What licences or tickets do you need to work as a Scaffolder?

In every state the law requires: High risk work licence: basic scaffolding (SB) and White Card (general construction induction). Pick your state on this page to see who issues each one and how to get it.

Scaffolder

Puts up, changes and takes down scaffolding so others can work safely at height.

Falls are a leading cause of serious injury

Make sure you are trained and that fall protection is in place before you work at heights. You can refuse unsafe work.

What you do

You fit and bolt tubes, braces and other parts to build up scaffolding. You lift sections into place, put up guard rails and safety nets, and lay planks. When the job is done, you take the scaffolding down and remove it from the site.

SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026

Licences and tickets

New South Wales

Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.

High risk work licence: basic scaffolding (SB)
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Licence
Every state
Needed for scaffolding work above the height set in the WHS laws. Check the rules with your state regulator.
SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026
How to get it
White Card (general construction induction)
Issued by Your state's work health and safety regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW)
Card
Every state
SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026
How to get it

Helps you stand outNot required, but it can help you get hired.

Working at heights training
Issued by Registered training organisations (RTOs)
Certificate
Every state
Some employers ask for this when the work is at height.
SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026
How to get it

Pay

$35.10an hour

Minimum casual rate (adult, CW/ECW 1 (level a), residential): $35.10 an hour

Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), from 1 July 2026. Last checked 10 Oct 2026.

Minimum full-time rate (adult, CW/ECW 1 (level a), residential): $28.08 an hour

SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026

Median earnings: $2,910 a week before tax (full-time workers, all experience levels, national; may cover a wider occupation group)

SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026

Median earnings and some job descriptions: Jobs and Skills Australia, © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Rounded and reworded by Nyvo.

The award rates shown are national minimums under the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020) for residential building work, from 1 July 2026. They include the industry allowance. They are for the lowest adult level (CW/ECW 1, level a). Your level depends on your skills, tickets and duties, and higher levels pay more. Age, overtime, weekend work, other allowances and enterprise agreements can change your pay. Whether you are an employee or a contractor depends on the actual working relationship, not the job title. For pay questions, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94. The median weekly figure comes from Jobs and Skills Australia. It is for full-time workers in the wider occupation group, before tax. It is a guide only, not a promise of pay.

Rates depend on your award level, age, casual or permanent work, penalty rates and any enterprise agreement.

Whether you are an employee or a contractor depends on the actual working relationship, not the job title. Fair Work

Check pay with Fair Work See current ads on SEEK

Common questions

What licences or tickets do you need to work as a Scaffolder?: In every state the law requires: High risk work licence: basic scaffolding (SB) and White Card (general construction induction). Pick your state on this page to see who issues each one and how to get it.
What is the minimum pay for a Scaffolder?: Minimum casual rate (adult, CW/ECW 1 (level a), residential): $35.10 an hour. Under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), from 1 July 2026. Last checked 10 Oct 2026.
What are median earnings for a Scaffolder?: Median earnings: $2,910 a week before tax (full-time workers, all experience levels, national; may cover a wider occupation group).

Falls are a leading cause of serious injury

What you do

Licences and tickets

Related jobs

Common questions