Edition 68, June 2009

ACT to introduce construction induction and high risk work licensing standard

An announcement by the ACT Government has foreshadowed the introduction of legislation to confirm ACT participation in the following nationally agreed processes for the construction industry.

The announcement on the ACT Occupational Health and Safety Commissioner website states that:

Construction induction card

From 1 October 2009, possession of a Construction Induction card will be manadatory for work on a construction site in the ACT, in accordance with the National code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work.

All other jurisdictions are moving to adopt this code, which will be harmonised across Australia by the end of 2009. Once issued by any jurisdiction, cards will be recognised in all other jurisdictions. Thus, a card issued in NSW will be valid in the ACT and a card issued by ACT WorkCover (the Office of Regulatory Services) will be recognised in NSW.

Licensing for Persons Performing High Risk Work

The ACT is also adopting the National Standard for Persons Performing High Risk Work from 1 October 2009.

All other states and territories are also moving to adopt this standard.

The major changes in this area are:

  • Certificates of competency will be replaced by licenses. Whereas certificates were valid for life, licenses will be valid for 5 years only. After that period, license holders will need to apply for renewal of their license.
  • All training and assessment associated with the licenses must be done through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

Licenses issued by any jurisdiction will be recognised by all other jurisdictions. As the license will therefore be a national license, there will be no need to convert an ACT license for use in other states.

When a person first applies for a license, they must apply in the jurisdiction where their statement of attainment was issued.

A great deal of detail surrounding the licensing system will be finalised over coming months by the ACT's Office of Regulatory Services.

Further detail regarding how the licensing system will be implemented will be provided before 1 October 2009.

For more information visit www.worksafety.act.gov.au/news/act-introduce-construction-induction-card-and-licensing-persons-conducting-high-risk-work

This page was generated on 09 October, 2009

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