Key takeaways
- Before you hire a traffic control company, confirm its controllers hold the right training cards for your state and that it will provide a SWMS.
- Ask who prepares the traffic guidance scheme, who applies for permits, and which version of the state manual or standard the plan follows.
- Get minimum charges, overtime increments, cancellation terms and travel fees in writing to avoid invoice surprises.
- Check capacity and communication: how bookings are confirmed, who the on-site contact is and how timesheets or dockets are signed.
- The cheapest hourly rate rarely produces the cheapest or safest job; compare total cost and reliability.
To hire a traffic control company well, check three things before price: that its controllers hold the right cards for your state, that it can provide a compliant traffic guidance scheme and SWMS for your job, and that its pricing, minimums and cancellation terms are clear in writing. The 12 questions below cover everything worth asking before you book.
I have sat on both sides of this conversation: taking bookings from builders, councils and utilities, and booking subcontract crews when our own were stretched. The jobs that go wrong are rarely about the hourly rate. They go wrong because nobody confirmed who was doing the plan, the crew turned up to a different scope, or the invoice included charges nobody discussed. These questions are designed to surface those problems before the first cone goes out.
Before you ring around: what to have ready
You will get faster, more accurate answers if you can give every provider the same information:
- Site address and the exact section of road or footpath affected.
- Dates, preferred start time and expected duration, including any flexibility.
- A short description of the work and the plant involved (excavator, crane, concrete pump, EWP).
- Whether you already have a traffic guidance scheme (TGS), traffic management plan (TMP) or permits.
- Any restrictions you know about: clearways, bus routes, school zones, event days, council work hours.
- Site contact name and phone number.
If you are unsure whether you need a plan, read what a traffic guidance scheme is and when you need one first. It will save a round of back-and-forth.
The 12 questions to ask a traffic control company
1. Do your controllers hold current cards for this state?
Traffic control training differs by state. In NSW, SafeWork NSW issues traffic control work training cards under the WHS Regulation, and an employer must not direct a worker to do traffic control work without the right card. Common NSW card types are Traffic Controller (TC) and Implement Traffic Control Plans (ITCP). Queensland, Victoria and the other states have their own requirements. Ask how the company checks cards, and whether controllers also hold a white card for construction sites. For more on NSW cards, see our guide to the traffic control ticket in NSW.
2. Who prepares the traffic guidance scheme, and are they qualified?
A TGS must be prepared by a suitably qualified person. In NSW, that is commonly someone who has completed Prepare a Work Zone Traffic Management Plan (PWZTMP) training; check current requirements for your road authority. Ask whether the plan is site-specific or a standard layout, and whether it is included in the price.
3. Which manual or standard will the plan follow?
In NSW, Transport for NSW replaced the Traffic Control at Work Sites Technical Manual (Issue 6.1) with TS 05492:1.0 Traffic Control at Work Sites on 25 June 2026. Some councils and contracts still reference older documents. A good provider will ask which document your project specifies rather than assume. Our article on TS 05492 and what changed from TCAWS explains the transition.
4. Who applies for permits, and how long will they take?
Ask who lodges road occupancy and council applications, whether there is a fee, and what lead time the provider is seeing right now. Work on NSW state roads often needs a road occupancy licence, and council roads may need council approval, so build that lead time into your program.
5. Will you provide a SWMS for this job?
Work on or next to a road used by traffic is high-risk construction work, so a safe work method statement (SWMS) is required before work starts. Ask to see the traffic control SWMS, and how it fits with your own site SWMS and induction.
6. What is your minimum charge, and how is overtime billed?
Minimums of 4 hours per controller are common, often 6 to 8 hours for vehicles and plant operators. Ask how time beyond the booking is charged (for example in half-hour or hourly blocks), and what triggers night, weekend or public holiday rates. Our explainer on minimum shift charges covers the reasons behind them.
7. What is your cancellation and weather policy?
Rain, plant breakdowns and failed concrete tests happen. Ask the cancellation notice period, what you pay inside it, and what happens if the crew arrives and the job is called off on site.
8. What is included, and what is extra?
Signs, cones and a standard vehicle are often included. Truck-mounted attenuators, VMS boards, arrow boards, lighting towers, travel, plans and permits are often extra. Get every item on the written quote. Our traffic control quote checklist lists the line items to check.
9. Do you have capacity on my dates, including the back-up plan?
Ask how many crews the company runs, whether it uses subcontractors, and what happens if a controller calls in sick. A provider with a reliable roster and spare capacity is worth more than a cheaper one that cannot fill your shift.
10. How do you manage fatigue and long shifts?
Long and night shifts are a real hazard on the road. SafeWork NSW's Code of Practice on managing the risk of fatigue at work commenced on 20 February 2026. Ask how the company limits hours and rest between shifts, especially if your job runs consecutive night works.
