SAFE & SUSTAINABLE CIRCUS RIGGING INITIATIVE

These programs will support circus riggers to meet the critical need of the Victorian sector for qualified and knowledgeable riggers, and work to improve safety in circus rigging across Australia. This follows TNA’s research highlighting rigger shortages and under-qualification.

This initiative has a dedicated Program Producer on the CaPT Team. If you have questions about any of these programs, please email Christian on christian@tna.org.au.

rigging ticket upgrade program

In light of the Victorian Government initiative that is funding free and heavily subsidised High Risk Work Licenses for circus rigging until the end of 2023, we are now reworking TNA's program.

Read the full update from Christian to learn all about this exciting funding for Victoria riggers, and stay tuned for more info on TNA's updated program. 

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DIVERSE NEW RIGGERS

In TNA's 2020 Rigging Report, of 35 respondents who identified themselves as riggers, only two identified as LGBTIQ+ (6%), and none identified as either Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Cultural and Linguistically Diverse, Disabled, or based regionally. This program recognises that the cohort of circus riggers is even less diverse than the broader CaPT sector and aims to provide a pathway for diverse riggers to enter the workforce.

Two scholarships will be offered for people from underrepresented communities to undertake 12 months of professional development and training as new riggers. These scholarships will include:

  • Certificate III in Rigging (incl. Basic & Intermediate Rigging tickets and five additional High Risk Work licences)
  • Training days will be paid, with dedicated budget to ensure no applicants are precluded from participating due to access & equity barriers
  • Tailored support from TNA including brokering relationships with circus rigging elders and mentors

More information about this program will be announced in 2023, with applications opening mid-2023.

SAFETY & SUSTAINABILITY IN AUSTRALIAN CIRCUS RIGGING

Through TNA's ongoing consultation and following the 2020 Rigging Report, it is clear that there are key pressure-points currently impacting the CaPT sector with regard to rigging and safety. These include:

  • Lack of dedicated circus-rigging training:
    • 94% think there is a need for a circus industry-based certificate to demonstrate that a Rigger has circus-based competency
    • 89% of all respondents feel that there is currently a lack of trained circus-specific riggers
    • 83% of riggers would like to undertake industry-specific training
  • Lack of clarity, consistency and accountability in circus safety:
    • Survey responses indicate a clear demand for a CaPT-specific, defined, industry standard for rigging and safety.  
    • However, there are concerns as to who would be the provider of such a certification, and how the monitoring of this industry standard would happen.

Over 2023-24, TNA's Rigging Program Producer will consult with sector experts and industry bodies to:

  • Drive establishment of a circus-specific training course
  • Set up an Australian Circus Riggers Network & Circus Riggers Database
  • Investigate development of National Standards for Circus Rigging & Safety