TSHA
TSHA is a not-for-profit Australian industry association founded in 1987 that administers the Gold Card telehandler operator certification, aligned to the national RIIHAN309F competency standard, through 200+ accredited trainers serving Australia's rental, construction, and equipment manufacturing sectors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersSydney, NSW, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What TSHA does
TSHA (Telescopic Handler Association of Australia) is a not-for-profit industry association founded in 1987 and headquartered in Mona Vale, New South Wales, with a national office of approximately eight staff. The association administers the Gold Card, the Australian industry's principal operator certification scheme for telehandlers, aligned to the national unit of competency RIIHAN309F. Its core product is a credentialing system: candidates are trained by a network of 200+ TSHA-Accredited Trainers, assessed against the Gold Card standard, and issued a wallet card (or, since August 2024, a Digital Gold Card delivered to a mobile wallet). Since inception TSHA states it has trained more than 500,000 operators.
The business model is membership- and accreditation-funded rather than transaction-funded. Revenue is generated from annual membership dues (A$490/yr), trainer accreditation fees (A$700 one-time plus A$125/yr), physical card replacement (A$35), and digital card issuance (A$5.50). Go-to-market is conducted through a decentralized trainer network rather than direct sales, supported by member organisations including the major Australian rental companies and OEMs/distributors such as Manitou, JCB, JLG and Sinoboom. Underlying infrastructure consists of the National Training Database, which records operator credentials, and digital credentialing delivered via mobile wallet.
TSHA's positioning is that of a standards body rather than a commercial operator. It maintains the Good Practice Guide for telehandler operation (v3 published August 2025), holds the Yellow Card trademark, and operates cross-recognition and joint training arrangements with peer associations EWPA (Elevating Work Platform Association) and HRIA (Hire and Rental Industry Association), plus liaison with State WorkSafe authorities and international bodies including IPAF. Distribution extensions in 2024–2026 have included partnerships with Kennards Hire, engagement with Sinoboom and HRIA on electrification training, and side-by-side telehandler/EWP training with EWPA.
TSHA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TSHA
- Legal name
- Telescopic Handler Association of Australia Inc.
- Website
- https://tsha.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- TSHA is a not-for-profit Australian industry association founded in 1987 that administers the Gold Card telehandler operator certification, aligned to the national RIIHAN309F competency standard, through 200+ accredited trainers serving Australia's rental, construction, and equipment manufacturing sectors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TSHA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Safety Training and Certification
- NAICS
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Welding Codes, Safety & Compliance Training (AWS/ASME/OSHA) (EDAOADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)
Keywords
Where TSHA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sydney, NSW
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
TSHA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Annual membership fee of $490 (inc GST) per financial year for member organisations including rental companies, manufacturers, suppliers, end-users, trainers, and service companies.
- Gold Card Training Program: Train the Trainer Accreditation Course (one-time $700 fee) and Annual Accredited Trainer licence ($125/year). Operators pay separately to trainers for Gold Card training.
- Stationery and Card Products: Sale of TSHA stationery products including maintenance logbooks, summary statement cards, red pouches. Replacement cards (printed $35, digital $5.50), renewals ($57).
- Business Support Services: Association provides insurance and risk management advice, HR and workplace relations advice, accounting and business advisory services as member benefits.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Membership |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Train the Trainer Accreditation Course |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Accredited Trainer Licence |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Gold Card Renewal |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Digital Gold Card |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Printed Replacement Gold Card |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Stationery Products |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
TSHA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TSHA is a not-for-profit industry association that delivers the Gold Card Operator Licence Training Program for telescopic materials handlers (telehandlers) across Australia. The program provides nationally recognised operator certification aligned to Unit of Competence RIIHAN309F, covering safety, hazard evaluation, pre-operational checks, and operation of various telehandler types and attachments. Training is delivered through a network of over 200 Accredited Trainers, with credentials valid for five years and renewable online.
Product overview
TSHA (Telescopic Handler Association of Australia) is a not-for-profit industry association that offers a portfolio of products and services centered on the Gold Card operator training and certification programme for telehandlers. The core offering is the Gold Card training programme, which provides structured certification covering safety, hazard evaluation, pre-operational checks, and operation of various telehandler types and attachments (forks, crane jibs, earthmoving buckets, work platforms). This is supported by the Digital Gold Card for electronic wallet storage, printed replacement cards, training course access through a national network of Accredited Trainers, and online verification services. Additional offerings include the Good Practice Guide, Information Sheets (safety guidelines, inspection checklists), TSHA Stationery products, the Online Library for members, and the Accredited Trainer programme for those seeking to deliver Gold Card training. The Gold Card programme is aligned to RIIHAN309F unit of competence and is widely accepted across Australian industry sectors including agriculture, mining, construction, logistics, and waste management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- TSHA Gold Card Operator Licence National operator training and certification programme for Telescopic Materials Handlers (telehandlers), covering safety, hazard evaluation, pre-operational checks, and operation of various telehandler and attachment combinations including forks, crane jibs, earthmoving buckets, and work platforms. Cards are valid for 5 years and can be renewed online.
