Traffic control work training cards
Find out what you need to work in traffic control in NSW, including training and eligibility requirements. Learn how to update or replace a SafeWork NSW card.
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Key information
Traffic control work is defined in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 as:
- Traffic controller (TCR) – direct traffic in accordance with a work zone traffic management plan
- Implement traffic control plans (IMP) – implement a work zone traffic management plan in the immediate vicinity of a workplace
- Prepare a work zone traffic management plan (PWZ) – design (including vary) or inspect a work zone traffic management plan
Visit Verify NSW to look up and verify NSW Traffic Control Work Cards.
When a traffic control work training card is needed
Workers must have a SafeWork NSW Traffic Control Work Training (TCWT) Card if they work in traffic control.
These cards are mandatory for any worker conducting traffic control work on or adjacent to public roads in NSW.
Workers in varying industries such as manufacturing, retail and construction may also be required to obtain a TCWT Card.
Students who have completed training and hold a valid Statement of Completion (SOC) are able to carry out supervised work until they complete their final assessment.
Examples of when a TCWT Card is required
A supermarket with a loading dock that is accessed via a public road. The supermarket worker must hold a TCWT Card to be able to direct traffic to allow the truck to reverse into the loading dock.
A worker must hold a TCWT Card on a construction site where vehicles or trucks are accessing via a public road and traffic is needed to be stopped to allow vehicles in and out of the site.
Workers who are exempt
The following workers do not need a TCWT Card:
- School crossing supervisors.
- Heavy vehicle inspectors.
- Emergency services personnel.
- Defence and commonwealth employees.
Approved courses of training
The units listed in the courses below are the current units of competency as listed on training.gov.au.
Select the headings below for more details.
Traffic controller (TCR)
This course addresses the skills and knowledge for those responsible for stopping and starting traffic in temporary traffic management using a stop/slow bat or boom gate.
This program is a good entry point for those wishing to establish themselves into the traffic control/management industry.
This course does not qualify a participant to set up or work with traffic control plans.
To obtain a SafeWork NSW Traffic Control Work Training (TCWT) card, training and assessment must be carried out by a SafeWork NSW approved training provider.
Units of competency
- RIIWHS201E Work safely and follow WHS policies and work procedures
- RIICOM201E Communicate in the workplace
- RIIWHS205E Control traffic with a stop-slow bat
- RIIWHS206 Control traffic with portable traffic control devices and temporary traffic signs
Implement traffic control plans (IMP)
This course addresses the skills and knowledge for personnel responsible for traffic management on a site to implement a work zone traffic management plan in the immediate vicinity of a workplace.
This course does not qualify a participant to control traffic with a stop/slow bat or boom gate, or to modify existing traffic control plans.
To obtain a SafeWork NSW Traffic Control Work Training (TCWT) card, training and assessment must be carried out by a SafeWork NSW approved training provider.
Units of competency
- RIIWHS201E Work Safely and follow WHS policies and procedures
- RIICOM201E Communicate in the workplace
- RIIRIS301 Apply risk management processes
- RIIWHS302 Implement traffic management plans
- RIIWHS303 Position, set-up and program portable traffic control devices
In addition to the above approved courses of training, the below are also approved courses of training until 1 September 2027 only, when used in accordance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2025.
Units of competency
- RIIWHS201E Work Safely and follow WHS policies and procedures
- RIICOM201E Communicate in the workplace
- RIIRIS301E Apply risk management processes
- RIIWHS302E Implement traffic management plans
- RIIWHS303 Position, set-up and program portable traffic control devices
Prepare a work zone traffic management plan (PWZ)
This course provides the skills and knowledge required for individuals responsible for developing traffic management plans and traffic guidance schemes to perform a preliminary risk assessment of a temporary traffic management site and select, modify and design traffic management plans and traffic guidance schemes.
This course does not qualify a participant to control traffic with a stop/slow bat, or boom gate, or set up work with traffic control plans.
To obtain a SafeWork NSW Traffic Control Work Training (TCWT) card, training and assessment must be carried out by a SafeWork NSW approved training provider.
Units of competency
- RIIRIS402E Carry out the risk management process
- RIICWD503 Prepare traffic management plans and traffic guidance schemes
In addition to the above approved courses of training, the below are also approved courses of training until 1 September 2027 only, when used in accordance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2025.
Units of competency
- RIIRIS402E Carry out the risk management process
- RIICWD503E Prepare traffic management plans and traffic guidance schemes
Eligibility
Who can apply
To apply for a TCWT Card, you must:
- be at least 17 years of age, and
- have completed training and assessment in the relevant class or classes with a SafeWork NSW Authorised registered training organisation (RTO).
Who cannot apply
You cannot apply for a TCWT Card unless you have completed the relevant training and been assessed as competent.
Replace a card
If your card has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you can order and pay for a replacement online as long as your details match those on your licence.
To replace your SafeWork NSW TCWT Card, complete the SafeWork NSW licence replacement form.
If your card contains incorrect information, call SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50.
Update card details
If your address or contact details have changed, complete the update contact details form.
If your name has changed, complete the change of details form and submit required documents:
- certified copy of the marriage certificate issued by a Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Australia, or
- certified copy of the change of name certificate issued by a Registry of Birth, Deaths and Marriages in Australia.
If you are unable to complete the online form, call SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50.
Working interstate
The Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme makes it is easier and more affordable for many licensed or registered people to work in other states and territories with a single licence.
Traffic control work is included in the AMR scheme. This means licensed workers from all states and territories can work across borders (except Queensland), without having to apply for a licence in the second state or territory.
To be eligible for AMR the licence must be issued from the Government Licensing Regulator. NSW cannot accept Victorian training as issued by a Registered Training Organisation.
Interstate licensees must have a current licence in their home state and must notify us of their intention to work here. Read more about how to notify to work in NSW under Automatic Mutual Recognition.
Under AMR:
- licensees working interstate are subject to all relevant laws in the second state or territory
- their home state licence is considered a local licence in the second state or territory
- the second state or territory cannot impose specific conditions on an interstate licensee if they are not conditions that would be imposed on a local licensee
- any conditions on a licensee’s home state licence still apply while working in the second state or territory
- licensees may appear on the second state’s public register – this depends on the state or territory.
The scheme does not apply to New Zealand occupational registrations and licences.
Contact us
If you need help with your application or have a question, call SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50.