safety nets | Dogging ticket | 4 days | $1,225 | |
Licence to Perform Rigging - Intermediate Level (CPCCLRG3002) | Rigging cranes, conveyors, tilt slabs and demolition work | Basic rigging | 4 days | $1,300 |
Gin poles, flying foxes, guyed derricks and suspended scaffolds | Intermediate rigging | 3 days | $1,300 |
How much do dogging and rigging courses cost in Perth?
Our Licence to Perform Dogging (CPCCLDG3001) course costs $1,225 in Perth. You can save $270 if you book our dogging and basic rigging bundle instead, which covers both tickets in 7 days for $2,180.
Bundling saves money in the rigging levels too. Our intermediate and advanced rigging bundle costs $2,100 for 6 days, which is $500 less than booking both levels separately. You can contact us for dates and pricing on our 6-day basic and intermediate rigging bundle.
Eligible workers in WA’s building and construction industry may be able to put Construction Training Fund money towards these courses. You’ll only pay the gap fee as we lodge the claim for you. You can also spread the cost with Afterpay.
Where can dogging and rigging tickets take you in WA?
Doggers and riggers earn similar salaries on average, though the upper range is higher for riggers. The average dogman salary in Australia ranges from $100,000 to $105,000 a year while riggers earn $95,000 to $115,000 on average, according to SEEK.
The real advantage of rigging is the wider range of jobs each level adds. A basic rigging licence lets you work on structural steel erection for construction projects in Perth. Intermediate and advanced riggers can also take on maintenance and shutdown work that mining and resources sites depend on. You can become a fully qualified rigger by working through all three levels.
Book your dogging and rigging courses in Perth
We offer the Licence to Perform Dogging (CPCCLDG3001) course at our Welshpool facility most weeks. That means you could book today and finish your dogging training within a fortnight. Our dogging and basic rigging bundle gets you both tickets in 7 days for less than booking them separately if you already know you also want to rig. Contact our team to check your CTF eligibility or plan your path through the higher rigging levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
A dogging licence lasts five years and you can renew it up to 90 days before it expires. You may need to redo the training and apply again if it’s been expired for more than 12 months.
No. You’ll need to complete our Licence to Perform Rigging - Basic Level (CPCCLRG3001) course first, for which you’ll need a dogging ticket to enrol.