Ask any crane crew in Sydney which ticket opens the most doors and you'll hear the same answer: dogging. The DG high risk work licence is the foundation qualification of lifting work — it's what lets you sling loads, select lifting gear and direct crane movements on site. It's also the ticket most riggers, crane operators and leading hands got first. Here's what a dogging course in Sydney actually involves, what it costs, and where it takes you.
What is dogging?
Dogging (the person doing it is a dogman or dogger) covers two things under the NSW high risk work framework:
- Slinging techniques — selecting and inspecting lifting gear (slings, chains, shackles, spreader bars) and attaching it to a load so the load can be lifted safely.
- Directing the crane or hoist operator — using whistle, hand and two-way radio signals to guide the load, especially when it travels out of the operator's view.
The moment a load requires judgement about how it should be slung — its weight, its centre of gravity, which gear to use — the law says the person making those calls needs a DG licence. That's most loads on most construction sites, which is why dogging is everywhere.
Who needs a DG ticket?
- Anyone slinging loads for a crane — steel, precast panels, formwork, plant, pallets of material
- Crane crew members directing lifts, especially blind lifts where the operator can't see the load
- Aspiring crane operators — most Sydney employers expect crane ticket holders to hold dogging too
- Riggers-to-be — DG is the mandatory prerequisite for every rigging class (RB, RI, RA)
- Labourers and trades who want off the shovel and onto the lifting crew
That last point matters: dogging is the classic entry ticket. No experience prerequisite, a few days of training, and you walk out qualified for a role on every crane job in the city.
What the course covers
A dogging course in Sydney typically runs four to five days and works to the nationally recognised unit CPCCLDG3001 (Licence to perform dogging). Expect:
- Planning the task. Load weight assessment — calculating or verifying weight from drawings, markings and material tables. Centre of gravity. Site hazards including powerline exclusion zones.
- Lifting gear. Sling types (chain, wire rope, synthetic), working load limits, sling angles and how they multiply load on the gear, shackles, hooks, lifting beams — and how to inspect all of it for damage.
- Slinging techniques. Direct, choke and basket hitches; packing sharp edges; load control with tag lines.
- Communication. The standard hand signals, whistle signals and radio protocols for directing a crane, including loads moving out of the operator's view.
- Assessment. Written knowledge questions, calculations (sling angles and WLL are the classic stumbling blocks), and a practical assessment with a SafeWork-accredited assessor. Pass and you receive a Notice of Satisfactory Assessment to lodge with SafeWork NSW for your photo licence.
Prerequisites, cost and duration
There are no formal ticket prerequisites — you must be 18 or over, hold photo ID and be able to complete the assessment in English. In Sydney, a dogging course generally costs $1,200–$2,000 depending on provider and course length, plus the SafeWork NSW licence fee when you lodge. Most people are assessed within a week of starting.
The maths, calculations and load-chart work put some people off — don't let it. Good trainers teach the calculations from scratch, and every working dogman in Sydney passed the same assessment.
What dogmen earn — and where the ticket leads
Dogmen on Sydney civil and commercial sites commonly earn $38–$48 an hour, with major infrastructure projects and night shifts paying more once allowances stack up. But the bigger value is the pathway:
- DG → rigging (RB, then RI, RA) — dogging is the legal prerequisite; riggers earn a clear premium
- DG → crane classes (CN, C6 and beyond) — operators who hold dogging are first pick because they can work both sides of a lift
- DG → leading hand / lift supervisor — every crane crew leader started on the sling
Employers hiring for crane crews screen for dogging first. It's the ticket that gets your foot in the gate.
Choosing a dogging course provider in Sydney
The difference between providers comes down to practical time and assessment support. Before booking, check:
- The RTO is registered and the assessor is SafeWork-accredited
- How much hands-on slinging and signalling time you get — reps build the confidence that gets you through the practical
- Class sizes — smaller means more time on the gear
- Calculation support — the sling-angle and load-weight maths is where candidates fail; good providers drill it until it sticks
- Real student reviews, and combo pricing if you plan to stack dogging with rigging or a crane ticket
In Western Sydney, Training Combined at Regents Park has run dogging and rigging training for over 25 years, holds a 5.0-star Google rating, and offers combo packages that sequence dogging into rigging and crane classes — the exact pathway most lift-crew careers follow. Wherever you train, use the checklist above and prioritise hands-on hours over the cheapest price.
FAQ
How long does a dogging course take in Sydney? Typically four to five days full-time, including assessment. Some providers run split schedules over two weeks for people working around a job.
Is dogging hard to pass? The practical is straightforward if you've had enough hands-on reps. The written calculations — sling angles, working load limits, load weights — are where most people stumble, so pick a provider that drills the maths properly.
What's the difference between dogging and rigging? Dogging covers slinging loads and directing the crane. Rigging builds on it — moving plant, erecting structural steel, hoists and demolition work. You must hold a DG licence before you can do any rigging course.