- TSHA Digital Gold Card Digital version of the Gold Card operator licence stored in smartphone wallets, providing electronic proof of telehandler operator certification with the same validity as the physical card. Available for $5.50 for current non-expired Gold Cards.
- Accredited Trainer Programme Train-the-trainer certification programme enabling qualified individuals to become TSHA Accredited Trainers authorised to deliver Gold Card training and issue operator licences. Requires specific qualifications, experience, and completion of the Train the Trainer course ($700 one-time fee) plus an annual trainer licence ($125/year).
- TSHA Gold Card Training Courses National network of training courses delivered by TSHA Accredited Trainers covering telehandler operations, available in multiple Australian states with various attachment specialisations. Operators can search and book training through the TSHA website.
- TSHA Gold Card Verification Service Online verification tool for employers and site supervisors to verify operator licence numbers and confirm validity of Gold Cards through the National Training Database.
- TSHA Membership Annual membership ($490 inc GST per financial year) for organisations in the telescopic handler industry, including rental companies, manufacturers, suppliers, end-users, trainers, and service companies. Includes access to member portal, Australian Standards, accredited trainer network, events, resources, and business support services.
- TSHA Stationery Products Specialised stationery products for members including Red Pouches ($56.76), TSH Summary Statement Cards ($17.60 pack of 10), and Telescopic Handler Routine Maintenance Logbooks ($24.75).
- TSHA Gold Card Replacement Service Physical replacement Gold Card service for lost, damaged, or additional cards. Costs $35 for printed replacement delivered via Australia Post. Cards issued prior to 2014 without expiry date cannot be replaced.
- TSHA Gold Card Renewal Service Online renewal assessment for expired Gold Cards, allowing operators to extend their certification for another five years without retaking face-to-face training. Available within 12 months of expiry at $57 inclusive of GST.
Quantifiable outcome
- 500,000+ operators trained since 1987
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use TSHA
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
TSHA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
TSHA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Elevating Work Platform Association (EWPA)coreTSHA operates side by side with the EWPA. The TSHA Gold Card program is administered through EWPA systems including the Yellow Card portal and training database. Both associations share infrastructure, member services portal, and operate from the same National Office location.
- Hire and Rental Industry Association (HRIA)coreTSHA partners with HRIA for annual conventions and industry events. The HRIA Convention features presentations from TSHA and is where the TSHA Accredited Trainer of the Year award is presented. TSHA provides links to HRIA events and resources on its website.
- International Powered Access Federation (IPAF)minorInternational federation for powered access industry. Listed as related organisation providing global industry connections and standards alignment.
- Australian State WorkSafe AuthoritiescoreTSHA maintains relationships with SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe VIC, WorkSafe WA, Safe Work SA, Work Safe QLD, WorkSafe TAS, WorkSafe NT, and WorkSafe ACT for regulatory alignment and safety standards development.
- Standards AustraliaminorTSHA provides access to Australian Standards through its member portal and maintains alignment with relevant standards for the telescopic handler industry.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
TSHA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
TSHA social profiles
Digital presenceTSHA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TSHA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
TSHA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TSHA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about TSHA
What does TSHA do?
TSHA is a not-for-profit industry association that delivers the Gold Card Operator Licence Training Program for telescopic materials handlers (telehandlers) across Australia. The program provides nationally recognised operator certification aligned to Unit of Competence RIIHAN309F, covering safety, hazard evaluation, pre-operational checks, and operation of various telehandler types and attachments. Training is delivered through a network of over 200 Accredited Trainers, with credentials valid for five years and renewable online.
Is TSHA a public or private company?
TSHA is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was TSHA founded?
TSHA was founded in 1987. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is TSHA based?
TSHA is headquartered in Sydney, NSW, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does TSHA make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are gold Card Training Program, stationery and Card Products and business Support Services.
Does TSHA have an API?
No public API is recorded for TSHA.
What industry is TSHA in?
TSHA's product category is Industrial Safety Training and Certification. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOADAG, Welding Codes, Safety & Compliance Training (AWS/ASME/OSHA), with a secondary code of BPADANAD, Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation. Its NAICS code is 541690 and its SIC code is 8734.