# Permit to Work (/docs/form-guides/building/national/national-permit-to-work)



A Permit to Work authorises a defined task at a defined place for a set time. Fill it with the worker before the task starts. Download the issued copy, keep the draft, then reopen it after the work to record the close-out.

This is a Tradie Forms designed record, not a government form. Check the client, principal contractor, and site procedure before use. A permit does not replace a SWMS, JSA, isolation procedure, or specialised permit the work still needs.

<RelatedForm slug="national-hot-works-permit">
  Doing welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, soldering, or open-flame work? Use
</RelatedForm>

<Callout type="warn" className="docs-callout-warn my-4">
  Do not issue the permit until the three critical controls are confirmed Yes: the area is assessed, workers are briefed, and the SWMS or JSA is in place.
</Callout>

<span id="before-you-start" />

## Before you start [#before-you-start]

<GatherList>
  <Gather title="The exact work area">
    Use a practical location such as `Roof plant room` or `Level 2 switch room`, with the site address when useful.
  </Gather>

  <Gather title="The authorised task">
    A short, specific description of the work covered by this permit. Leave unrelated tasks out.
  </Gather>

  <Gather title="The validity window">
    The date and time the permit starts and the date and time it expires.
  </Gather>

  <Gather title="The task controls">
    The SWMS or JSA, isolations, PPE, barriers, emergency arrangements, and any other permit needed.
  </Gather>

  <Gather title="The two signatories">
    The person issuing the permit and the worker or supervisor accepting the work.
  </Gather>
</GatherList>

<span id="permit" />

## Permit [#permit]

Set the scope and validity before anyone signs.

<Fields>
  <Field name="Business Logo (Shown top right on the downloaded permit)" type="Photo" requirement="optional">
    Upload your business logo if you want it on the finished PDF.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Business Name" type="Text" requirement="required">
    The business issuing or controlling the permit.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Permit Number" type="Text" requirement="optional">
    Your site or business reference, such as `PTW-2026-041`.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Site or Address" type="Text" requirement="required">
    Name the exact work area. A full postal address is not required.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Work Description" type="Textarea" requirement="required">
    State the task this permit authorises. Keep it narrow enough that the worker can tell when the scope changes.

    <WorkedExample good="Replace damaged roof sheeting beside the northern plant platform." bad="Roof work" />
  </Field>

  <Field name="Valid From Date" type="Date" requirement="required">
    The day the permit becomes active.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Valid From Time" type="Text" requirement="required">
    Use a clear 24-hour time such as `7:00` or `07:00`.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Valid To Date" type="Date" requirement="required">
    The permit cannot end before its start date.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Valid To Time" type="Text" requirement="required">
    The time the permit expires, such as `15:30`.
  </Field>
</Fields>

<SavedDetail name="Business" reuse="next permit" />

<span id="controls" />

## Controls [#controls]

Answer all eight checks. Items 1, 2, and 8 must be **Yes**. Use N/A only on the other controls when they genuinely do not apply.

<Fields>
  <Field name="Controls Checklist" type="ChecklistItems" requirement="optional">
    Check the area assessment, worker briefing, isolations, barricades, PPE, emergency arrangements, other permits, and the SWMS or JSA with the worker before issue.
  </Field>
</Fields>

<span id="hazards" />

## Hazards [#hazards]

Add hazards and controls that are not already clear from the checklist. Long lists continue onto extra PDF pages.

<Fields>
  <Field name="Hazards and Additional Controls" type="TableRows" requirement="optional">
    Each row needs both the hazard and the matching control. Write what can cause harm, then the action that reduces that risk.
  </Field>
</Fields>

<span id="authorisation" />

## Authorisation [#authorisation]

Both signatures are required on the issued copy.

<Fields>
  <Field name="Issued By Name" type="Text" requirement="required">
    The person authorised to issue the permit for the site or business.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Issued By Date" type="Date" requirement="required">
    The date the permit is issued. The issuer can use a saved signature.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Issued By Signature" type="Signature" requirement="required">
    Sign after checking the scope, validity, and controls with the worker.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Accepted By Name" type="Text" requirement="required">
    The person doing or supervising the authorised work.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Accepted By Date" type="Date" requirement="required">
    The date the worker accepts the permit.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Accepted By Signature" type="Signature" requirement="required">
    Capture this signature on the spot. It does not prefill from the issuer's saved signature.
  </Field>
</Fields>

<span id="closeOut" />

## Close-out [#close-out]

Leave this section empty on the issued copy. After the work, reopen the saved draft and complete the close-out.

<Fields>
  <Field name="Close-out Status" type="RadioGroup" requirement="optional">
    Choose **Work complete, area left safe** or **Permit cancelled**. Once selected, the close-out name, date, and signature become required.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Close-out Name" type="Text" requirement="optional">
    The person checking and closing or cancelling the permit.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Close-out Date" type="Date" requirement="optional">
    The day the permit ended.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Close-out Time" type="Text" requirement="optional">
    The time the permit ended. This stays useful even though only the name, date, and signature are conditionally required.
  </Field>

  <Field name="Close-out Signature" type="Signature" requirement="optional">
    Required once a close-out status is selected.
  </Field>
</Fields>

## Common mistakes [#common-mistakes]

<Mistakes>
  <Mistake title="Writing a broad scope.">
    `General maintenance` does not define the authorised task. Name the equipment, work, and area.
  </Mistake>

  <Mistake title="Using N/A on a critical control.">
    The area assessment, worker briefing, and SWMS or JSA must all be confirmed Yes.
  </Mistake>

  <Mistake title="Treating the permit as the risk assessment.">
    Keep the SWMS or JSA and any isolation or specialised permit with the job.
  </Mistake>

  <Mistake title="Never returning for close-out.">
    Keep the draft open until the work area is checked and the final permit is downloaded.
  </Mistake>
</Mistakes>

## Before download [#before-download]

<Checklist>
  <Check>
    The task, location, and validity window are specific and correct
  </Check>

  <Check>
    All eight controls are answered and the three critical controls are Yes
  </Check>

  <Check>
    Every added hazard has a matching control
  </Check>

  <Check>
    The issuer and worker names, dates, and signatures are complete
  </Check>

  <Check>
    The first download leaves Close-out empty
  </Check>
</Checklist>

## After download [#after-download]

Give the issued copy to the worker or supervisor and keep it with the job. When the work ends, reopen the draft, add the close-out, download the final PDF, and keep both copies together.

## Related guides [#related-guides]

<Cards className="docs-cards docs-cards-cols-2 my-6">
  <Card title="Hot Works Permit" href="/docs/form-guides/building/national/national-hot-works-permit">
    Add fire controls and the fire watch lifecycle for welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, or open flame.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Job Safety Analysis" href="/docs/form-guides/building/national/national-jsa">
    Record job steps, hazards, risk ratings, and controls before the task starts.
  </Card>
</Cards>