SafeWork NSW offering free quad bike safety training for kids

SafeWork NSW Offering Free Quad Bike Safety Training for Kids

SafeWork NSW has partnered with a local agricultural college to deliver free quad bike safety training for young people aged 16 years and over. Tocal College will host a free one-day quad bike training program designed to reduce risk for students working around high-risk vehicles on farms and other workplaces.

Minister for Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said young people would be taught how to operate high-risk vehicles safely, addressing a serious health and risk concern facing rural communities across New South Wales.

"These types of vehicles can be dangerous, and that is why this Youth Week we are encouraging young people to take part in this free training. Students and their teachers will be taught how to safely use and maintain quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles," Ms Petinos said.

"Tragically, since 2011, there have been 168 quad bike deaths in the country, 43 of those in New South Wales. 15 percent of fatalities are children under the age of 16."

"Safety is our first priority, so we must ensure students using these vehicles are protected and are learning the best safety practices."

Why This Training Matters for Workplace Health and Risk Management

Quad bikes remain among the highest risk vehicles used across agricultural and rural workplaces in NSW. Reducing risk exposure for younger workers supports broader efforts to improve workplace health outcomes on farms, as highlighted in our coverage of how NSW farms are reminded to make quad bike safety a top priority.

Employers and training providers should treat this initiative as part of a wider risk management strategy, not a standalone solution. Combining hands-on training with structured resources gives young workers a stronger foundation for safe vehicle operation.

Supporting Resources for Employers and Training Providers

Beyond formal training, businesses can strengthen their safety approach with practical resources such as job safety analysis tools and standard operating procedures. Our Digital JSA template helps supervisors identify risk factors before young workers operate vehicles on-site.

For broader context on how NSW is investing in agricultural workforce health, see our report on the NSW farm safety training program aimed at enhancing outcomes for agricultural workers. Younger audiences benefit from early exposure to safety concepts too, much like the initiative described in our piece on NSW kids learning about electricity safety.

Read the full story on the SafeWork NSW website.