How do you become a Traffic Control Controller? Questions answered.

How do you become a Traffic Control Controller?

When work involves moving vehicles or machinery, traffic control is essential to maintaining safety at work. Traffic control ensures that vehicles and people move in a safe manner to minimise potential dangers. A traffic controller is also required for traffic control.

Traffic controllers are responsible for making sure everyone follows the traffic control plan. To become a traffic controller, you must complete specific training. Here's a closer look at traffic controllers in NSW and Australia.

What is Traffic Control?

Traffic control is essential to ensure safety when driving on roads and at work. Traffic controllers are responsible for traffic control.

Traffic controllers direct traffic flow, including movement of pedestrians and vehicles. Traffic controllers implement traffic control plans, create signage and monitor traffic volumes. Training is required to maintain a safe environment on the roads.

How to become a traffic controller in NSW

You must obtain the Traffic Control Work Training Card to become a NSW traffic controller. Transport for NSW issued traffic control cards in New South Wales. The RMS cards have been replaced by the Traffic Control Work Training Card, (TCWTC).

SafeWork NSW has now issued the card. The card can only be obtained by completing a traffic controller course. AlertForce is one of the registered training organizations that offers training for nationally recognized units of competency. This includes all traffic control courses.

Trainees can work towards a qualification as a traffic controller or for the qualification to implement traffic management plans. Both qualifications require multiple units of competency. These are the two skill sets that you have for traffic control.

RIISS00058 (previously RIISS00054). - Traffic Control Skill set
RIISS00060 (previously RIISS00055). - Traffic Management Skill Set

Each skill set contains a list of units you will need to complete. These courses are required for traffic controllers in Australia.

A white card is also required. Also known as the construction introduction card. You can enter and work on construction sites across Australia by completing white card training.

To become a traffic controller, you might need to complete a form that is sent to your territory's governing body. In Queensland, for example, you must apply online to become a traffic controller after having completed the training and assessments.

Traffic Control Skill Set

Traffic control skills include the ability to stop and start pedestrian and vehicular traffic. This training is also useful for temporary traffic management. These are the common units of competency.

RIIWHS201 – Work Safely and Follow WHS Policies
RIIWHS205 – Control Traffic with Stop/Slow bat
RIIWHS206 – Control Traffic with Portable Traffic Control devices
RIICOM201 – Communication in the Workplace

RIIWHS302 – Implement Traffic Management Plans

These courses provide the fundamentals of traffic control and monitoring on work sites. RIIWHS205 was the previous main course required to work as a traffic controller. This course covers the preparation and operation of communication devices and the directing of traffic using hand signals and a bat.

RIIWHS206, a unit of competency that focuses on the use of traffic signs and portable traffic control devices for traffic management, is a more recent unit. This unit covers the selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), preparation of work sites, and risk assessment. The RIIWHS302 unit covers the competency of workers who must know how to implement traffic management strategies.

Mastering Traffic Management Skills

Traffic management skills have more responsibilities than the traffic control skill sets. This set's units of competency prepare people to create temporary traffic management plans that are based on road conditions and weather conditions. These are the common units of competency in this set:

RIIWHS303 – Position and Setup Portable Traffic Controller Devices
RIIRIS301 – Risk Management Processes
RIIRIS402 – Perform the Risk Management Processes
RIICWD503 – Prepare Traffic Management Plans and Traffic Guidance Schemas

These units are not enough. You must also complete the core competencies required to be a traffic controller. These include RIIWHS205 (Control Traffic With a Slow/Stop Bat) and RIIWHS302 ("Implement Traffic Management Plans”).

How to get into Traffic Control

Traffic control might require industry experience. Employers prefer candidates with at least one year of relevant experience.

Traffic controllers are most often employed in the construction industry. After completing the training and assessment, you may be able to work in construction.

Traffic controllers are also employed by traffic management companies. Before they can work on roads, organisations hire traffic management firms.

How to get Traffic Control Ticket

To obtain a traffic control ticket, you must complete the required traffic control training courses within your territory or state. In NSW, for example, you must complete RIIWHS205 (Control Traffic with a Slow Bat Stop/Slow Bat) as well as RIIWHS302 ("Implement Traffic Management Plans") to meet the minimum legislative requirements.

After you have completed the assessment and training, you can apply to be accredited in the territory or state where you work. Within a few weeks, the ticket or license is sent to your residential address. Once you have received the license, your rights as a traffic controller are granted.

What is the cost of a traffic control course?

Traffic control training costs vary from one training organisation to the next. Our RTO business partner AlertForce's RIIWHS205E (Control traffic with a stop-slow bat) is $347 in Canberra and $217 respectively in Sydney.

Combining units of competency can help you save money. Combining units of competency in a combo course, such as RIIWHS205E or RIIWHS302E ("Implement Traffic Management Plans") can save you a few hundred dollars over signing up for each course individually.

How long is the traffic control course?

The course usually includes half a day of classroom instruction and practical training. Some training options can cover all units of competency in a skill set within one to three days.

You will need to pass an assessment in addition to the practical training. You will need to show your knowledge of the material for the assessment. You will receive a certificate of attainment after passing the assessment.

What is the average traffic control ticket's lifespan?

In most states and territories, a traffic control license is valid for up to three years. Refresher training is required every two years. You must complete the refresher training and resubmit your application for traffic controller accreditation in the territory or state you live in. A valid driver's license is also required.

Conclusion

Safety at work is made easier by traffic control when there are vehicles and roads involved. Specialised training is required to learn how to set up temporary traffic signs and implement traffic guidance systems.

AlertForce has upcoming training opportunities for traffic controllers. You can find a variety of courses and locations to suit your schedule.

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