According to the WHS Regulations:

  • Pressure Equipment means boilers, pressure vessels (i.e. air receiver / compressed air, gas cylinders and pressure piping.
  • Pressure Vessel is a vessel subject to internal or external pressure which includes any interconnected parts and components, valves, gauges and other fittings up to the first point of connection to connecting piping.
  • Pressure Piping is an assembly of pipes, pipe fittings, valves and pipe accessories subject to internal or external pressure and used to contain or convey fluid or to transmit fluid pressure. This includes distribution headers, bolting, gaskets, pipe supports and pressure containing accessories. Note that pressure piping does not require design registration.

Hazards

Note that the risk of using pressure equipment is determined by their hazard level which relates to the volume, pressure, temperature, location, usage and contents type.

Hazard levels are rated from A through to E, with A being the most hazardous and E the least hazardous. These hazard levels are calculated using Australian Standard - AS 4343 Pressure Equipment - Hazard Levels. The Hazard Level assessment is normally the responsibility of the designer, manufacturer, importer, or supplier.

Pressure plant and equipment are considered to be high risk plant as they can seriously injure or kill workers through:

  • Striking Injury: can result from explosions and ruptures due overpressure or structural weakening which can cause vessels to burst and create flying debris.
  • Thermal Exposure: scalds and burns can result from contact with released liquid or gas, such as steam, or fire.
  • Chemical Exposure: workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals used for water treatment, such as boiler water additives.
  • Electrical Hazards: faulty wiring, pumps, or controls can lead to electric shock or failure of safety shutdowns.
  • Confined Space Hazards: maintenance tasks can occur in confined, poorly ventilated areas.

Safety requirements

  • Training: ensure operators are trained on the specific pressure equipment controls, including emergency procedures, and are licenced and follow SOPs.
  • Operation: ensure daily pre-operational checks are undertaken and emergency stop buttons are functional.
  • Lockout/Tagout: use lock-out/tag-out procedures and if applicable, they may need to go beyond electrical cut-offs.
  • Exclusion Zones: create marked pathways and spaces around safety valves, blowdown valves, and electrical control panels that must remain clear of debris, storage boxes, or operational blockages.
  • Confined Space Entry Permits: strict multi-signature permit systems required before any worker enters a pressure vessel for cleaning and/or maintenance.

Licence requirements

You need a high risk work licence to operate specific pressure equipment.

Registration

Note that pressure piping does not require design or plant item registration.

Registration costs can be found at Registration Fees.

Design registration

Plant design registration – Guidance notes

To register or alter the design of plant:

Plant design - New or alteration to design

According to WHS Regulation 243, you must register designs of pressure equipment, other than pressure piping, which is categorised as hazard level A, B, C or D according to the criteria in AS 4343.

In addition, the following items of plant do not require design registration:

  1. a heritage boiler; or
  2. any pressure equipment (other than a gas cylinder) excluded from the scope of AS/NZS 1200: Pressure equipment

Note: See paragraph A3 of Appendix A to AS/NZS 1200.

The pressure equipment can be designed to any internationally recognised published technical standard with the following documents being required for the registration of the plant design:

  • each model must have a separate design registration application form.
  • statement signed by the designer of the plant stating:
  • the designer has complied with their obligations under section 22 of the WHS Act.
  • the published technical standards and engineering principles used in the design.
  • design calculations and drawing(s) in English, as referenced in the designer's statement
  • an independent design verification statement.
  • payment of the fee which lasts for the life of the design (payable on completion of the online application).

Note:

  • design registration applies to all plant items manufactured to the same design.
  • design registration is valid for the life of the plant.
  • manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of plant are prohibited from supplying plant unless the design of that plant is registered.
  • design registration in SA is not required if the plant design is registered in another state under a corresponding WHS law (WHS Act 2012 (SA)).
  • any alteration to the design of registered plant that may affect health, and safety requires an alteration to its design registration.

Importing pressure equipment to South Australia

All pressure equipment coming into South Australia regardless of where it was designed and manufactured is required to be assessed for design registration.

If the design of the equipment has not been registered by the designer or manufacturer, then the responsibility to register it lies with the person who imported the equipment, or the person with management or control of the item of plant in the workplace.

The importer must:

  • conduct a hazard level identification and risk assessment as if they were the designer and manufacturer of the plant. Any risks must be eliminated or minimised
  • provide relevant information relating to the design and safe use of the plant to the end user.

Design registration must be obtained prior to supply or use of the equipment in South Australia. It is an offence to operate or allow someone to operate pressure equipment that is required to be design registered and has not received registration.

