Mining Career Pathway & Training Roadmap | OHSA

Entry Level: Mining Worker

To work on most coal mine sites — especially in Queensland — you must complete the Standard 11 Surface Mining Induction. This course provides the core competencies needed to work safely on surface and, optionally, underground sites.

Mine sites throughout Australia generally require a minimum entry-level competency/course. There is no uniform Mining Legislation in Australia, and each State/Territory has differing requirements.

The Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines introduced the Recognised Standard 11 Training in Coal Mines in 2011, which specifies minimum competencies for Surface Coal Mines and Underground Coal Mines in Appendix 3 Generic OHS Induction. Surface Coal Mining requires six (6) units of competency. Underground Coal Mines require five (5) of the Surface Coal Mine competencies plus an additional competency. Surface Inductions are usually delivered over a two (2) day face to face course and the Underground Induction is delivered after this over a one (1) day course. The Queensland Coal Mining Recognised Standard 11 induction is currently the highest type of mining induction in Australia.

The Recognised Standard 11 Training in Coal Mines does not apply to Metalliferous Mines in Qld. Metalliferous Mines (mines not Coal) require workers to be competent in risk management, first aid and fire, along with other requirements as outlined in the Mining & Quarrying Safety and Health Regulation 2017 Qld. For this reason, OHSA delivers an additional Unit of Competency in Fire in our Recognised Standard 11 Surface Induction course to address the Mining & Quarrying Regulations 2017 QLD.

Most sites will consider it to be an advantage if you hold other competencies in First Aid, CPR, Low Voltage Rescue, Light Vehicle and 4WD Training, Work at Heights and Confined Space competencies, depending on the type of work you intend to perform once you get on site. You will also need to hold a current Mining Medical; however, you should always first confirm with the site what their particular requirements are prior to getting a medical.

REQUIRED COURSES

• Standard 11 Surface Mining Induction — the nationally recognised induction competence required to gain site access.

RECOMMENDED SKILLS FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

• Senior First Aid Training
• Work Safely at Heights
• Confined Space Entry
• CPR & Emergency Response
  These competencies help improve employability and site safety awareness.

MINING WORKERS FAQS

• Do all mine sites require Standard 11?
  Standard 11 is essential for Queensland coal operations and widely recognised across most Australian sites.
• Can metalliferous mines require something different?
  Metalliferous sites may require additional competencies in risk management, first aid, fire safety, or site-specific requirements.

Mid-Level: Mining Supervisor

Mining supervisors must demonstrate competence in risk management, incident investigation, communication and lead teams safely. In Queensland, legislation (Coal Mining Safety and Health Act and Mining & Quarrying Safety and Health Act) requires supervisors to hold specific qualifications before they can be appointed.

The Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 199 Qld s.26 and s.56 and the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 Qld s.23 and s.51 require Supervisors in Queensland Mines to be competent and hold certain qualifications in Risk Management, Incident Investigation and Communication skills before they can be appointed by the Mine Site Senior Executive (SSE) as a supervisor – Maximum Penalty 100 Units (about $11,890 fine). The Mining Supervisor Course, commonly and formerly known as the QMS1, QMS2, QMS3 or S1, S2 & S3, or G1, G8& G9, is now the RII competencies from the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package, as listed in the Coal Mining Safety and Health Mining Advisory Committee Competencies and the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Mining Advisory Committee Competencies

Most larger Queensland mines now conduct interviews and Mining Safety legislation challenge tests/exams of Supervisors when you attend the site. They generally range from 15 to 40 questions over a period from 1-2 hours or so up to one (1) Day. So you really want to make sure you attend a Mining Supervisor Course that is Fair Dinkum, delivered by people with heaps of Mining & WHS experience, and that covers what you need to prepare you for these Competency Challenge Tests.

Some Mines are now additionally requesting that Supervisors hold the ‘G2’ Competency (formerly MNCG1002), but now correctly known as the RIIRIS402 Carry out the Risk Processes competency. This is not listed as a mandatory requirement in the Advisory Committee Competencies; however, some sites have decided upon themselves to insist that Supervisors, Managers, WHS People, Engineers, Project Managers and Consultants hold this competency. It’s worth checking with the site before you get there, or if you’re going to a Project, that you read the requirements in the contract – some very BIG civil contractors have been caught out showing up at the site and not being able to start work until they have the right competencies. It’s quite embarrassing flying to the site and not being able to do the 2-5 day site induction and sitting in camp for the week!

