If you’re planning a career in high-risk lifting work, one of the most common questions we hear is whether it’s better to complete your Dogging licence and Basic Rigging licence separately, or take them together as a combo package. While both approaches are valid, there are several practical, financial, and career-based reasons why combining these two qualifications makes sense for most candidates in 2026.
Dogging and Rigging Are Closely Linked Skills
Dogging and rigging aren’t two unrelated trades — they sit on the same skills pathway. A person holding a Basic Rigging (RB) licence is legally permitted to carry out dogging duties as part of their scope of work, which means the two roles overlap significantly on site. If you’re not familiar with exactly where the line sits between the two, our guide on the key differences between dogging and rigging courses breaks down what each licence actually covers and how they build on one another.
Because rigging knowledge builds directly on dogging fundamentals — load calculation, gear selection, hazard planning, and directing crane movements — training providers can teach both units in a single, structured two-week program without duplicating content. This is very different from studying them months apart, where you’d effectively relearn the foundational material twice.
Time Efficiency: One Block of Training, Two Licences
Doing dogging and rigging as separate courses usually means two separate enrolments, two trips to a training facility, and two blocks of time away from work. Combining them into a single Dogging + Basic Rigging package condenses this into one continuous two-week program covering both CPCCLDG3001 (Licence to perform dogging) and CPCCLRG3001 (Licence to perform rigging basic level).
For tradespeople and labourers who need to get site-ready as quickly as possible, this matters. Instead of waiting weeks or months between courses, you walk away with both High-Risk Work Licence classifications (DG and RB) in one sitting.
Cost Savings Compared to Doing Courses Separately
Combo packages are typically priced lower than booking each course individually, since training providers can deliver the overlapping theory components once rather than twice. Over the course of a career, the money saved by bundling these licences can be put toward further upskilling, such as progressing to Intermediate or Advanced Rigging down the track.
Broader Employability on Site
Employers in construction, mining, and infrastructure consistently look for workers who can cover more than one function on a lifting crew. Holding both a DG and RB licence means you’re not limited to slinging and directing loads — you’re also qualified for steel erection, hoist operation, precast concrete placement, and safety net and static line installation. This makes you a more flexible hire and can open the door to a wider range of roles and job sites.
We’ve covered this employability angle in more detail in our article on the combo advantage of dogging and basic rigging licences, including how it positions you for progression into intermediate and advanced rigging work later in your career.
A Natural Stepping Stone for Career Progression
Basic Rigging is generally the first rung on the rigging licence ladder, with Intermediate and Advanced Rigging licences building on it over time. Because dogging knowledge is embedded within the rigging syllabus, completing both together gives you a stronger foundation before you consider progressing further. Many workers who start with the combo package go on to add Intermediate Rigging or crane licences as their experience grows.
Is the Combo Right for You?
The combined Dogging and Basic Rigging pathway suits most candidates who know they’ll need both licences eventually — which, given the overlap in duties, is the majority of people entering high-risk lifting work. If you’re only ever planning to perform dogging duties with no interest in rigging tasks, a standalone Dogging licence may be sufficient. But for anyone building a long-term career around cranes, steel erection, or structural lifting, training for both at once is the more efficient and cost-effective route.
Get Your Dogging and Basic Rigging Licence Together
Safety Australia Training runs the combined Dogging (DG) and Basic Rigging (RB) course across multiple locations in NSW and VIC, with regular intake dates throughout the year. You’ll complete both theory and practical assessment and walk away with a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment and High-Risk Work Licence for both classes.
View course dates and enrol in the Dogging + Basic Rigging combo package
