The 5-day dogging course covers the skills you need to sling loads, inspect lifting gear and direct crane or hoist operators when they cannot see the load. After passing your assessment, you can apply to WorkSafe Victoria for a Dogging (DG) High Risk Work licence, also known as a dogging ticket.
What Is Dogging?
Dogging covers two main types of work:
- Choosing, inspecting and using slings and other lifting gear when judgement is needed
- Directing a crane or hoist operator when the load is outside the operator’s view
The person doing this work is called a dogger.
WorkSafe Victoria defines dogging work by the judgement involved. This includes deciding whether lifting gear is suitable, checking its condition and choosing the right slinging method based on the load, its mass and its centre of gravity.
It also includes directing the plant operator when the operator cannot see the load. In these situations, the person doing the work must hold a Dogging (DG) High Risk Work licence.
Who needs a dogging licence?
You need a dogging licence when you carry out dogging work.
This may include:
- Choosing slings or lifting gear for a load
- Working out how a load should be slung
- Checking whether lifting gear is safe to use
- Directing a crane operator when the load is out of view
- Making decisions based on the weight, shape or centre of gravity of a load
Slinging a load involves much more than connecting a chain or cable. You need to know whether the gear suits the job, how the load may move once lifted and whether the planned lifting method is safe.
The dogging course teaches you how to make those decisions and communicate clearly with the crane operator.
When can someone sling a load without a DG licence?
Some repetitive lifting work may fall outside the definition of dogging when no judgement is needed, and the operator can see the load throughout the lift.
For this to apply, a competent person must have already worked out matters such as:
- The weight and centre of gravity of the load
- The lifting points
- The lifting gear and slinging method
- The condition of the lifting gear
- The documented lifting procedure
The load and lifting process must stay within those set conditions. The crane or plant operator must also have a clear view of the load throughout its movement.
If the person needs to choose the gear, change the slinging method or direct an operator who cannot see the load, a licensed dogger is required. WorkSafe provides more detail in its current guidance on dogging and slinging techniques.
Dogman training for Melbourne students
CTI provides dogman training for Melbourne students from its Riddells Creek training centre. The course runs from Monday to Friday and includes classroom learning, practical exercises and the High Risk Work licence assessment.
Students complete the full dogging course at the same facility, with the lifting gear and training areas needed for the practical work.
Course at a glance
| Course detail | Information |
| Unit | CPCCLDG3001 Licence to Perform Dogging |
| Duration | 5 days, Monday to Friday |
| Location | Riddells Creek, Victoria |
| Delivery | Face-to-face theory and practical training |
| Assessment | Knowledge and practical High Risk Work licence assessment |
| Full fee | $1,450, GST-exempt |
| Outcome | Statement of Attainment and results needed to apply for a DG licence |
| Next step | Apply to WorkSafe Victoria within 60 calendar days of passing |
This summary gives you the basics. See the full Dogging (DG) Licence Course page for the latest requirements, fees and available dates.
What do you need to bring?
Before starting the course, you will need:
- Photo identification
- A Unique Student Identifier (USI)
- Suitable work clothing
- Steel-capped safety boots
- Any other personal protective equipment listed in your enrolment information
You must be at least 18 to apply for a Victorian High Risk Work licence. CTI also completes a language, literacy and numeracy check as part of the enrolment process.
Read the course information sent to you before day 1. Arriving without the required identification or PPE may stop you from taking part in some training activities.
What happens during the course?
The 5-day course combines classroom learning with practical work.
You will learn how to:
- Plan dogging work and check the work area
- Identify hazards and put controls in place
- Estimate load weights and find centres of gravity
- Select and inspect slings, shackles and other lifting gear
- Choose suitable slinging techniques
- Communicate with crane and hoist operators
- Control loads during lifting
- Finish the job and store equipment safely
The practical training is completed at CTI rather than being split across different sites. Training may continue in light rain, so bring clothing suited to outdoor work and changing conditions.
Who should complete this course?
A Dogging (DG) licence may suit people who want to work with cranes, hoists and suspended loads across Melbourne and Victoria.
The course may be right for:
- Construction workers who need to sling loads or direct crane operators
- Crane crew members who want a recognised dogging qualification
- Workers moving towards basic, intermediate or advanced rigging
- Plant operators whose work includes lifts outside their full view
- Leading hands or supervisors who personally carry out dogging work
Supervising a lift does not automatically mean you need a DG licence. But you do need one when you personally perform work that meets the definition of dogging.