As Supervisors are increasingly being asked to be everything, including taking on more WHS responsibility or performing Verification of Competency  (V.O.C’s), a number of sites have put their Supervisors through the ICAM Incident Investigation Course, Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety and Certificate IV in Training and Assessing. If you are Supervising Confined Spaces or Work @ Heights, you may need the Supervisor Courses for these Tasks. Having these qualifications/competencies will definitely be an advantage if you are applying for a Supervisor Role; however, if you already have the job, it’s best first to confirm with the site what you require before you do unnecessary courses.

REQUIRED COURSES

• Mining Supervisor S123 and Mining Supervisor S123 ONLINE — core training packages tailored for statutory supervisor readiness and site competency.

RECOMMENDED COMPTENCIES

• G2 Risk Facilitator competency — enhances risk management expertise.
• ICAM Lead Incident Investigation — prepares supervisors for complex incident reviews.
• Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety — valuable for broader WHS leadership and compliance.
  These recommended courses help supervisors exceed compliance minimums and perform at senior levels.

SUPERVISOR PATHWAY FAQS

• Is G2 required by legislation?
  G2 is not mandatory nationally, but many sites now require it for supervisors, managers and safety advisors.

Safety Leadership: Senior Roles / Safety Advisor

Managers and safety advisors guide overall safety performance, develop risk strategies and ensure legal compliance across the site. While specific requirements vary, most senior safety roles require a strong blend of risk, incident and leadership competencies.

The Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 199 Qld s.26 and s.56 and the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 Qld s.23 and s.51 requires certain Statutory positions (notably OCE/ERZ/Underground Ventilation Officer/Industry Safety Representative/Underground Electrical Engineering Manager and Underground Mechanical Engineer) to hold the RIIRIS402D Carry out the risk management processes competency (formerly known as MNCG1002 OR ‘G2’) as listed in the Coal Mining Safety and Health Mining Advisory Committee Competencies and the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Mining Advisory Committee Competencies

Some Mines are now additionally requesting that Supervisors hold the ‘G2’ Competency (formerly MNCG1002). This is not listed as a mandatory requirement in the Advisory Committee Competencies; however, some sites have decided upon themselves to insist that Supervisors, Managers, WHS People, Engineers, Project Managers and Consultants hold this competency. It’s worth checking with the site before you get there, or if you’re going to a Project, that you read the requirements on the contract.

RECOMMENDED COURSES

• G2 Risk Facilitator — essential for risk decision-making.
• ICAM Lead Incident Investigation — advanced incident investigation.
• Certificate IV in WHS — provides solid foundational safety leadership knowledge.

These competencies are crucial for roles such as industry safety advisor or OCE.

MANAGER/SAFETY ADVISOR FAQS

• Do managers need legislative competence?
  Many statutory safety positions — including ventilation officers and safety representatives — require formal risk management competencies under Queensland mining laws.

Site Senior Executive (SSE)

The Site Senior Executive (SSE) is the highest safety leadership position on mine sites. It requires management expertise, legislative knowledge, and risk management qualifications to ensure compliance with Australian mining safety regulations.

Under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999, all persons appointed as an SSE must demonstrate their knowledge of current Queensland coal mining legislation. This is achieved by completing a written SSE examination administered by the Board of Examiners, in accordance with section 54(1) of the Act. Holding a Notice of Compliance from the Board is mandatory before assuming SSE duties, including acting in the role.

In addition, SSE candidates must hold a recognised risk management qualification, which can include:

• RIIRIS601D (G3) and RIIWHS601D (G7)
• MINE7033 or GMIRM

Alternatively, some candidates may be exempt from the SSE examination, but they must still hold a Notice of exemption from the Board of Examiners.

For further details from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, see:

• Mining Competencies and Certificates

SSE FAQS

• Is SSE training required to lead safety?
  Yes, because SSE duties include legal mine site accountability under state mining safety acts.