Intermediate Scaffolding (SI)
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The Intermediate Scaffolding (SI) high risk work licence is a NSW credential that sits between basic and advanced scaffolding. It is intended for people who build, alter and dismantle intermediate scaffolds on construction and industrial sites, and who need a licence to work in that class. This independent study page is organised around four equally weighted domains: the licence and regulatory framework; planning, inspecting and preparing the scaffold site; erecting, altering and dismantling intermediate scaffolds; and safe work practices, hazard control and load security. Each domain carries 25 per cent of the content, so no single topic can be skipped. The exam tests applied judgement as well as recall: reading a site, choosing a scaffold configuration, checking ties, bracing, platforms and edge protection, and recognising when a task must stop. Preparation should combine the underpinning knowledge with supervised practical experience, because written questions often describe site situations rather than definitions. Work through the domains in order, then revisit weak areas with practice questions and hands-on revision.
Important note: the SafeWork NSW source page for this licence class returned a 'Page not found' error when retrieved, so verified exam logistics such as question count, duration, pass mark, fee, retake rules and licence validity could not be confirmed from the permitted source. Those details are marked for review and should be checked directly with SafeWork NSW before you book. This page is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, SafeWork NSW or any training provider.
What you'll study
About Intermediate Scaffolding (SI) preparation
What does the Intermediate Scaffolding licence actually let me do?
It is a high risk work licence class for scaffolding work at the intermediate level, between basic and advanced. It covers erecting, altering and dismantling intermediate scaffolds. The precise scope boundaries should be confirmed against current SafeWork NSW licence class information, because the source page could not be retrieved.
How many questions are on the exam and how long do I get?
We cannot state this reliably. The permitted SafeWork NSW source page returned a 'Page not found' error, so question count and duration are unverified and flagged for review. Check the current SafeWork NSW high risk work licence pages or your registered training organisation before booking.
What is the pass mark and what happens if I fail?
Pass marks and retake rules are not confirmed in the available source and are marked for review. Assessment for high risk work licences typically involves knowledge and practical components, but do not rely on remembered figures. Confirm the current requirements with SafeWork NSW or your training provider.
How should I split my study across the four domains?
Each domain carries 25 per cent, so treat them as equal. Start with the regulatory framework so you understand duties and licence obligations, then site planning and inspection, then erection and dismantling technique, and finish with hazard control and load security. Revisit weaker domains with practice questions.
Why does site planning get a quarter of the marks?
Because most scaffold failures and incidents trace back to ground conditions, foundations, ties, bracing, clearances and exclusion zones decided before the first standard is placed. Examiners test whether you inspect the ground, check for services and access, confirm the scaffold design suits the task, and identify when conditions make erection unsafe.
What are the most common failure modes for candidates?
Weak spots usually include tie and bracing arrangements, platform and edge protection requirements, load limits and load security, and recognising when work must stop. Candidates also lose marks by answering from habit rather than reading the scenario, or by ignoring ground and foundation conditions. Practise scenario questions, not just definitions.
Is the exam hard?
Difficulty is subjective and no verified pass rate is available. The content is applied rather than purely theoretical, so candidates with supervised site experience generally find scenarios easier to interpret. Candidates who only memorise terminology tend to struggle with questions about inspection, sequencing and stopping unsafe work.
How long is the licence valid, and can I work interstate?
Validity periods and interstate arrangements are not confirmed by the available source and are flagged for review. High risk work licensing arrangements differ between jurisdictions. Check the current SafeWork NSW guidance and the licensing authority in the state or territory where you intend to work.