Plant registration

Plant registration – Guidance notes

To register the item of plant:

Plant item registration

Plant - Variation / Change of ownership

According to WHS Regulation 243, pressure vessels categorised as hazard level A, B or C according to the criteria in Section 2.1 of AS 4343, must be item of plant registered, except:

  1. gas cylinders; and
  2. LP Gas fuel vessels for automotive use; and
  3. serially produced vessels.

In addition, the following items of plant do not require plant item registration:

  1. any pressure equipment (other than a gas cylinder) excluded from the scope of AS/NZS 1200: Pressure equipment

Note: See paragraph A3 of Appendix A to AS/NZS 1200.

Pressure equipment plant items categorised as Hazard level A, B or C must be regularly inspected by a competent person to ensure it is safe to operate in accordance with the Australian Standard AS/NZS 3788: Pressure equipment-in-service inspection.

Once a pressure vessel design is registered, you must permanently mark the design registration number on each pressure equipment item manufactured to that registered design.

You must hold a copy of the design registration certificate for item of plant registration. A supplier must share a copy of the design registration certificate with the purchaser.

To register plant for the first time in South Australia or to renew lapsed registration, the following documentation will be required:

  • completed online application form including fee payment.
  • Design Registration Certificate, or a Design Approval Letter (issued pre-July 1996), or exemption letter issued by SafeWork SA to you the applicant (not transferable).
  • Statement from Competent Person that the plant is safe to use or operate (issued within 12 months of application date).
  • date when plant item was first commissioned or first registered (whichever occurred first).
  • Commissioning Report (prior to first use in Australia). If the plant being registered has been in service for more than 10 years, attach a copy of the Major Inspection Report (10-yearly) in lieu of a Commissioning Report.
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (where the applicant is a third-party acting on behalf of the PCBU).

If you are applying for transfer of ownership of an existing SafeWork SA issued registration(s) the following documentation will be required:

  • completed online notification form lodged within 14 days of purchase.
  • date when plant item was first commissioned or first registered (whichever occurred first).
  • Statement from competent person that the plant is safe to use or operate (issued within 12 months of application date).
  • if the plant being registered has been in service for more than 10 years, attach a copy of the Major Inspection Report (10-yearly) in lieu of a Commissioning Report.
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (If applicable where the applicant is a third-party acting on behalf of the PCBU).
  • letter from former owner confirming date that transfer of ownership occurred and that they no longer have management or control of the plant.

If you are applying to change the location of an existing SafeWork SA issued registration(s) the following documentation will be required:

  • completed online notification form lodged within 14 days of becoming aware of the change.
  • if the plant being registered has been in service for more than 10 years, attach a major inspection report (10-yearly).
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (If applicable where the applicant is a third-party acting on behalf of the PCBU).

If you are applying to make changes to other information of an existing SafeWork SA issued registration(s) the following documentation will be required:

  • completed online notification form lodged within 14 days of becoming aware of change(s).
  • where the change relates to a design alteration, then a copy of the design registration for the alteration and any relevant changes to recorded information
  • statement from competent person that the plant is safe to use or operate reflecting the updated information (if applicable).
  • if the plant being registered has been in service for more than 10 years, attach a copy of the Major Inspection Report (10-yearly).
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (If applicable where the applicant is a third-party acting on behalf of the PCBU).

Note:

  • SafeWork SA will notify plant registration holders in writing around one month prior to renewals being due. In making a decision to grant the renewal of a plant item registration, SafeWork SA will consider whether the plant has been regularly maintained and inspected in accordance with WHS Regulation 213 and 235.

Change of details

You must provide us with written notice within 14 days if:

  • you change your name or address, or any other information stated on your application for registration.
  • the plant design has been altered to an extent where it is subject to new control measures.

Inspection and maintenance

According to WHS Regulation 213 - Maintenance and Inspection of Plant, the person with management or control of plant at a workplace must ensure that the maintenance inspection and, if necessary, testing of the plant is carried out by a competent person. In addition, the maintenance, inspection and testing must be carried out:

  1. in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, if any; or
  2. if there are no manufacturer's recommendations, in accordance with the recommendations of a competent person; or
  3. in relation to inspection, if it is not reasonably practicable to comply with paragraph (a) or (b), annually.

According to WHS Regulation 224 – Pressure Equipment, the person with management or control of plant at a workplace must ensure that:

  1. the equipment is inspected on a regular basis by a competent person; and
  2. any gas cylinder that is inspected is marked with a current inspection mark showing the date of the most recent inspection.

