Open crane ticket training is launching at Ascent Training Solutions from June 2026. If getting your C0 licence has been on your list, this is now your chance to complete the training.
This guide covers what the training involves, what it costs, how long it takes, and what the licence means for work in Queensland’s construction and infrastructure sectors.
Ready to secure your spot in our June intake? Contact Ascent Training Solutions today.
What is an open crane ticket (C0 licence)?
Crane operators require specific High Risk Work licence (HRWL) depending on the crane’s class and capacity:
|
Licence Class |
Crane Type |
Capacity
|
|
C2 |
Slewing mobile crane |
Up to 20 tonnes |
|
C6 |
Slewing mobile crane |
Up to 60 tonnes |
|
C1 |
Slewing mobile crane |
Up to 100 tonnes |
|
C0 |
Slewing mobile crane |
Over 100 tonnes (open class) |
C0 is the highest slewing mobile crane class. It authorises the operation of slewing mobile cranes with a capacity exceeding 100 tonnes and also encompasses the lower slewing mobile crane classes. In practice, that is why it is often referred to as the open class.
Some operators start with a lower slewing mobile crane class and upgrade later. That pathway remains valid, especially for the Open Crane Licence. Obtaining your C) licence through Ascent, we do require you to hold your C6 class licence prior to enrolling in the C0 Course.
With the introduction of C0 training in June, Ascent will offer the full suite of slewing mobile cranes.
C0 Course details: duration, price, and location
Duration
Ascent’s open crane ticket course runs across approximately 5 days, combining classroom-based theory with supervised practical training on live equipment. Contact Ascent directly to confirm session timing and to discuss options that suit your availability.
Pricing
Course fees for the open crane ticket training can be viewed here (link to our price list)
Training location
Ascent Training Solutions delivers training from its facility in our 10,000m2, state-of-the-art facility in Richlands, Brisbane. Practical sessions take place at a purpose-built training site with access to slewing mobile crane equipment. If you’re travelling from outside the immediate area, ask us about onsite accommodation and airport pick up.
What you’ll learn
Your open crane ticket training will cover:
- Crane theory and fundamental principles of crane operation
- Reading and interpreting load charts, capacity tables, and crane configurations
- Pre-operational inspection and daily maintenance checks
- Safe rigging and load management principles
- Identification and avoidance of hazards including overhead services, ground conditions, and exclusion zones
- Communication protocols and signal standards for crane operations
- Emergency procedures and incident response
- Practical crane operation under instructor supervision, progressing from basic lifts to more complex load handling
The course balances theory with hands-on time. Candidates spend time in the classroom working through the knowledge requirements before moving to practical sessions on equipment. You will be assessed against the applicable licensing and training requirements before any resulting documentation is issued.
What can an operator with an open crane licence earn?
Pay rates for crane operators vary widely depending on the crane type, employer, sector, roster pattern, site conditions, and whether the work is metropolitan, regional, or FIFO. Holding a C0 can expand the types of roles you are eligible for, but actual earnings depend on the job and location.
For many workers, a higher crane class can support access to broader project work. However, licence class alone does not determine pay, and prospective operators should assess current job ads and employer requirements in the markets where they want to work.
Why the demand for crane operators is strong right now
Queensland’s infrastructure pipeline remains substantial. The Brisbane 2032 venues program, alongside ongoing investment in road, rail, energy, and construction projects, is expected to support continued demand for licensed crane operators.
Jobs and Skills Australia occupation data continues to show crane, hoist and lift operators as an important occupation group linked to construction, mining, transport, and industrial activity. Demand can still vary by project cycle, region, and employer requirements.
Why train with Ascent Training Solutions?
Ascent is a registered training organisation (RTO) delivering nationally accredited High Risk Work training in Queensland. The training team includes experienced, industry-qualified trainers who have operated cranes in real-world conditions.
Training is delivered in a structured, supported environment with low trainer-to-student ratios to ensure you get adequate practical time on equipment. Ascent’s trainers understand that people come to this course with different backgrounds and levels of confidence, and they adapt their delivery accordingly.
Secure your spot in the June intake for open crane ticket QLD
Places in the June open crane ticket intake are limited. If you’re ready to take this step, now is the time to reach out.
Contact Ascent Training Solutions to enrol or ask any questions about the course.
Not ready to book yet but want to stay informed? Pass this article on to a mate who’s been thinking about getting their crane ticket. Sometimes all it takes is seeing the full picture laid out clearly.
