Published Monday, 11 June, 2007 at 09:44 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
CHANGES TO QUEENSLAND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING FROM 1 JULY
Queensland’s system for the training, assessment and licensing of high risk occupations will undergo substantial change from 1 July 2007 in line with new national safety standards.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said that from 1 July 2007 anyone wanting an occupational licence from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland must undertake formal and informal training and be assessed for competency by a registered training organisation (RTO).
“Workers in high risk occupations and their employers will be affected by the new licensing laws, including scaffolders, doggers, riggers, crane and hoist operators, load shifting equipment operators, and pressure equipment operators,” Mr Mickel said.
“This is part of a national agreement between workplace health and safety authorities in all Australian states and territories to transfer the assessment of competency to RTOs and to introduce renewable photographic licences.
“Delivery through RTOs will ensure that only organisations that have demonstrated quality systems, facilities, expertise and access to equipment will be able to provide training and assessment for competency in these areas of high risk work.
“Placing a greater focus on training before a person obtains a licence will ensure workers develop and retain the skills and knowledge that will help to prevent death or injury to them, their co-workers and members of the public.”
Mr Mickel said five-year renewable photographic licences will also be introduced from 1 July 2008 for classes of high risk work that are regulated in all states and territories.
“The new photo licence will provide greater security for the community, employers and co-workers by providing proof and assurance that people operating complex machinery or undertaking high risk work hold a valid licence.
“They will be recognised in any state or territory a licence holder chooses to work and will help to address potential identity fraud.
“Current licence holders will eventually need to convert their old licences to the new durable wallet-sized photo cards which will be introduced progressively over five years from 1 July 2008.”
While the changes to the licensing system are being introduced licence holders will remain obligated to hold their current licence for the work they carry out and employers to ensure that a person:
• proposing to carry out a licensed activity holds the relevant licence
• is familiar with the plant or equipment to be used or operated
• has recent experience in the operation of the plant or equipment.
To register to receive more information as the changes are introduced please visit www.deir.qld.gov.au or call the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland infoline on 1300 655 986.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784
June 11, 2007
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said that from 1 July 2007 anyone wanting an occupational licence from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland must undertake formal and informal training and be assessed for competency by a registered training organisation (RTO).
“Workers in high risk occupations and their employers will be affected by the new licensing laws, including scaffolders, doggers, riggers, crane and hoist operators, load shifting equipment operators, and pressure equipment operators,” Mr Mickel said.
“This is part of a national agreement between workplace health and safety authorities in all Australian states and territories to transfer the assessment of competency to RTOs and to introduce renewable photographic licences.
“Delivery through RTOs will ensure that only organisations that have demonstrated quality systems, facilities, expertise and access to equipment will be able to provide training and assessment for competency in these areas of high risk work.
“Placing a greater focus on training before a person obtains a licence will ensure workers develop and retain the skills and knowledge that will help to prevent death or injury to them, their co-workers and members of the public.”
Mr Mickel said five-year renewable photographic licences will also be introduced from 1 July 2008 for classes of high risk work that are regulated in all states and territories.
“The new photo licence will provide greater security for the community, employers and co-workers by providing proof and assurance that people operating complex machinery or undertaking high risk work hold a valid licence.
“They will be recognised in any state or territory a licence holder chooses to work and will help to address potential identity fraud.
“Current licence holders will eventually need to convert their old licences to the new durable wallet-sized photo cards which will be introduced progressively over five years from 1 July 2008.”
While the changes to the licensing system are being introduced licence holders will remain obligated to hold their current licence for the work they carry out and employers to ensure that a person:
• proposing to carry out a licensed activity holds the relevant licence
• is familiar with the plant or equipment to be used or operated
• has recent experience in the operation of the plant or equipment.
To register to receive more information as the changes are introduced please visit www.deir.qld.gov.au or call the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland infoline on 1300 655 986.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784
June 11, 2007