Health and Safety Representative HSR | REFRESHER

Course Outcome & Certification

When booking your HSR Refresher Course QLD, it is vital to understand the exact certification you will receive upon completion.

Because this 1-day refresher training is a specialised, regulator-approved course rather than a standard Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification, it does not issue a national Unit of Competency.

Upon successful completion of this refresher training program, participants will receive a:

• Health & Safety Representative Refresher Certificate.

This certificate serves as your official evidence of ongoing competency. Specifically, it verifies to regulators and your employer that you are legally authorised to continue exercising your HSR powers, including the ability to issue Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) or direct unsafe work to cease.

Record Keeping for Employers (PCBUs)

After finishing the 1-day training session, you will receive your Statement of Attendance promptly. Consequently, you can provide this document straight to your employer or PCBU. They must keep this on file to demonstrate they are meeting their legal obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

CERTIFICATION DETAILS:

• Awarded Certificate: Health & Safety Representative (HSR) Refresher Certificate
• Regulatory Approval: Fully approved by WorkSafe Queensland (WHSQ).
• Legislative Alignment: Fulfils the mandatory training requirements for elected HSRs under Section 72 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD) and Section 21 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (QLD).
• Jurisdiction: Recognised across all workplaces in Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, and statewide).

HSR Refresher Training – WorkSafe QLD Approved (1 Day)

The HSR Refresher Course QLD is a 1-day, WorkSafe QLD approved training program. It provides elected Health and Safety Representatives with the information required to perform their roles. Specifically, the course helps you maintain compliance as outlined in Section 72 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) and Section 21(1)(b) of the WHS Regulation 2011.

As a licensed provider, OHSA delivers training that meets WorkSafe Queensland requirements. Under current legislation, HSRs are entitled to attend a 1-day refresher at least once every 12 months. Your entitlement to this first refresher commences exactly 12 months after completing your initial 5-day HSR training.

CORE TRAINING TOPICS

This refresher course reinforces your existing knowledge and practical skills. During the session, you will cover:

• Legislative Updates: Information regarding recent regulatory changes.
• Risk & Hazard Management: Application of hazard identification and risk assessment.
• Workplace Consultation: Communication and negotiation processes.
• Exercising Legal Powers: Processes for issuing Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) and directing unsafe work to cease.

WHY REFRESH ANNUALLY?

WorkSafe Queensland outlines this annual refresher training for specific regulatory reasons. Firstly, it ensures HSRs remain current in their understanding of the WHS framework. Furthermore, completing this training assists both the HSR and the employer (PCBU) in meeting their legal duties and avoiding financial penalties associated with non-compliance.

Additionally, OHSA offers customised, in-house refresher training on-site for corporate groups. Consequently, workplaces can coordinate training for multiple HSRs simultaneously to maintain their organisational compliance.

Who is the HSR Refresher Course QLD For?

The HSR Refresher Course QLD is designed for elected safety representatives required to maintain their current certification. Whether you are actively serving or returning to the role, this 1-day training aligns with WorkSafe Queensland regulations.

This course applies to the following roles:

• Currently Elected HSRs: Individuals who have completed the initial 5-day training and are due for their annual update.
• Deputy HSRs: Representatives who require ongoing competency and understanding of their legal protections.
• Returning HSRs: Individuals returning to the role after a break (such as parental or long service leave) who need to refresh their knowledge without repeating the 5-day course.
• Employers and PCBUs: Business owners and managers responsible for ensuring their health and safety representatives meet WHS compliance requirements.

IMPORTANT COURSE PREREQUISITES

Before booking your course, you must verify that you meet the regulatory requirements. Firstly, all participants must be 18 years of age or older. OHSA does not provide this specific training to individuals under 18.

You must provide evidence of completing the initial 5-day HSR training. Under WHSQ regulations, your entitlement to this refresher begins exactly 12 months after finishing that initial course.

If your certification has lapsed beyond that 12-month window, you are expected to complete the training as soon as reasonably possible. In cases of a prolonged lapse, you may need to seek the Regulator’s approval before booking your refresher.

Inside the HSR Refresher Course QLD

During the HSR Refresher Course QLD, participants revisit and update the core skills required for their role. Because WHS legislation is subject to change, this 1-day training outlines current regulatory and compliance obligations. Consequently, it provides the procedural information required to represent your workgroup.

