Understanding Statutory Training Requirements in the WA Mining Industry

If you work in a WA mining operation or you’re responsible for appointing people to key roles, understanding statutory training obligations isn’t optional. Under the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022, workers in designated statutory positions must complete regulator-approved training before they can be formally appointed. Getting this wrong puts your workers, your operation, and your compliance standing at risk.

This guide breaks down exactly which roles are affected, what training is required, and how the appointment process works under current WA mining regulations.

Key Takeaways

• Statutory positions in WA mining are governed by the WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022, with training requirements set out in Schedule 26.
• Two training tiers apply: manager-level (3 units) and supervisor-level (2 units) — both DEMIRS-approved.
• Workers must complete approved training AND pass the DEMIRS statutory examination before formal appointment.
• QPTS (RTO 40804) delivers both statutory courses in Perth, with face-to-face and online delivery options.

What Are Statutory Positions Under WA Mining Regulations?

Under the WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022, a statutory position is a formally designated role with defined health, safety, and operational responsibilities at a mine site. Workers can’t simply be assigned these titles; they must be trained, examined, and formally appointed by the mine operator in line with regulatory requirements.

Statutory positions are divided into two tiers based on the level of responsibility.

Manager-Level Statutory Positions

Statutory Position	Primary Responsibility
Site Senior Executive	Overall mine safety and compliance
Exploration Manager	Safety management at exploration sites
Underground Manager	Underground mining operations
Quarry Manager	Quarry site safety and operations
Underground Ventilation Officer	Mine atmosphere and ventilation systems
Radiation Safety Officer	Radiation hazard management and control

Supervisor-Level Statutory Positions

Statutory Position	Primary Responsibility
Underground Supervisor (non-coal and coal)	Supervision of underground workers
Restricted Quarry Manager	Smaller quarry site management
Statutory Supervisor	General workplace WHS supervision
Mine Air Quality Officer	Air quality monitoring and management
Noise Officer	Occupational noise hazard management
Electrical Supervisor	Electrical systems safety

If you hold or are being nominated for any of these roles, completing the relevant approved training is a legal prerequisite under WA mining regulations.

What Training Is Required for Statutory Positions in WA?

The required training is made up of DEMIRS-approved WHS risk management units listed in Schedule 26 of the WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022. The units you need depend on whether you’re being appointed to a manager-level or supervisor-level position.

Unit Code	Unit Title	Who Needs It
BSBWHS411	Implement and Monitor WHS Policies, Procedures and Programs	Managers and Supervisors
RIIRIS402E	Carry Out Risk Management Processes	Managers and Supervisors
RIIRIS501E	Implement and Maintain Management Systems to Control Risk	Manager-level only

Statutory Manager Training

The Statutory Manager course covers all three units and is delivered over three days, two days of face-to-face training in Perth ($520/person) and one day of self-paced online learning ($275/person). The course prepares candidates for the DEMIRS statutory examination required before formal appointment.

Course content includes:

• WHS legislative frameworks for the mining industry
• Mine safety management systems
• Incident investigation and reporting procedures
• Risk identification, assessment, control, and review
• Communication, consultation, and training obligations

Statutory Supervisor Training

The Statutory Supervisor course covers BSBWHS411 and RIIRIS402E across two days of face-to-face training ($590/person per unit). It targets workers being appointed to supervisor-level statutory roles under Part 10.7A and Schedule 26 of the WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022.

Prerequisites for Both Courses

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Year 10 education, Certificate III, or equivalent work experience
•  English proficiency for workplace communication
• A Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) assessment is required before the Supervisor course commences

What Role Does DEMIRS Play in Statutory Training?

DEMIRS — the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety is the WA government body responsible for regulating the mining industry. In the context of statutory training, it has three key functions:

1.  Approves the training units that statutory courses must cover (Schedule 26 and 27)
2.   Administers the statutory examination candidates must pass before appointment
3.  Enforces compliance with the WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022 under Regulations 621, 622, and 675ZZJ

Important: Completing training through a DEMIRS-aligned provider ensures the units you complete are accepted for the statutory examination. Not all training providers deliver against the correct regulatory framework. Always confirm your RTO is aligned with DEMIRS requirements before enrolling.

What Other Safety Training Do WA Mining Workers Need?

Statutory training applies to appointed position holders, but WA mine sites also carry broader safety training obligations for the wider workforce. Depending on the tasks performed on site, workers may need competencies in:

Training	When It’s Required	Link
Working at Heights	Any task where falls from height are a risk	qpts.com.au/short-courses/working-at-heights-half-day/
Confined Spaces	Entry to tanks, tunnels, or enclosed mine areas	qpts.com.au/short-courses/confined-spaces-half-day/
Gas Test Atmospheres	Atmospheric monitoring before confined space entry	qpts.com.au/short-courses/gas-test-atmospheres/
Verification of Competence (VoC)	Ongoing competency confirmation (recommended every 24 months)	qpts.com.au/verification-of-competence-voc/

PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) have a duty under WA work health and safety law to ensure their workers are competent to perform tasks safely. A Verification of Competence assessment is a practical way to confirm that competency is current, not just that a qualification was once held. This matters particularly where workers were trained several years ago or where legislation and best practices have since changed.

How Do You Get Appointed to a Statutory Position in WA?

The pathway to statutory appointment follows a defined sequence. