Traffic Control Work Training

From 1 July 2020, Traffic Control cards will no longer be issued by Transport for NSW (formerly RMS). They will be issued by SafeWork NSW and will be called a Traffic Control Work Training Card.

Convert your RMS card to a SafeWork NSW card online.
(from 1 July 2020)

Traffic Control Work Training cards are not considered a High Risk Work Licence or a General Construction Induction Training card.

Who does this effect?

Traffic control work is defined in the WHS Act as:

  • Traffic controller - direct traffic in accordance with a work zone traffic management plan
  • Implement traffic control plans - implement a work zone traffic management plan in the immediate vicinity of a workplace
  • Prepare a work zone traffic management plan - design (including vary) or inspect a work zone traffic management plan

If you do any of this work you'll need a training card

A sample of a Traffic Control Work Training Card

Workers will need to have either a current RMS issued Traffic Control Card or a SafeWork NSW Traffic Control Work Training Card if they work in traffic control.

These cards will be mandatory for any worker conducting traffic control work on or adjacent to public roads in NSW.

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.

Once your final assessment is successfully completed you will be issued with a SafeWork NSW Traffic Control Training Card.

Are there exceptions?

School crossing supervisors, heavy vehicle inspectors, emergency services personnel, defence and commonwealth employees do not need one of these cards.

Common situations

The RMS Traffic Control at Worksites Manual has been updated, what does this mean?

The WHS Regulation does not require refresher training in relation to Traffic Control Training, however, as a PCBU, Transport for NSW have imposed the following Traffic Control Training requirement: "In addition to holding the relevant qualification required by the WHS Regulation 2017, all personnel undertaking Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) on State Roads, or on behalf of Transport for NSW, must have undertaken refresher training in the relevant competency in the preceding two years from the date of the qualification."

Transport for NSW (RMS) has published the new version of the Traffic Control at Worksites Manual version 6.0.

You are a current RMS Traffic Control Photo card holder
  • Your card is valid until its expiry date. Please note class need to be converted within 210 days from expiry date. If not, card holder is required to resit/retrain.

  • As your expiry date approaches you will be invited to convert to a SafeWork NSW issued Traffic Control Work Training Card (TCWTC).

  • You can convert to a SafeWork NSW issued Traffic Control Work Training Card anytime after 1 July 2020 - refer to Fee Schedule for current fee
You are a current RMS Photo Card Holder and are experiencing difficulties with completing training and assessment
You work in traffic control and don’t have a card, what do you need to do?

You will need to enrol to undertake training and assessment with a SafeWork NSW Registered Training Organisation.

Recognition of Prior Learning will be permitted on the training component of the Units of Competency. The assessment will still need to be undertaken in full as normal for all individuals.

I don't work in traffic control but have been told I need to obtain a SafeWork NSW Traffic Control Work Training (TCWT) Card, what do I need to do?

On 1 July 2020, Traffic Control Work Training became part of the Work Health and Safety Act and the inclusion will made completion of training a legislated obligation.

This means that workers in varying industries such as manufacturing, retail and construction will now be required to obtain a TCWT.

For example : A supermarket with a loading dock that is accessed via a public road. The supermarket worker will be required to hold a TCWT card to be able to direct traffic to allow the truck to reverse into the loading dock.

For example : a worker may be required to hold a TCWT on a construction site where vehicles / trucks are accessing via a public road and traffic is needed to be stopped to allow vehicles in and out of the site.

Training and assessment must be undertaken with a SafeWork NSW Authorised Registered Training Organisation.

You need to replace your current card due to loss or damage or change your details.

    Your RMS Traffic Control Card can be replaced online with a SafeWork NSW Traffic Control Work Training Card.

    If you card contains errors, contact 13 10 50.

You are a Business (PCBU) - what do you need to know and do from 1 July 2020?
  • A PCBU has a duty to ensure that a worker holds a SafeWork NSW traffic control work training card.
  • A penalty of up to $21,420 may apply to a business who directs a worker to undertake traffic control work without the required certification.
  • The PCBU also needs to ensure that the worker has:

    a) successfully completed the training for that type of traffic control work and
    b) carried out that type of traffic control work in the preceding 2 years.

  • A business may direct a worker to undertake traffic control work while they are waiting for their SafeWork NSW Traffic Control Work Training Card to be issued. The worker must be able to show their Statement of Completion and confirmation letter of successful assessment upon request.
  • A business may direct or allow a worker to carry out traffic control work if the worker has completed training but is yet to complete the workplace assessment and holds a current Statement of Completion (or letter of extension). The work needs to be carried out under supervision.

Get trained

Further information

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