Summary in one sentence – If you’re not working as a dedicated Traffic Controller for a Traffic Control company, you don’t need to comply with the new Traffic Control Framework for now.
In May 2022, Austroads announced the release of eight new skill sets for traffic workers in conjunction with an operational framework for training providers in an effort to improve safety outcomes and harmonise training requirements nationally.
All stakeholders were of the same opinion that these new skill sets would replace the following Units of Competency from 1st March 2024 onwards:
- RIIWHS205E Control traffic with a stop-slow bat
- RIIWHS302E Implement traffic management plan
Since the initial announcement, WAM Training has invested considerable time and resources to understand and comply with the new framework, which sees a substantial increase in training hours required to become a Traffic Controller (and also requires assessments to be conducted in live traffic environments).
On several occasions (including just two weeks ago), we have queried the viability of the framework with the Department of Transport and Planning – as we were asking ourselves how any business could afford to onboard and train staff who may be required to control traffic. Up until just a couple of days ago, we had decided that we would cease the delivery of traffic controller training.
On 12th February 2024, the Department of Transport and Planning advised:
“As per the VicRoads website covering the adoption of the national traffic management training framework in Victoria, RIIWHS205E and RIIWHS302E training can be delivered until 29 February 2024. Qualifications received under RIIWHS205E and RIIWHS302E will continue to be recognised until they expire.”
This response reaffirmed that from 01 March 2024 the new skill sets must be adopted – a view which rapidly changed on 28th February 2024 following another email from the Department of Transport and Planning which stated:
“However we want to clarify that until further notice, the new training only applies to traffic management companies and workers. A separate training package is being developed to suit other types of industries carrying out short term low impact works on the road network, including the utilities sector, surveying industry and event workers. We will provide more information about this training package as soon as the details are confirmed. In the meantime, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) can continue delivering the following training to workers outside of the traffic management industry to ensure safety on the road network until the new training package is available:
- RIIWHS205: Control traffic with stop-slow bat
- RIIWHS302: Implement traffic management plans”
So… What does this mean?
If you are (or planning to) working for a dedicated traffic control company – the new framework applies to you. But if you work in any other industry, and just need to be able to control traffic as an extra requirement of your primary work tasks – our Traffic Controller Course is a fantastic option.
As more information comes to light, we’ll be sure to update you.
