As a Health and Safety Representative (HSR), it is important that you properly understand your role and how, where and when to use the legal information given to you.

To help develop the skills needed to effectively represent workers in their work group, you are entitled to attend approved HSR training and should do so as soon as possible after being elected.

HSR Training courses for 2024

Training entitlements

All HSRs and deputy HSRs are entitled to attend approved training during each year of their term of office, with course costs and time off work paid for.

In consultation with your employer, you can choose the course and the training provider. Check the 2024 training calendar for details of upcoming courses.

Training entitlements during a 3-year term of office are:

  • First year – 5 days
  • Second year – 3 days
  • Third year – 2 days.

See HSR Training courses for 2024.

The initial 5 days of training must be completed in the first year of office. You can then select from 3‑day, 2‑day and 1‑day course options in subsequent years or terms of office. If you are re‑elected for another 3‑year term, you will have the same training entitlements.

Your employer must allow you to attend HSR training (up to the prescribed training entitlement) within 3 months of making a request. This training time must be paid at your usual pay rate. Your employer must also cover the course fees and any other reasonable costs.

There are additional training, workshops, seminars and/or relevant conferences held throughout the year which are outside the HSR training entitlement days. You will need to negotiate attendance at these courses with your employer.

Courses

HSRs must attend approved training courses. See approved HSR Training courses for 2024.

The training calendar is updated as and when dates are announced by the training providers. We do not sponsor or endorse, nor can we recommend, any particular training provider.

The courses will cover the following content:

5-day course (first year initial training):

  • interpreting the work health and safety (WHS) legislative framework and its relationship to the HSR
  • identifying key parties, legislative obligations and duties
  • establishing representation in the workplace
  • participating in consultation and issue resolution
  • representing members in the WHS risk management process undertaken by the PCBU
  • issuing a provisional improvement notice and directing the cessation of work.

3-day course (second year training):

  • participating in, and contributing to, the formation of risk management processes and controls for multiple hazards, complex risks and concepts of reasonably practicable undertaken by the PCBU
  • participating in, and contributing to, the gathering of hazard and risk-related statistical data and information for identifying and controlling multiple hazards and complex risks
  • representing members in the formation of WHS action plans for multiple hazards and complex risks.

2-day course (third year training):

  • aims to add and extend to the range of skills and knowledge acquired in the 5 day and 3 day initial courses. An important feature of the course design is the flexibility of topics to enable participants to select areas directly relevant to their workplace management structure and own experience.

1-day refresher and topic-specific options:

  • WHS refresher, aimed at providing a brief overview of the learning outcomes covered during an HSR’s first term of office, with particular attention to amendments to WHS legislation and supporting resources.
  • consultation processes
  • contributing to workplace health and wellbeing
  • fatigue management
  • inappropriate behaviours
  • inspections and incident investigation
  • policy and procedures.

Remote Area Subsidy

The HSR Remote Area Subsidy is intended to make a contribution towards additional travel, accommodation and meal expenses for participants who meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility criteria includes:

  • either:
    • a participant’s registered place of work is more than 100km from one of the following regional training centres:
      • Barossa Valley
      • Millicent
      • Mount Gambier
      • Murray Bridge
      • Port Augusta
      • Port Lincoln
      • Port Pirie
      • Whyalla; and
    • the training centre a participant attended for HSR training was more than 100km from their registered place of work; or
  • the participant works in a high-risk occupation or high-risk industry
  • the participant’s employer:
    • has less than 100 workers (worldwide); and
    • is not self-insured.

We must receive applications for the subsidy within 12 months of the date of course completion.

The participant/employer must provide evidence (receipts) to support the application. The subsidy is discretional and circumstances are considered on an individual basis and in the context of the stated eligibility criteria.

Examples of circumstances may be where the HSR is from a very small business experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford to pay for the HSR’s travel/accommodation costs, as well as wages for the duration of the course (required under the WHS Act).

For more information contact our Help Centre on 1300 365 255.

Training providers

Training providers who wish to deliver training for elected Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and deputy HSRs in South Australia can apply to us for approval.

Prospective training providers must:

  • ensure they have sufficient resources to undertake the administrative activities necessary to comply
  • apply for approval by referring to the guidelines which include an application form
  • develop HSR training courses for approval by referring to our 5-day, 3-day, 2-day and 1-day course learning objectives and outcomes.

Find a provider

These training organisations are currently offering HSR training.

Access Training Centre
7 La Salle Street, Dudley Park SA 5008
Phone: 8169 9800
Email: info@accesstrainingcentre.com.au
www.accesstrainingcentre.com.au

Adelaide Training and Employment Centre (ATEC)
275 Grand Junction Road, Ottoway SA 5013
Phone: 8444 1608
Email: bookings@atec.asn.au
www.atec.asn.au

ASC Training and Development
Level 2, 185 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: 8410 2627
Email: info@asctraining.com.au
www.asctraining.com.au

Business SA
136 Greenhill Road, Unley SA 5061
Phone: 8300 0103
Email: training@business-sa.com
www.business-sa.com

Construction Industry Training Centre
491 - 499 South Road, Regency Park SA 5010
Phone: 8301 4500
Email: info@citc.com.au
www.citc.com.au

Gramac Solutions
1a Hedley Street, Mount Gambier SA 5290
Phone: 8724 8577
Email: info@gramac.com.au
www.gramactraining.com.au

JobSafe SA
22-24 Main Street, Mawson Lakes SA 5095
Phone: 8360 1920
Email: training@jobsafesa.asn.au
www.jobsafesa.asn.au

Fire and Safety Australia Pty Ltd (NSCA)
6-7 Hartnett Close, Mulgrave Vic 3170
Phone: 1800 655 510
Email: training@nsca.org.au
www.nsca.org.au

Paragon Work Health Safety Pty Ltd
PO Box 24, O'Sullivan Beach, SA 5166
Phone:0407 828 879
Email: peter@paragonwhs.com
www.paragonwhs.com

SA Unions
170 Greenhill Road, Parkside SA 5063
Phone: 8279 2217
Email: training@saunions.org
www.saunions.org.au

Sustainable Risk Solutions Pty Ltd
PO Box 10369, Adelaide BC SA 5000
Phone: 8391 6246
Email: info@sustainablerisk.com.au
www.sustainablerisk.com.au

TAFE SA
Dumas Street, Mount Barker SA 5251
Phone: 1800 882 661
Email: shortcourses@tafesa.edu.au
www.tafesa.edu.au/short-courses

United Workers Union
Unit 1-101 Henley Beach Road, Mile End SA 5031
Phone: 1300 275 689
Email: training@unitedworkers.org.au
www.unitedworkers.org.au