Skid loaders are probably some of the most versatile earthmoving equipment. Although they are widely used for digging holes and trenches, they can also be used for moving earth, loading the trucks, site clean-up, and many other tasks. But if you need to hire a bobcat in Brisbane, what do you need?
If you are hiring a skid steer loader for the first time, there are several things you need to understand about these machines. Most important are the requirements needed to rent and operate a bobcat. Do you need a licence to operate a skid loader? What will the machine supplier require from you? We have answered all these questions below in this article.
What Licence Do You Need To Operate A Bobcat?
The short answer to this question is none. You don’t need a licence to hire and operate a skid steer loader in Australia. The government amended the Workplace Health and Safety Act in 2011 to classify skid steer operation as ‘low risk’, and that’s what removed the need to hold a licence to operate.
The only thing you may be required is proof of competency in the way of certification. But those who are hiring bobcats for private use are exempted from this requirement. If you want to use the skid loader on private property, you don’t have to hold any documents to hire and operate these machines – but you should be experienced in using one.
The bare minimum a machine supplier will need for private use is familiarity with safety and operational specifics. When hiring equipment, ensure you have the skills for proper and safe use of bobcats. Holding a Verification of Competency (V.O.C.) will show your ability.
If you are hiring a skid loader for commercial applications, you still don’t need a licence, but you need to prove the operator’s competence in the form of certification. In most cases, the lending company will ask for a Statement of Attainment as proof of adequate skills to operate a Bobcat. These certificates are issued by registered training organisations (R.T.Os), which also train and assess operators. But there are many other ways you can prove competency, as detailed below:
How To Prove Operator’s Competency
Proof of competency to operate a bobcat skid steer is only required for commercial application. Although Statement of Attainment is crucial, many other proofs of competency are recognised. The rules are not very strict, making it easy for almost everyone with adequate skills and experience to rent and operate these machines for commercial use.
If you have ever had a license previously that proves you are a trained skid steer operator, you qualify for commercial application. For those who have records of operating heavy machines in any part of the country, it is also enough evidence that you have adequate skills to operate these machines. The law also recognises any certificate issued under the amended Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008.
You don’t have to be formally trained by a registered training organisation (R.T.O.) to prove your skills to operate a skid loader. If you were informally trained by a competent operator, and it can be verified using logbooks, it is considered proof of competency as well.
These are just some of the ways you can prove competence for commercial skid steer application purposes. There are many ways you prove adequate skills to hire and operate Bobcats for commercial use. Any genuine document that you think can prove your competence, bring it to the machine supplier.
Is Formal Skid Steer Training Important?
Although the law recognises that informally trained skid loader operators are allowed to hire and operate skid steer loaders for both private and commercial applications, formal training is the best option. As an operator without formal training, you need to provide a lot of documentation to prove your skills. The process of renting the machine is also a bit tedious.
When you enroll for a course with an R.T.O., you are issued with a Statement of Attainment certificate upon graduation. With this certificate, you can hire and operate a skid steer loader in any part of the country without anyone asking you for additional documents to prove your skills. The bottom line is that formal training is important as you are trained and assessed by professionals.
In conclusion, you don’t need a licence or a certification to rent a skid steer loader for private applications in Brisbane areas such as West Brisbane. However, if you want the machine for commercial use, you will need to prove you have adequate skills with a certificate. By renting skid loaders with Allwell Hire, a trailer will be included for your transportation.
Need more reasons to hire a skid loaders? Try our post on the benefits of skid loader hire.
