Standard 11 Underground Mining Induction

How You Achieve Competency

To meet the safety and compliance standards required for underground mining operations, this induction focuses on highly specialised emergency response training.

Upon the successful completion of all theoretical, practical, and on-site assessments for the Standard 11 Underground Mining Induction, participants will be awarded a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for the following unit of competency:

• RIIERR203E Escape from hazardous situations unaided

Course Description for STD 11 Underground

OHSA is one of Australia’s largest and most trusted providers of the industry-recognised Standard 11 Generic OH&S Induction. Identified by the Queensland Mining Inspectorate as the mandatory training for new starters on Queensland mine sites, our Standard 11 training programs exceed most state general safety induction requirements.

This specific 1-Day Standard 11 Underground Mining elective comprehensively covers safety protocols for both coal and metalliferous mines. We typically deliver this face-to-face course fortnightly in Brisbane, immediately following our 2-day Standard 11 Surface Induction. Alternatively, we can deploy trainers directly to your site for corporate group bookings.

MANDATORY PREREQUISITES

Please note that this is an advanced elective. Students must have successfully completed the Standard 11 Surface Mining Induction program prior to enrolling in this 1-day underground course.

YOUR PATHWAYS TO COMPLIANCE (The 2-Step Assessment Process)

Achieving your full 5-year underground mining accreditation is a two-part process designed to bridge classroom theory with practical site experience:

1. Step 1: Classroom Assessment & Initial Site Access. Following your 1-day face-to-face training, you will complete written and practical assessments. Upon successful completion, you are immediately issued a Statement of Completion and a temporary plastic Standard 11 Induction photo ID card. This allows you to legally commence work on the mine site.
2. Step 2: On-Site Verification & Full Attainment. To finalise your competency, you must complete a mine on-site verification workbook within 6 months of your initial training (Note: check with your specific employer, as some mine sites strictly require this within 3 months).  A supervisor will also need to complete a section of the workbook to verify your role and site inductions.

Upon successful review of your workbook, OHSA will issue your official Statement of Attainment for the relevant unit of competency, alongside your full ID card, which remains valid for 5 years.

MAXIMISE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS:  5-Day Training Packages

Need multiple tickets for site access or supervisory roles? OHSA offers highly competitive, combined 5-day training packages running consecutively from Monday to Friday:

• 5-Day Workers Package: Includes Standard 11, Work at Heights, Confined Spaces, and Senior First Aid.
• 5-Day Supervisors Package: Includes Standard 11, Mining Supervisor S123, and G2 courses. Call our office at 1300 647 200 to book and save!

CORPORATE DISCOUNTS

Are you booking for a team? OHSA Corporate Account Holders receive up to 15% off group bookings. Click here to learn more and apply for a Corporate Account.

Are you compliant in the mining industry?

The Standard 11 Underground Mining Induction is the mandatory industry compliance course required for any individual planning to enter and operate within underground mine sites in Queensland.

Because underground environments present unique and heightened risks compared to surface operations, this specialised elective is essential for a wide range of personnel, including:

• New Underground Mining Workers: Individuals transitioning from surface operations to underground environments (who have already completed the prerequisite Surface Induction).
• Existing Coal and Metalliferous Mine Workers: Personnel requiring specialised emergency escape training (RIIERR203E Escape from hazardous situations unaided) to finalise or maintain their underground site access.
• Senior Management & Supervisors: Site leaders, safety officers, and management personnel who require underground access and must maintain strict site compliance.
• Certificate of Competency Holders: Specialised trades, engineers, and ticket holders whose duties require them to operate below the surface.

MANDATORY 5-YEAR REFRESHER REQUIREMENT

Compliance in the mining industry is an ongoing obligation. In accordance with strict Queensland mining regulations, all coal mine workers in Queensland—regardless of their role, including senior management, supervisors, and competency certificate holders—are legally required to undergo refresher training for their Standard 11 Induction at least once every 5 years to maintain their active site access privileges.

What will you learn?

The Standard 11 Underground Mining Induction is a highly practical, intensive 1-day program focused entirely on emergency survival, hazard response, and unaided escape protocols within subterranean mine settings.

Designed to meet the rigorous safety standards of both coal and metalliferous mines, the course blends classroom-based theoretical learning with hands-on, physically active demonstrations.

Throughout the day, participants will cover the core operational skills required to achieve competency in RIIERR203E Escape from hazardous situations unaided, which includes:

• Underground Hazard Identification: Recognising the unique environmental, atmospheric, and operational risks present in enclosed underground mining operations.
• Unaided Escape Procedures: Practical techniques for safely navigating, communicating, and extracting yourself from compromised, low-visibility, or hazardous situations without external assistance.
• Emergency Response & Evacuation: Understanding site-specific emergency protocols, interpreting alarm systems, and identifying primary and secondary escape routes.

