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Bluetron is your partner in workplace safety
Changes to High Risk Work Licensing in Australia
In Queensland:
From 1 January 2012, QLD will move to nationally harmonised WHS Laws, which will involve changes to the existing occupational licensing arrangements in QLD. Following implementation of the new legislation, a licence will not be required for occupational classes falling under the earthmoving and particular crane (EPC) category in QLD or any other state or territory. There are changes to high risk work (HRW) licensing, including a new class of licence for Reach Stacker and the classes for Boiler Operators have been reduced from basic, intermediate and advanced to only two classes (Standard and Advanced).
The following WHSQ courses are due to expire on 31 December 2011:
- 30494 QLD Course in Self-Erecting Tower Crane Operations
- 30496 QLD Course in Operating Loadshifting Equipment
- 30497 QLD Course in Operating Cranes, Rigging and Scaffolding Equipment
- 30498 QLD Course in Operation Pressure Equipment
Application by WHSQ to have these courses extended until 30 June 2012 has now been approved to facilitate the RTO's transition to the National Units of Competency. Although the 30496QLD course is still available from 1 January 2012, only a Statement of Attainment can be issued for those units in the EPC category. This is because the course was included in the extension as Classes LF and LO are high risk work licences. HRW Assessors who hold current assessor status in QLD will still be authorised to assess in QLD until 31 December 2012.
In the Australian Capital Territory:
From 01 July 2011, major changes in the ACT have occurred with regard to licensing.
If you have an old style Certificate of Competency time is running out. Check with your State Regulator to see if it has expired.
The expiry date of an ACT Certificate of Competency is determined by reference to the date of issue on the most recent version of the certificate. Check the date of issue of your certificate and then refer to the table below:
Date of Issue Shown on Certificate Expiry Date
Before 1 January 2001 30 June 2010
Between 1 January 2001 - 31 December 2004 30 June 2011
Between 1 January 2005 - 30 June 2009 30 June 2012
Between 1 July 2009 - 30 June 2011 30 June 2014
High Risk Work Licences must now be obtained through training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that has the relevant Licensing Unit on their scope of registration and has entered into an agreement with Worksafe ACT Commissioner for delivery in the ACT. The current arrangements are interim arrangements until the new Worksafe Legislation comes into force on 01 January 2012.
We are pleased to announce that Bluetron has entered into partnership agreements with six Nationally Registered Training Organisations in order to continue to provide a quality service for High Risk Work Licensing in the ACT.
Class RTO Status
LF - Forklift Truck Ready
LO - Order Picking Forklift Truck Ready
CB - Bridge and Gantry Crane NOT READY
CV - Vehicle Loading Crane (10 Metre tonnes or more capacity) NOT READY
HM - Materials Hoist Ready
HP - Personnel and Materials Hoist Ready
WP - Boom Type Elevating Work Platform (Boom length 11 metres or more) Ready
For persons operating Load Shifting Equipment, there is no longer a requirement for persons to hold a Certificate of Competency to operate the following types of load shifting plant in the ACT:
- a dragline
- an excavator
- a front-end loader
- a front-end loader/backhoe, or
- a front-end loader of the skid-steer type (for example, a bobcat)
Workers will still require evidence of training. Bluetron has experienced assessors for this type of plant, who can conduct the training and also the Verification of Competency (VOC) to meet these requirements.
We are one of the first to provide evidence of training and VOC Cards.
The new National Standard for High Risk Work requires that employers provide additional training on the equipment relevant to the workplace, training must be documented. We can conduct on-site assessments and issue a durable PVC card and record the assessment in indivdual Skills Porfolios to meet the evidence requirements.
In New South Wales:
WorkCover New South Wales have recently announced that, with effect 30 September 2011, NSW will no longer require operators to hold a certificate of competency for the following plant:
LL Front-end Loader
LB Front-end Loader/Backhoe
LS Front-end Loader of the Skid-steer Type
LE Excavator
NSW will require that after 30 September 2011, the employer (or controller) must ensure the operator is competent to do their job safely and must also assess that an operator's competency is appropriate for the complexity of the work and conditions of the worksite.
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Bluetron assessors can provide VOC cards and evidence for operators to meet the new earthmoving plant requirements anywhere in Australia*.
For National Licences to Perform High Risk Work, LF LO CB CV HP HM WP, we are able to assist you through our partnership arrangements with six Nationally Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).
Now is the time to start gathering evidence of you experience. In the new era, your skills portfolio will be worth it's weight in gold.
Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding these or any other of our services.
You can contact us:
 
By telephone: + 61 2 6262 2557 By email: admin@bluetron.com.au
* Denotes conditions apply
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