The inspection must also be in accordance with AS/NZS 3788: In-service Inspection of Pressure Equipment, which outlines the responsibilities for both the inspector and the owner of the pressure equipment. The Standard incorporates a table that details the periods between routine inspections as well as information that leads the inspector through the inspection process for the various types of pressure equipment.

On completion of the inspection, the inspector will provide you with a Certificate of Inspection and a Report. The certificate must include a statement from the inspector indicating that they have conducted the inspection in accordance with AS/NZS 3788 and that the equipment is 'Safe to operate' (where this is found to be the case).

Record keeping

Employers/PCBUs must keep a record of any inspection and maintenance on pressure equipment with a hazard level A, B or C as determined by AS 4343. You must keep the inspection and maintenance records for the period you have management or control of the plant.

Records including maintenance logbooks of the significant events concerning the safety and operation of the pressure equipment must be kept and readily available. Records should be kept in a suitable format and must be transferred with ownership of the pressure equipment. Entries in the maintenance logbook should:

  • clearly describe the work carried out and parts replaced
  • be dated
  • note the name of the person carrying out the work, and
  • be signed by the person carrying out the work.

The checks, adjustments, replacement of parts, repairs, inspections performed and irregularities or damage concerning the unit’s safe use must be recorded.

Inspection records should include a statement from a competent person confirming the item of plant has been inspected and is safe to operate.

Inspection records should include:

  • what was looked at – component specification or areas of the plant inspected.
  • what was looked for – signs of wear, damage, cracking or corrosion.
  • what criteria were used – rejection criteria.
  • how was it looked for – techniques used.
  • what was found – test results, photographs or measurements.
  • what was recommended – repairs required before continued use.
  • what recommendations were actioned – recommendations acted upon, and date tasks were completed.

Contact us

Visit: safework.sa.gov.au

Call: SafeWork Licensing Unit on 1300 365 255

Email: licensing.safework@sa.gov.au

Further information

SafeWork SA

Resources

Legislation

  • WHS Act 22 - Duties of PCBUs that design plant, substances or structures
  • WHS Regulation 213 – Maintenance and inspection of plant
  • WHS Regulation 224 – Inspection and management of pressure equipment
  • WHS Regulation 237 – Records of plant
  • WHS Regulation 244 – Altered plant designs to be registered

Australian Standards

  • AS/NZS 1200: Pressure equipment
  • AS 1210: Pressure vessels
  • AS/NZS 3788: In-service inspection of pressure equipment
  • AS 4343: Pressure equipment – Hazard levels
  • AS 3873: Pressure equipment – Operation and maintenance

Codes of Practice

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Plant specific information can be found on:

Q1. What should a purchaser ask a supplier before purchasing pressure equipment?

  • can they provide a copy of the design registration?
  • what is the after-sales service arrangement?
  • who takes responsibility for the item of plant registration process?
  • what are the safety features?
  • for used plant, can they provide a copy of the inspection(s)?

Q2. What are the registration requirements?

  • Air receivers (compressed air) require design registration if they have a calculated Hazard Level of A, B, C or D according to AS 4343: Pressure equipment – hazard levels. They require item of plant registration if they have a hazard level of A, B or C according AS 4343.
  • Boilers require both design registration and item of plant registration
  • Gas cylinders require design registration if they are covered by Section 1 of AS 2030.1: Gas cylinders - General requirements which have a calculated Hazard Level of A, B, C or D according to AS 4343. They do not require item of plant registration.
  • Pressure piping does not require design or item of plant registration.
  • LP Gas fuel vessels for automotive use, serially produced vessels and pressure equipment excluded from the scope of AS/NZS 1200 stated in section 4(1) do not require item of plant registration.

The pressure equipment supplier (who may also be the importer) has the legal duty to ensure that the pressure equipment is design registered, and that they hold a copy of the design registration certificate prior to any distribution and sale.

The design registration number issued by SafeWork SA or an interstate regulator is unique to that model and must be permanently marked on the pressure equipment.

The owner or person with management control of the pressure equipment is responsible for the item of plant registration. They will need copies of the design registration certificate, “Safe to Operate” certificate and commissioning report. They can then attach all the supporting documentation to a completed application form and send it to SafeWork SA along with payment of the fee.

Q3. Are there any registration fees?

A fee is incurred when the pressure equipment is first design registered and each time it is plant item registered.

A design registration fee applies only once for the initial application because upon issue there is no expiry date.

Applicable pressure equipment needs to be item of plant registered with SafeWork SA for a 5-year term. The owner will receive an invoice from SafeWork SA before the renewal date. The invoice will have an associated fee.