By integrating these practical exercises with theoretical safety frameworks, workers leave fully equipped to recognise danger and react decisively in high-pressure underground emergencies.

Course Requirements

To ensure the safety of all participants and comply with national training regulations, strict eligibility and physical requirements apply to this course. Please review the following mandatory prerequisites before booking your Standard 11 Underground Mining Induction:

MANDATORY PREREQUISITE TRAINING

Because this is an advanced elective, students must have successfully completed the Standard 11 Surface Mining Induction program before enrolling in this 1-day underground course.

UNDERGROUND MINE ACCESS

Students will need access to an underground mine site to complete their site verification book within 6 months of completing the classroom component.  OHSA does not provide employment or mine access as part of this course.  It is recommended that students only undertake this course after they have secured employment.

IDENTIFICATION & DOCUMENTATION

You must provide the following documentation to complete your enrolment and certification:

• Unique Student Identifier (USI): You must provide a valid USI number at the time of enrolment. If you do not have one, you can create it at www.usi.gov.au.
• Photographic ID: You must bring valid, government-issued photographic identification (e.g., an Australian driver’s licence or passport) to present on the day of the course.

SAFETY ATTIRE

• Closed-in shoes (steel-capped boots are recommended but not strictly mandatory, provided the footwear is fully enclosed).
• It is recommended that students wear clothing to simulate working in the resources industry.  Singlets are not acceptable for the classroom environment

PHYSICAL & LITERACY REQUIREMENTS

Operating underground requires a baseline level of physical fitness and clear communication skills:

• Physical Ability: You must possess sufficient physical mobility to attend a full classroom-based course, including the ability to move around the room during practical components.  As this is an underground mining induction, it is presumed that students will have the physical and psychological ability to work in an underground mining environment.
• Language & Literacy: You must have sufficient English literacy and numeracy skills to read, comprehend, and execute complex safety instructions in a high-risk workplace environment.

AGE & VISA ELIGIBILITY

• Age Limit: Participants must be 18 years or older to enrol in any of OHSA’s nationally accredited safety training programs. We do not provide training to individuals under 18.
• Visa Status: Under current regulatory frameworks, students must not be on an international student visa, nor can they be the partner of someone on a student visa.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is the Standard 11 Underground Mining Induction? The Standard 11 Underground Mining Induction is a mandatory 1-day safety training course required for workers entering underground coal or metalliferous mines in Queensland. It focuses on emergency readiness and awards the nationally recognised unit of competency RIIERR203E Escape from hazardous situations unaided.
• Do I need to complete the Surface Induction first? Yes. The Standard 11 Underground Induction is an advanced elective. You must successfully complete the 2-day Standard 11 Surface Mining Induction before you are permitted to enrol in the 1-day underground course.
• How long does the Standard 11 Underground certification last? Once you have completed both the classroom training and the on-site verification workbook, your full Standard 11 Underground ID card is valid for 5 years. In Queensland, all mine workers must complete refresher training every 5 years to maintain their site access.
• How do I get my full 5-year Standard 11 photo ID card? Achieving your full accreditation is a two-step process. First, you pass the 1-day face-to-face course to receive a temporary pass. Second, you must complete a practical on-site verification workbook at your mine site within 6 months (some sites require it within 3 months) and return it to OHSA, including 3 tags and 3 personal risk assessments.
• What is the difference between surface mining and underground mining inductions? Surface mining inductions cover general site safety, communication, and basic risk management for above-ground operations. Underground mining inductions specifically address the severe risks of subterranean environments, including low-visibility navigation, noxious gases, confined space escape protocols, and emergency fire suppression.
• Can I do the Standard 11 Underground Mining Induction online? No. The Standard 11 Underground Induction must be completed face-to-face.
• How much does the Standard 11 Underground course cost? The 1-day Standard 11 Underground Mining Induction at OHSA costs $349.00. We also offer up to a 15% discount for group bookings through our Corporate Account program.
• What should I wear to the training course? You must wear closed-in shoes (steel-capped boots are recommended) and it is recommended resource industry workwear is worn.
• What are the physical requirements for this course? Participants must have sufficient physical mobility to sit through a classroom session and move around the room during practical components.  As this is an underground mining induction is is presumed students will have the physical and psychological ability to work in an underground mining environment.
• Is an underground mining induction required for supervisors and management? Yes. In Queensland, all personnel who enter an underground mine site—including senior management, supervisors, and individuals holding specialised certificates of competency—must hold a valid Standard 11 Underground Induction and undergo refresher training every 5 years.