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Department of Justice and Community Safety

CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY

The ACT Government, as part of a strategy of rationalising safety regulations and adopting nationally uniform standards for plant operation, introduced the Occupational Health and Safety (Certification of Plant Users and Operators) Regulations on 30 November 2000. This system makes certification processes in the ACT consistent with other Australian jurisdictions. Holders of national certificates are able to operate anywhere in Australia.

The certificates of competency cover the following broad categories:

  • scaffolding
  • dogging and rigging work
  • crane and hoist operation
  • pressure equipment operation
  • loadshifting equipment.

Certificate Classes

Crane and Hoist Operation

Code

Class

CT

Tower Crane

CD

Derrick Crane

CP

Portal Boom Crane

CB

Bridge and Gantry Crane

CV

Vehicle Loading Crane (greater than 10 metre tonnes)

CN

Non-slewing Mobile Crane (greater than 3 tonnes)

C2

Slewing Mobile Crane (up to 20 tonnes)

C6

Slewing Mobile Crane (up to 60 tonnes)

C1

Slewing Mobile Crane (up to 100 tonnes)

C0

Slewing Mobile Crane (open/over 100 tonnes)

WP

Boom-Type Elevating Work Platform (boom length 11 metres or more)

HM

Materials Hoist (Cantilever Platform)

HP

Hoists (Personnel and Material)

PB

Concrete Placing Boom

 

 

Scaffolding, Dogging and Rigging

Code

Class

SB

Basic Scaffolding

SI

Intermediate Scaffolding

SA

Advanced Scaffolding

DG

Dogging

RB

Basic Rigging

RI

Intermediate Rigging

RA

Advanced Rigging

 

 

Pressure Equipment Operation

Code

Class

BB

Basic Boiler Operation

BI

Intermediate Boiler Operation

BA

Advanced Boiler Operation

TO

Turbine Operation

ES

Reciprocating Steam Engine Operation

 

 

Loadshifting Equipment Operation

Code

Class

LF

Fork-lift Truck

LO

Order-Picking Fork-lift Truck

LL

Front-End Loader

LB

Front-End Loader/Backhoe

LS

Front-End Loader (Skid Steer Type)

LE

Excavator

LD

Dragline

Obtaining a Certificate

Under the national certification system, training is obtained from a training provider or under the direct supervision of a certified operator as an on-the-job trainee. Learners' permits are no longer required. On-the-job trainees must keep a training record that must be countersigned by the supervising certificate holder. A training record requirement applies to on-the-job training only. See Information Bulletin Number 05.03 for more details.

  • An example of a training record can be printed here.  [279kb]

After completion of training, the trainee may apply to be assessed by an accredited Assessor. ACT WorkCover maintains a list of accredited Assessors. Assessments may be conducted at the workplace, provided sufficient equipment and facilities are available. Alternatively, assessments may be conducted at a training provider's facilities or at any other suitable location. The Assessor will advise applicants of the costs of assessments, as costs may differ from one Assessor to another.

Once competencies have been demonstrated the Assessor will issue a “Notice of Satisfactory Assessment” to the applicant. The applicant then has 60 days to apply to WorkCover for the appropriate national certificate of competency. If the applicant has not applied for a certificate of competency within the 60 day period, a new “Notice of Satisfactory Assessment” will be required.

A person who has applied for a certificate of competency must not perform that class of work, unless under the training provisions of the ACT Occupational Health and Safety (Certification of Plant Users and Operators) Regulation 2000, until they receive confirmation that a certificate of competency for that class of work has been issued.

Accreditation of Assessors

WorkCover accredits suitably qualified people as Assessors. Accredited Assessors from other jurisdictions will also need to be registered with ACT WorkCover in order to conduct assessments in the ACT. Anyone interested in becoming an Assessor should contact ACT WorkCover.

A list of Accredited Assessors is available in:

The OHS Commisioner's -

 

Cancelled/Suspended Certificates of Compentency

WorkCover may be required to suspend or cancel Certificates of Competency.  Details of cancellations and suspensions are available from the linked page.