The Resources Regulator administers a certification process designed to have and maintain the minimum standards of competence for individuals.
This interconnected certification process certifies that individuals have the underpinning competence to practise in their statutory function, with requirements varying according to the function under the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation and gazettes made.
1. Determine the required certification for your specific statutory function
- Identify the specific statutory function(s) you need certification for under the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation.
- Do you require a Certificate of competence and/or practising certificate?
- Refer to the Statutory Functions page for detailed information, including individual guides on these statutory functions as well as prerequisite and written exam details.
2. Check eligibility requirements
- Confirm you meet the minimum age requirement (minimum age to be issued a certificate is 21, but you may apply before turning 21).
- Review the specific qualifications and practical experience required for your statutory function(s).
- Read the Applying for a Certificate of Competence guide and Experience Prerequisites Explained guide to understand detailed eligibility criteria and portfolio requirements.
- Attend a briefing session.
- If applying with overseas qualifications, provide evidence of proof of equivalence.
3, Apply to be examined for a certificate of competence
- Check the exam calendar for closing dates to apply by.
- Ensure that you satisfy each of the prerequisites including experience, qualifications, age and identity verification. All documentation must be certified as a true copy by an independent authorised certifier.
- Register/log in to the Regulator Portal and navigate to the Mining Worker's section.
- Complete the application. Pay an application fee and submit.
- Note: you may register to sit for an exam after you have submitted your application, which will be accepted, if your application is approved.
- For assistance with navigating the Regulator Portal, view the Help guide: Navigating the Regulator Portal (PDF, 630.41 KB).
4. Application assessment and exam registration
- The Resources Regulator assesses your application.
- If not already done so, register for your exam via the Mining Worker's section of the Regulator Portal.
- If your application is approved, you will receive an invitation to register for the written and/or oral exams with a link to pay the applicable exam fee.
5. Pass both written and oral exams (as applicable)
- Prepare for exams using provided resources and guidance.
- Attend the scheduled exams on the specified dates.
- Passing of exams is required to be granted a certificate of competence.
- If found competent, a certificate of competence is emailed to you along with a practising certificate, unless you opted out of receiving one. You can apply for a certificate later.
6. Applying for a new practising certificate
- A practising certificate allows you to legally practise in your statutory function.
- Log in to the Regulator Portal, navigate to the Mining Worker's section.
- Complete a new practising certificate application, pay an application fee and submit.
- Receive electronic certificate via the Regulator Portal.
- Note: refer to additional information if you are applying for a practising certificate and seeking recognition of an interstate or New Zealand certificate.
7. Maintenance of competence
- Fulfil ongoing learning through the period of the practising certificate's validity.
Practising certificate renewal
- Providing you have met the conditions of your certificate, including maintenance of competence, certificates require renewal approximately every 5 years.
- You should apply for renewal of your practising certificate before it expires via the Regulator Portal.
- A renewal fee is applicable.