Plant registration will remain valid for the 5-year period unless the pressure equipment is sold, scrapped, or a design alteration occurs to the level of safety requiring a review of risk control measures.

Q4. Who can apply for design registration?

  • a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) that designs an item of plant may apply to the regulator for the registration of the design of that item of plant.
  • a person with management or control of an item of plant at a workplace may apply to the regulator for the registration of the design of that item of plant.

Q5. Duties of the Designer and Design Verifier.

The designer must undertake a design risk assessment and be satisfied through engineering calculations that the pressure equipment is at the appropriate level of safety in accordance with the published technical standards and/or engineering principles being used. The designer must declare that they “have complied with the designer’s obligations under Section 22 of the WHS Act in respect to the design of the plant.”

For design verification under regulation 252, a Design Verifier is a person who has the skills, qualifications, competence and experience to design the plant or verify the design

The Design Verifier has the important role of determining through their own independent assessment that the design satisfactorily complies with design intent published technical standards, and/or engineering principles. They must also declare that “they were not involved in the production of the design; and that the design was produced in accordance with the published technical standards and/or engineering principles specified by the designer’s statement and documents.”

The pressure equipment original design can be to any internationally recognised published technical standard including calculations and drawings. However, Design verification must declare full compliance with the applicable Australian Standards.

Q6. Can the Designer and/or Design Verifier be located overseas?

Yes. There is no requirement for the Designer and/or Design Verifier to be located in Australia. They must however fully understand their duties under South Australian WHS Legislation. Penalties apply for provision of false or misleading information.

Q7. Can a Designer and Design Verifier be employed by the same business?

Yes, the Designer and Design Verifier can be employed by the same organisation, but the Design Verifier must not have been involved in the production of the design. The design verification process must be independent of the Designer.

Q8. Does each pressure equipment item require individual design registration?

No, once the design is registered, there is no restriction on the number of pressure vessels that can be supplied, provided they comply with the registered design. The registration holder must ensure the design registration number is provided with each pressure vessel that is supplied.

Q9. Is interstate design registration recognised in South Australia?

Yes, interstate design registrations issued under a corresponding WHS law (i.e. a law of another Australian jurisdiction corresponding, or substantially corresponding, to the WHS Act 2012 (SA)) are recognised in South Australia. However, it is important to ensure the pressure equipment design also complies with relevant South Australian Approved Codes of Practice.

There may be Australian States or Territories who have introduced specific variations to the WHS model legislation and while the design may comply with the legislation in those jurisdictions, it may no longer fully comply with South Australian requirements. If this is the case, item of plant registration may be refused (i.e. design registration may not be recognised) because the design does not fully comply through a corresponding WHS law equivalent to that in South Australia.

Q10. Are overseas design registrations recognised?

Every pressure equipment item installed in South Australia must have an Australian design registration.

Q11. When is an Application for Alteration to a Design of a pressure equipment item

The WHS Regulations state that “In this regulation a reference to the alteration of a design is a reference to an alteration that may affect health or safety.”

What does that mean?

'Alter' in relation to any plant means to change the design of, add to or take away from the plant where the change may affect health or safety, but does not include routine maintenance, repairs or replacements.

When pressure equipment is first design registered, the design is based on certain criteria and specifications that set a minimum level of safety. If that level of safety is altered (i.e. structural integrity, capacity, safe operating limits) then an application for the alteration must be submitted to SafeWork SA.

Note: alterations must be compliant to the latest legislative requirements.

Q12. Does each manufactured pressure vessel require item of plant registration?

Yes, each applicable pressure vessel must be individually registered before being placed into service.

The item of plant registration number issued by SafeWork SA is specific to that pressure vessel.

The design registration number issued by SafeWork SA or an interstate regulator is unique to that model of pressure vessel and must be permanently marked on the pressure vessel.

Q13. What happens after I submit an application for plant registration?

After SafeWork SA receives an application and fee payment has been receipted:

  1. SafeWork SA will audit each section of the application form and supporting documentation. It is important that correct information is provided.
  2. If any information is missing, SafeWork SA will contact the applicant. This may cause delays in processing.
  3. Once details are audited and any additional requested information and/or revised documents received the application will be processed and the plant registered.
  4. A registration document (certificate) will be sent to the applicant. The document will contain information as submitted in the application form, the applicant details and the issued item of plant registration number. The registration number must be permanently displayed on the pressure equipment.
  5. The item of plant registration is valid for a 5-year term. When renewal is due, an invoice will be sent about one month before the registration expires to the recorded address of the registration holder.

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