What Tickets Do You Need for FIFO Work in WA?

Paratus Training
Jul 14
4 min read

Aerial view of a Western Australian open cut mine site at dusk — Paratus Training guide to licences and tickets needed for FIFO work in WA

There's no single "FIFO Ticket" or "FIFO licence" — what you need depends on the specific role. The qualifications that come up most consistently across WA mining, resources, and construction FIFO (Fly-in, Fly-out) roles are the White Card (CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry), Forklift Licence (TLILIC0003 Licence to operate a forklift truck), Working at Heights (RIIWHS204E Work safely at heights), Confined Space (RIIWHS202E Enter and work in confined spaces), and — for plant-adjacent and lifting roles — Dogging (CPCCLDG3001 Licence to perform dogging) and Rigging (CPCCLRG3001 Licence to perform rigging basic level). On mine sites, first attack firefighting competency and an EWP licence are also commonly required.

If you're working out how to get FIFO-ready without knowing exactly which roster you'll land, here's how to think about which qualifications actually matter.

Start With the Baseline: White Card

Almost every FIFO role involving construction, maintenance, or shutdown work requires a current White Card (CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry). It's the entry-level WHS induction the industry runs on, and it's typically the first thing recruiters check before anything else. If you only secure one qualification before chasing FIFO work, this is it.

Common FIFO Tickets for Site Safety: Forklift, Working at Heights, Confined Space, and Firefighting

Beyond the White Card, a core group of safety units covers a large share of general FIFO site labour, trade-support, and mine site roles:

Forklift Licence (TLILIC0003 Licence to operate a forklift truck) — relevant to warehousing, laydown yards, and materials handling roles common across mine sites and construction projects.
Working at Heights (RIIWHS204E Work safely at heights) — required for any role involving elevated work, which covers a wide range of maintenance and construction tasks on site.
Confined Space (RIIWHS202E Enter and work in confined spaces) — needed for roles involving tanks, vessels, or other confined-space entry, common in mine site processing and maintenance work. Often paired with gas test atmospheres (MSMWHS217).
First Attack Firefighting (CPPFES2005 Demonstrate first attack firefighting equipment) — a standard safety prerequisite on mine sites and processing facilities across WA, particularly in the Pilbara, Goldfields, and iron ore regions. It's often a site entry or principal contractor requirement rather than something listed explicitly in the job ad — but the expectation is there regardless.

Which combination applies to you depends on the specific role. Read job ads carefully rather than assuming all four are required for every position.

Lifting and Plant-Adjacent Roles: Dogging, Rigging, EWP

If the role involves working around cranes, structural lifting, or elevated work platforms, you'll be looking at a different set of licences:

Dogging (CPCCLDG3001 Licence to perform dogging) and Rigging (CPCCLRG3001 Licence to perform rigging basic level) — for crane-direction, slinging, and structural or mechanical lifting work. Dogging is the prerequisite for basic rigging.
EWP Licence — either TLILIC0005 Licence to operate a boom-type elevating work platform (boom ≥11m) for larger boom lifts, or RIIHAN301E Operate elevating work platform for scissor lifts and smaller EWPs. Which licence you need depends on the equipment the site runs — confirm with the employer or recruiter before enrolling.

These tend to be more specialised, higher-paying entry points than general labour, but they require more upfront training investment.

Paratus Training quick reference table listing unit codes, licence types, and renewal periods for WA FIFO qualifications including forklift, EWP, dogging, rigging, working at heights, confined space, and first attack firefighting — Not all licences work the same way — HRWLs renew through WorkSafe WA every five years; competency units are typically refreshed by site requirement. Know the difference before you apply. Current as at June 2026.

Building the Right Combination

Recruiters and FIFO employers are looking for the specific combination a role calls for — not the longest list of qualifications. Before committing to every available course, check actual job ads for the type of work you're targeting (civil, mechanical, processing, maintenance) and identify which two to four licences and units appear consistently.

From there, two natural pathways emerge:

General site and maintenance roles: White Card → Working at Heights → Confined Space (often with gas test atmospheres)
Lifting-adjacent roles: White Card → Dogging → Rigging (basic level)

If you're targeting mine site or processing plant roles — particularly in the Pilbara or Goldfields — add first attack firefighting to the list. It's increasingly standard as a site entry condition across Tier 1 operations, and it's easier to have it before you need it than to delay mobilisation for one short course.

Once you've identified your pathway, view upcoming course dates and book online, or speak with one of our training team if you'd like to discuss your options.

A Note on Licence Currency

High Risk Work Licences — forklift, dogging, rigging, and EWP — run on a five-year renewal cycle administered by WorkSafe WA. Working at Heights and Confined Space training is typically refreshed by employer or principal contractor policy every two to three years, particularly on Tier 1 mine sites. Keep your licences and units current before you apply — recruiters check, and lapsed credentials can delay site access on the day you're meant to mobilise.

FAQs

Is there one qualification that covers "FIFO work" generally?

No. FIFO is a work arrangement, not a licence category — the specific qualifications required depend entirely on the role, the site, and the principal contractor's entry conditions.

Which licence should I get first if I'm new to the industry?

A White Card (CPCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry), in almost every case — it's the most universally required and the starting point for everything else.

Do mine sites require their own induction on top of these licences?

Yes. Every site runs its own site-specific induction in addition to whatever national licences and units you hold. Some Tier 1 mine sites also require contractor management system registration (such as Pegasus or Veriforce) before you can access the gate. Ask your employer or recruiter if you are unsure.

Why does a job ad mention firefighting if the role isn't emergency response?

On mine sites and processing facilities, first attack firefighting competency is a standard safety requirement for all personnel, not just emergency response staff. It reflects principal contractor obligations under WA mining safety legislation and is increasingly treated the same way as the White Card — something you're expected to have before you arrive on site.

Where can I verify these unit codes?

All units cited in this post are listed on training.gov.au, the national register maintained by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

Getting your FIFO qualifications in order?

See our course pages for Forklift, EWP, Dogging, Rigging, Confined Space, Working at Heights, and First Attack Firefighting — or contact our corporate training team if you're coordinating training for a crew.