Useful information in the link below updated 1 July 2010

http://www.licensinglinenews.com/Newsletter/Edition-79-June-2010/WHSQ-announcement-on-high-risk-licensing-implementation-date.aspx

News and Updates updated 18th June 2010

Legislation changes EXTENDED until 1st July 2011

We have just been advised by email (18/6/2010) that the period of acceptance of assessments for WHSQ courses 30496QLD (EPC) and 30497QLD (High Risk Work) has been extended until 1 July 2011.

This means that our current prices and course offerings will NOT have to be changed on 1 July 2010.

Legislation changes from 1st July 2010

As you may be aware the High Risk Work assessment instruments are supposedly "going" national from the 1st July 2010.This means that the assessment requirements and therefore our course set up as offered at present may be required to be adjusted accordingly.

We have not been advised yet by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland about the particulars of the upcoming changes. Unfortunately this means that until we are advised by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland about the details of the upcoming changes our courses commencing after June 30th June will be subject to new assessment requirements. More Skills Australia reserves the right to change dates and prices to comply with the new requirements.

To avoid any disappointment we recommend undertaking any outstanding assessments prior to the 30th June 2010.

For onsite group assessments please contact us on phone 3879 4622 or email admin@moreskills.com.au

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Extension to renew old paper licences

We have been informed by WHSQ that despite the extensive communication campaign and the two year lead in period, it has now become apparent in Queensland and in a number of other jurisdictions that some paper certificate holders are still operating on expired paper certificates.

Paper certificate holders were able to convert their tickets to present day authorities between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2008.

A safety net period was also built into the legislation between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2009 to allow revival of the expired paper tickets without penalty.

A decision has been made that the Department will allow old paper certificate holders to make a fresh application for a new licence using their old paper certificate/s as evidence of competence until 30 April 2010. Under this approach an applicant will not be required to undertake additional training or be reassessed.

This means that certificate holders will need to present their old certificate, along with a declaration and/or letter from the applicant's employer that the applicant has worked in the occupation/s in the previous five years and pay the appropriate fee to receive their new licence.

Please contact the Workplace Health and Safety Infoline (Licensing enquiries) on 1300 655 986 for further information on how to undertake this process.

Course and assessment requirements and how the new system works!

Every licence applicant is legally required to obtain workplace experience before the final assessment can be undertaken. The Workplace experience needs to be documented: a logbook and training plan need to be completed and signed off by licensed supervisor. From 1st July 08 it is a legal requirement for all students with or without experience to attend the formal training prior to completing the logbook and training plan. This means that from 1st July 08 we are NOT able to accept any logged experience that was gained prior to attending the formal training.

During the formal training the student/trainee will gain the underpinning knowledge which will help the trainee to acquire practical skills. When the required workplace experience has been gained the student is able to return to us for the final assessment to obtain the licence. From July 08 students have only 6 months form completing the formal training to obtaining the required workplace experience.

Who lodges of the application and more . . . . . . . . . .

From 1st July 08 photographic licences are being introduced for all Licences for High Risk Work. This means that each participant will have to lodge the application in person at an Australian Post office. Please note that the processing few of $70.10 is directly payable to Australia Post.

What you need to take with you to the post office:

Statement of Attainment and Assessment summary
Colour passport size photograph; no older than 6 months
Proof of identity, at least 100 points
Completed application form
Current licence to perform High Risk Work if you have any
The application fee of $70.10

We are on contact with our local Australia Post office at the moment to find the best way how we can assist applicants to ensure a smooth and hassle free run when lodging the application.

Exceptions: All participants of our Bridge and Gantry Crane courses are exempt from having to lodge their application in person. The Bridge and Gantry Crane (LBG) licence will remain a non-renewable licence and all applications will be lodged by More Skills Australia.

For further information on the changes that are applying from 1st July 08 you can contact:
More Skills Australia Pty Ltd Phone 1300 793 598 or 61 (0) 7 3879 4622
or Workplace Health and Safety Phone 1300 369 915 or 61 (0) 7 3247 4711

Have all you and all your employees changed the old paper licences yet (licences issued before March 1992)?

If Workplace Health and Safety has not been notified, the paper licence becomes invalid from 1st July 08. To notify Workplace Health and Safety dial: 1300 655 986