Spotter's registration

Overview

On this page you will find the requirements for registering as a Spotter with Energy Safe Victoria.

To comply with the No Go Zone requirements, a Spotter must be used when working inside specified clearances near overhead power lines and near underground energy assets.

A Spotter is required for each item of plant or equipment operating on any work site near overhead and underground assets.

Registration

To register as a Spotter with Energy Safe Victoria you must complete an approved Spotter training course (22597VIC – Course in Workplace Spotting for Service Assets).

Spotters training courses

Several Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) provide training for Spotters in Victoria. A full list of registered Spotters training providers is provided on our website.

To be eligible to register as a Spotter with Energy Safe, you must provide your RTO with the following evidence:

• Current competency to ‘provide first aid’. Either basic (HLTAID011) or advanced (HLTAID014) first aid qualifications are acceptable.
• Current competency to ‘provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation’ (HLTAID009).
• Proof that you are over 18 years of age.
• Your high-risk licences.
• Units of competency, where they exist, with verification of your competency documentation.
• Any other relevant training, competency and experience as described below.

Evidence of training, competency or experience

For items of plant where there is no formal WorkSafe Victoria operating competency, you must provide your RTO with evidence of your training, competency assessment or experience to obtain a Spotters registration card for each item of plant, for example:

• an elevated work platform < 11 metres
• a vehicle mounted crane < 10 tonne / metres
• other plant where there is no formal operating competency.

Once you have provided the appropriate information to your RTO, your Spotter's registration card will be sent to your residential address or work address (depending on the details you provided to the RTO) by Energy Safe.

Interstate Spotters

Out-of-state Spotters who want to work in Victoria

Energy Safe only accepts registrations from Spotters who have completed 22597VIC – Course in Workplace Spotting for Service Assets. The No Go Zone framework in Victoria is different to other states.

Victorian Spotters who want to work in other states

If you are a registered Spotter in Victoria and you want to work in another state, please contact the relevant state regulator to find out what their requirements are.

Registration profile

If you are a registered Spotter, you can access your registration profile through the Spotter’s portal.

On the Spotter’s portal you can:

• view and update your residential and postal addresses
• change your contact phone numbers
• change your contact email address.

You can also view details of your training undertaken and first aid requirements. However, updating these details needs to be done through the RTO listed on your profile.

For instructions on getting started in the Spotters portal, please read:

Registration renewal

If you are a registered Spotter seeking to renew your registration, you must:

• attend a Spotter's training course with an RTO within 3 months of the expiry date of your Spotter's registration card
• provide your RTO with documentation verifying any new competencies achieved and your current first aid and CPR documentation.

Once Energy Safe receives this updated information from the RTO, a new registration card will be sent to your residential or work address by Energy Safe.

Reissue of lost or stolen registration cards

A completed statutory declaration is required for the reissue of a registration card which is lost, stolen or has not been received. Please complete the statutory declaration form on our website:

Alternatively, you can obtain a statutory declaration from:

• a police station
• a post office
• the myGov website or app
• the Attorney-General's Department
• the Victorian Justice Department.

The declaration must state your registered address and the Spotter registration number of the card to be reissued (if known).

Send your completed statutory declaration to Energy Safe by email: licensing@energysafe.vic.gov.au.

Competency classes applied to Spotter registration cards

Two new classes of equipment were added for Spotters in 2025.

1. UGM class: underground machinery

UGM class has been added to assist in applying a class that is used for spotting machinery that can disturb, excavate or penetrate the ground deeper than 300 mm and has no overhead operational envelope that can encroach on the overhead No Go Zone.

2. TV class: Non-slewing telehandlers (greater than 3 tonnes)

The TV class has been included to match WorkSafe Victoria’s High Risk Work licence for this machinery.

Your competency classes are detailed on the front of your Spotter registration cards.

Notes:

• The list of competency classes on the rear of Spotter registration cards does not contain all competency classes.
• For additional classes to be added to your Spotter's card, you need to provide evidence (for example, of your training, competency assessment or experience) for the addition of a class to the RTO where you last completed training. The RTO can then add the class to your registration and a new card will be mailed to you.

The full list of competency classes that can be applied are listed here:

⁽¹⁾ A person with a Dogman or Rigger class on their Spotter's registration card may act as a Spotter for any type of plant (without holding a ticket or demonstrating competence and experience for that item of plant).

Important information when using a Spotter

When doing work that requires a Spotter, make sure that all relevant safe systems of work are followed. These include, but are not limited to:

• Permit to Work assessments
• Dial Before You Dig enquiries
• Job Safety Analysis/Assessments (JSA)
• Hazard and Risk Assessments and Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS).

These must be documented, completed and communicated prior to the commencement of each project, and the Spotter should be provided with an appropriate copy of the documents for the spotting task that is to be undertaken.

A ‘permit to work in the vicinity of electrical apparatus’ should be issued by the electrical distribution or traction company, when work is to be undertaken closer than 3 metres from any overhead electric line. All work should be undertaken with reference to the following WorkSafe Victoria documents:

• Using powered mobile plant near overhead assets
• Guide for undertaking work near underground services
• Using earthmoving equipment near overhead electrical assets 

Spotter service providers

Note: This is a referral service only. Energy Safe does not endorse or have commercial arrangements with these providers.

Top add your business to this list, email your contact details to: licensing@energysafe.vic.gov.au.