Australian Safety and Learning Systems

Course in Functioning as a Workplace Health and Safety Officer (WHSO)
Frequently asked questions

1. What is the structure of the WHSO training course?
2. What are the entry requirements for the WHSO course?
3. What outcomes can I expect from completing the course?
4. What industry elective should I attend?
5. What is supplementary or additional WHSO training?
6. How long will I have to complete the WHSO course?
7. Can I complete the units in any order?
8. It is over 6 months since I completed the WHSO core units. Can I still attend an elective unit course?
9. How do I receive my WHSO accreditation from WHSQ?
10. It has been more than 3 months and less than 12 months since I completed the WHSO course. Can I still obtain my accreditation?
11. It has been more than 12 months since I completed the WHSO course. Can I still obtain my accreditation?
12. I completed the WHSO course, but never applied for my WHSO accreditation. I have now completed the Recertification course. Can I apply for my accreditation?
13. Can I apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL)?
14. What happens if I lose my Assessment Report/s issued by ASLS?
15. How long is the WHSO accreditation valid for?
16. My WHSO accreditation has expired. Can I attend the WHSO Recertification Course?
17. My WHSO accreditation has expired? Can I be appointed as the WHSO for my workplace?

Approved WHSO training is divided into two stages:

• The core module (5 days duration), which must be completed by persons from all industry groups; and
• An industry specific elective module – construction (4 days), industrial (3 days), services (2 days).

Students must have sufficient numeracy and literacy skills to read and comprehend instruction for:

• referencing and understanding the Qld Government's WH&S legislation, standards and related material;
• preparing WH&S reports;
• establishing appropriate educational programs;
• investigating work injuries, work caused illnesses and dangerous events;
• consulting with workers, employers and statutory health and safety officials;
• assisting Qld Government WH&S officials.

On successful completion of the course, students will receive a Statement of Attainment and can apply to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for accreditation as a WHSO. The course provides students with the skills to:

• satisfy Qld WH&S legislative requirements to be qualified as a WHSO;
• tell employers or principal contractors about the overall state of health and safety at the workplace;
• conduct inspections at the workplace to identify any hazards and unsafe or unsatisfactory WH&S conditions and practices;
• report to employer or principal contractor any hazard or unsafe or unsatisfactory WH&S practice identified during inspections;
• establish appropriate educational programs in WH&S;
• investigate work injuries, work caused illnesses and dangerous events in the workplace;
• help inspectors in the performance of their duties;
• report the injury, illness, event or risk to the employer or principal contractor if it occurs.

The Industry Elective WHSO Course attended would depend on the predominant activity of the particular workplace (e.g. either industrial, service or construction). Where the predominant activity is say construction related, the construction elective should be pursued.

It is recognised that the management of a particular workplace would be in the best position to analyse and determine the nature of the predominant activity carried out at the workplace. Management should therefore be responsible for nominating the most appropriate course for the WHSO.

Although, it would be unlikely that the WHSO will be required to attend any combination of the industrial, service or construction electives, in some cases it will be advisable for the person to attend supplementary training on the other electives.

The applicant must successfully complete the core module and at least one industry elective module.

A WHSO is only required to complete one industry elective as part of the course. Only one "generic" certificate is issued to a WHSO regardless of which industry elective unit was completed. Evidence for WHSO training in a particular industry will be provided by the organisation which delivers the approved WHSO training.

Where activities of the new workplace are of a completely different nature, it is highly desirable that the WHSO undergo supplementary industry elective training to acquire the additional industry competencies.

As each of the industry elective units are "stand alone" courses, supplementary training will require the WHSO to complete the entire elective unit.

After completing the 3 core units in a 5 day block, students must complete an elective within 6 months from the date on the core units Assessment Report.

Where a student takes longer than 5 days to complete the 3 core units, the entire course (core units, plus elective) must be completed within a 12 month period.

WHSO/01 must always be completed first. All other units may be conducted in any order, providing WHSQ has been consulted and agrees. ASLS usually offers WHSO/01/02/03 followed by an elective, in this order.

If it is not more than 12 months since you completed the core units- before attending the elective you must successfully complete a challenge exam for WHSO/01 and you will be issued with a new Assessment Report for core units.

If it is between 12 months and 24 months- you must successfully complete a challenge exam for each of the 3 core units.

If it has been more than 2 years since completing core units- you must complete the entire core unit's course again.

The student must post the 2 white copies of the Assessment Reports for the core and elective units, including payment of the current fee, to the nearest office of WHSQ, within 3 months of completing the elective unit. WHSQ will post a card describing your accreditation within a few weeks of receiving your application.

Yes, however, delaying the application longer than 3 months attracts an additional fee and will require a covering letter of explanation. Students should contact WHSQ to discuss the requirements.

Yes, provided you complete one of the following options:

• successfully complete a WHSO Recertification course; or
• successfully complete a new WHSO course (core and elective units).

Note: Assessment Reports for both the core, elective and recertification units must be submitted to WHSQ if choosing the first option.

Yes – you must submit assessment reports for the core units, elective unit and the Recertification unit.

To seek RPL, students must meet the following criteria:

• be actively involved in OHS at the workplace for at least 2 of the past 3 years; and
• possess a formal tertiary level educational qualification in an OHS discipline within the past 10 years eg associate diploma in OHS; or
• possess a degree with a significant component in OHS

Students meeting the criteria will also be required to sit a challenge exam.

ASLS can issue a certified copy of the original report/s.

Five years from the date on the elective unit Assessment Report.

It depends on when your accreditation expired:

• If the period is less than 3 months you can attend the Recertification Course then make application to WHSQ enclosing the application fee.
• If the period is greater than 3 months, but not longer than 12 months, you can attend the Recertification Course, then make application to WHSQ but you will be charged the application fee and an extra fee by WHSQ. You should contact WHSQ to confirm the cost of the extra fee.
• If the period is greater than 12 months you cannot attend the Recertification Course. You will be required to complete the core units and at least one elective before applying for accreditation. You will only be charged the standard application fee by WHSQ.

No – you cannot be appointed as the WHSO until your qualification is current.