11. What insurance do you hold?
Ask for current certificates of currency for public liability and workers' compensation, and check that the limits meet your contract. Principal contractors and councils often specify minimums.
12. How are timesheets and dockets recorded and signed?
Ask whether you will receive a signed daily docket showing names, start and finish times, breaks and equipment used. Digital dockets with times and locations make invoices easy to check and dramatically reduce disputes. Check one before you sign it, every day, rather than at the end of the month.
Printable checklist: hiring a traffic control company
| Check | What a good answer looks like | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Cards | Correct state cards and white card, checked by the company | ☐ |
| TGS | Prepared by a suitably qualified person, site-specific where needed | ☐ |
| Manual/standard | Provider asks which document your project specifies | ☐ |
| Permits | Clear who lodges, the fee and the expected lead time | ☐ |
| SWMS | Traffic control SWMS provided before work starts | ☐ |
| Minimums | Minimum hours stated per person and per vehicle | ☐ |
| Overtime | Billing increments and penalty rate triggers stated | ☐ |
| Cancellation | Notice period and on-site cancellation charges stated | ☐ |
| Inclusions | Equipment, travel, plans and permits itemised | ☐ |
| Capacity | Back-up plan for sick calls and extra shifts | ☐ |
| Fatigue | Hour and rest limits for long or night shifts | ☐ |
| Insurance | Certificates of currency meet your contract | ☐ |
| Dockets | Signed daily dockets with times and equipment | ☐ |
Red flags when hiring traffic control
Some answers should make you slow down:
- "You don't need a plan for that." If the work affects traffic on a public road, you almost always need a TGS. Be wary of anyone dismissing it without looking at the site.
- No written quote. Verbal prices lead to arguments about minimums and extras.
- Can't produce card details or insurance certificates. Legitimate providers can do this quickly.
- Vague about who is on site. You should know who the team leader is and how to reach them.
- Pressure to cut the crew below what the TGS shows. The plan sets the number of controllers for a reason.
On the day: what a well-run crew does
A good indicator of the company you have hired is how the first morning goes. Expect the team leader to:
- Arrive on time and check in with your site supervisor.
- Walk the site against the TGS and confirm nothing has changed (new driveways, parked cars, a bus stop the plan missed).
- Run a pre-start briefing covering the TGS, the SWMS, radio channels, escape routes and who is in charge.
- Do radio checks between controllers before traffic is stopped.
- Install signs from the approach side in the order shown on the plan, uncovering signs only when the site is ready.
- Inspect the set-up at the start of the shift and at suitable intervals during it, recording it on the project forms.
- Pack down in reverse order, cover or remove signs that no longer apply, and complete the docket for your signature.
If you are not seeing these basics, raise it with the company early.
Where to check rules and requirements
Requirements change and vary by state. For current information, check with SafeWork NSW or your state WHS regulator, your road authority such as Transport for NSW, and the national guidance published by Austroads. This article is general information, not legal or safety advice.
Next steps
Send the same scope to two or three providers, run through the 12 questions, and compare the written answers alongside the price. If you run a traffic control company yourself, TrafWise helps you answer most of these questions on the spot with rostering, card checks, SWMS sign-off and signed digital dockets in one system.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for when hiring a traffic control company?
Look for properly carded controllers for your state, current insurance, a SWMS for your work, a suitably qualified person to prepare the traffic guidance scheme, clear written pricing including minimums and extras, reliable capacity on your dates, and signed daily dockets. References from similar jobs are also useful.
Do traffic controllers need a licence in NSW?
Yes. In NSW, SafeWork NSW issues traffic control work training cards, and an employer must not direct a worker to do traffic control work without the right card. Common card types are Traffic Controller and Implement Traffic Control Plans. Check current requirements with SafeWork NSW or a registered training organisation.
How far in advance should I book a traffic control company?
As early as you can. Lead times vary by provider, city, season and job size, and jobs needing a traffic guidance scheme or road occupancy approval need extra time for the paperwork. Short-notice bookings are sometimes possible but can cost more. Ask each provider for its current lead time.
Does the traffic control company or the builder apply for permits?
It depends on the contract. Many traffic control companies prepare the traffic guidance scheme and lodge road occupancy or council applications for the client, often for a fee. Others expect the principal contractor to handle permits. Agree in writing who applies, who pays and who holds the approval.
Is the cheapest traffic control quote the best option?
Not necessarily. A low hourly rate can be offset by higher minimums, travel, equipment extras or an under-sized crew that needs topping up on the day. Compare the expected total, the inclusions, and the provider's reliability and compliance before deciding.