CORE MODULES AND TRAINING TOPICS

The WorkSafe QLD approved curriculum is structured around statutory guidelines and practical safety procedures. Specifically, the training covers the following areas:

• WHS Legislation: An overview of the Work Health and Safety (Qld) legislative framework.
• Roles & Duties: The duties of various workplace parties and the regulatory role of WorkSafe Queensland.
• Compliance & Terminology: Updates on WHS terminology and ongoing compliance requirements.
• Workplace Consultation: Established consultation mechanisms for managing workplace health and safety.
• HSR Protections: The role, entitlements, and legal protections for HSRs and Health and Safety Committees (HSCs).
• Communication Skills: Standard negotiation and conflict resolution processes.
• Risk Management: Hazard identification and risk control methods.
• Incident Response: Required incident notification and workplace investigation procedures.
• Exercising Legal Powers: The regulatory steps for issuing Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) and directing unsafe work to cease.

WORKPLACE APPLICATION

These modules are structured to reinforce the statutory functions of an HSR. By completing this training, representatives review the established procedures for addressing safety issues, facilitating workplace dispute resolution, and applying WHS legislation according to WorkSafe QLD standards.

Enrolling in the HSR Refresher Course QLD

Before booking the HSR Refresher Course QLD, you must meet all regulatory and OHSA prerequisites. Because this is a WorkSafe QLD program, these entry requirements are mandatory. Therefore, please review the criteria below to confirm your eligibility.

EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY

In accordance with WHSQ regulations, all participants must provide evidence of identity. To meet compliance standards, you may be required to present this identification to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

100 Points of Identification: All participants must provide 100 points of original identification on the first day of training. Acceptable forms of identification include:

• Primary ID: Australian Driver’s Licence, Australian or International Passport, or Queensland 18+ Card.
• Secondary ID: Medicare Card or a financial institution Debit/Credit Card. (Note: Bank cards will be sighted by the assessor but not copied; other documents will be copied for compliance records.)

Identification Notice: Participants who do not provide the required 100 points of valid identification on Day 1 will not be permitted to attend the course, in accordance with WorkSafe QLD regulations.

PREREQUISITES & VISA STATUS

To enrol in this 1-day training session, participants must satisfy several conditions. Specifically, you must meet the following criteria:

• Age Requirement: You must be 18 years or older. OHSA does not provide training for individuals under the age of 18.
• Prior Training Evidence: You must provide evidence of completing the initial 5-day HSR training course.
• Lapsed Certifications: If your refresher certification has lapsed beyond 12 months, you may need Regulator approval to enrol in the refresher-only option.
• Visa Status: Students must not hold a student visa or be the partner of someone holding a student visa.

LITERACY, NUMERACY & PHYSICAL CAPACITY

Participants must possess foundational English literacy and numeracy skills. Specifically, you need the ability to read, interpret, and understand workplace safety instructions, QLD legislation, and incident reports.

Participants must have the physical capacity to attend and participate in a standard, classroom-based training program.

FITNESS FOR DUTY POLICY

No student will be permitted to undertake the course or any session if they present as impaired. This policy applies to individuals under the influence of alcohol or illegal/illicit substances. OHSA enforces these conditions to ensure procedural safety requirements are met.

HSR Refresher Course QLD

Do you still have questions about booking your HSR Refresher Course QLD? Navigating WorkSafe Queensland compliance can sometimes feel complicated. Therefore, we have compiled the most common questions from both Health and Safety Representatives and employers to help you prepare.

• Is refresher training mandatory by law? Yes, absolutely. Under WorkSafe QLD regulations, HSRs are required to complete refresher training annually to maintain their competency and legal compliance. Furthermore, completing this training ensures you can continue to exercise your powers legally, such as issuing Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs).
• Do all HSRs need a refresher every year? Yes. Once you have completed your initial 5-day training, you are entitled to attend a 1-day refresher at least every 12 months. Specifically, this entitlement commences exactly one year after your initial certification date.
• What happens if I miss my 12-month refresher window? If you miss your scheduled date, you should complete your refresher as soon as reasonably possible. However, if your refresher requirement has significantly lapsed, you may face additional hurdles. In some cases, you might need official approval from the Regulator before you can book the 1-day course.
• Who pays for the HSR Refresher Course? Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), your employer (or PCBU) is responsible for the costs. Consequently, they must pay all training fees and reasonable costs associated with attending. Additionally, they must ensure you are paid your usual amount of pay, including any overtime or allowances, while attending the course.
• Can I take this refresher online? Current WorkSafe Queensland legislation strictly governs the delivery methods for this training. Therefore, OHSA offers this mandatory course strictly via face-to-face, in-person training. We provide standard classroom sessions in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, as well as on-site delivery for corporate groups.
• Do I receive a formal certificate? Because this is a specialised regulatory course, it does not issue a national VET Unit of Competency. Instead, you will receive a formal Statement of Attendance upon successful completion. Ultimately, your employer must keep this document on file to prove ongoing WHS compliance.