Edition 71, October 2009

SA information sessions on high risk system

SafeWork SA will be conducting information sessions in locations across South Australia during October and November on the implementation of the new high risk licensing system.

SafeWork SA is advising that people who perform high risk work will be affected by licensing changes to be introduced in South Australia in early 2010 when the National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work 2006 becomes law in SA (adoption date subject to Government approval).

The Standard introduces nationally recognised Licences to Perform High Risk Work across 29 licence areas with the aim of making workplaces where high risk work is performed safer.

The changes will also make the training, assessment and licensing of high risk work consistent across Australia.

Expected changes include: 

  • a new type of licence - a small plastic card with photo identification similar to a driver's licence, that will be consistent and valid across Australia
  • a person must be aged 18 years or older to obtain a new Licence
  • a transition period of up to five years, depending on the issue date of a person's existing Certificate of Competency or 'ticket'
  • renewal of the new licence every five years subject to evidence of skills and competencies being maintained
  • if you have a pre-3 April 1995 'ticket' you will have 12 months from the adoption date to convert. Those with a post-3 April 1995 'ticket' will have two years or more from the adoption date to convert.
  • the operation of forklifts and order-picking forklifts will be defined as high risk work which means that existing 'ticket' holders will need to apply for the new Licence.
  • the operation of a self-erecting tower crane will be defined as a new class of high risk work
  • Registered Assessors will need to work for, be affiliated with, or be a Registered Training Organisation.

Until the new system is introduced the existing licensing requirements remain. Those who are currently qualified can continue using their existing Certificates of Competency and 'tickets'. People can also continue to be trained and assessed for a prescribed occupation until the new Licences are introduced.

For more information on the information sessions and further detail of the implementation of the new system in South Australia visit www.safework.sa.gov.au/show_page.jsp?id=7731

This page was generated on 30 October, 2009

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