Licensing
Background
In July 2004, the former National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) commenced a review of the Certification System, comprised of the:
National Occupational Health and Safety Certification Standard for Users and Operators of Industrial Equipment [NOHSC:1006(2001)] (Certification Standard); and the supporting
National Guidelines for OHS Competency Standards for the Operation of Loadshifting Equipment and Other Types of Specified Equipment [NOHSC: 7019 (1992)] (the Guidelines).
On 6 April 2006, in response to the findings of the 2004 review that included a number of recommendations to improve the Certification (now called Licensing) System, the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) declared the new:
National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work (PDF 437 kB)(new National Standard)
National standards are of an advisory character, except where a law, other than the Australian Workplace Safety Standards Act 2005, or an instrument made under such a law, makes them mandatory. The ASCC agreed to the adoption of the new National Standard into state and territory OHS regulation by 1 July 2007.
Some States and Territories have advised they will be implementing the National Standard progressively from July 2007 through to June 2009. Further information on the implementation plans for individual States and Territories should be sourced from the relevant OHS regulator.
A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) meeting the requirements of the Office of Regulatory Review was prepared and included cost benefit analysis in relation to the following options:
Objectives and principles of the new National Standard
The objectives of the new National Standard are:
- to ensure that persons have the skills and knowledge to perform high risk work in a safe manner; and
- to facilitate the operation of a nationally uniform and efficient licensing system for persons engaged in high risk work.
Licences issued in accordance with the new National Standard will be recognised in all Australian States and Territories to promote the portability of skills and the free movement of labour across State and Territory borders.
The new National Standard provides a national policy approach for authorising the performance of high risk work and promoting safety standards relating to high risk work.
Application and Coverage of new National Standard
Classes of high risk work covered by new National Standard are listed in Table 1.
Table 1
| Crand and hoist operation |
Forklift operation |
|
|
- Self-erecting tower cranes
|
- Order-picking forklift truck
|
|
Pressure equipment operation |
|
|
|
|
|
- Reciprocating steam engine operation
|
- Non-slewing mobile cranes
|
Scaffolding work |
|
Rigging work |
|
Dogging work |
- Personnel and materials hoist
|
|
- Boom-type elevating work platform
|
|
- Vehicle-mounted concrete placing boom
|
|
Changes from the old Certification System
The new National Standard applies to high risk work currently covered by the Certification Standard. Originally declared in 1992, the Certification Standard has been uniformly adopted in OHS regulations throughout Australia.
The system of licensing persons performing high risk work is called the Licensing System and replaces the Certification System. A “certificate of competency” is now called a licence.
The key reforms are:
- Training and assessment through VET (Vocational Education & Training)
The new National Standard recognises the importance of quality training as an underpinning principle in providing skilled workers, and that the most effective form of training is a combination of informal and formal training methods.
Accordingly, the new National Standard requires training and assessment to be undertaken by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). Information on the AQTF and RTOs can be found at the Australian Department of Education, Science and Training website.
- Licences now renewable
The new National Standard requires that licences be renewed every five years on evidence of current competency in the form of a statutory declaration.
- Photographic identification on the licence
The new National Standard requires the licence be issued with a photograph of the licence holder.
- Inclusion of Forklift Truck and Self Erecting Tower Crane operation
The new National Standard requires licences be issued for the operation of forklift trucks and self erecting tower cranes.
The competency standards for forklift truck operation are currently included in the Guidelines. The Guidelines were issued to provide competency standards for the operation of certain types of equipment where continuation of OHS certification was under review or not required. Some OHS regulators have continued to license some or all the classes currently covered in the Guidelines.
The new National Standard also introduces a new licence class for self erecting tower cranes and requires self-erecting tower crane operators currently holding a tower crane certificate to, within 2 years of the adoption of this National Standard into State/Territory OHS regulations, obtain the new licence upon successful completion of training and assessment through Registered Training Organisations.
For further information on the licensing of Forklift Truck and Self Erecting Tower Crane operation contact the OHS regulator in your State/Territory.
Transition to the new Licensing System
All holders of certificates of competency or holders of qualifications issued prior to the introduction of the certification system in 1992 (“old style” certificates), will need to convert current certificates to renewable photographic licences.
Transition from the old certification system to the new will occur on a graduated basis. It is expected that all existing certificate holders will be transited to the licensing system by 1 July 2012.
The new National Standard allows a two year transition period for assessments to be conducted by RTOs under the Australian Quality Training Framework.
For further information on the transition to the new Licensing System contact the OHS regulator in your State/Territory.
Other Information and Materials
Archived information and materials from the previous Certification System can be found here.
Who to contact about Licensing Regulations
Regulation of persons performing high risk work is the responsibility of each OHS State or Territory OHS regulator. Queries on the application of those regulations should be directed to the relevant OHS State or Territory OHS regulator, whose contact details can be found here.
What’s happening next with the Licensing System?
The Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council agreed in May 2005 to a two staged review of the Certification (now called Licensing) System. The new National Standard is the outcome of the first stage. Stage 2 commenced in the second quarter of 2006 and includes a review of all classes of high risk work requiring licensing under the new National Standard.
The Office of the ASCC is continuing with the development of the new National Standard’s underpinning units of competency and assessment instruments which will be presented to the ASCC and to the National Quality Council (NQC) for endorsement when finalised. They will subsequently be added to the National Standard as a Schedule enabling their reference in State and Territory OHS regulations and will be considered appropriate for incorporation into national industry Training Packages.
Feedback
Comments on and queries about the information provided on this web site about licensing are welcome. They should be directed to the Office of the ASCC using info@ascc.gov.au.
Page last updated: 03/09/2009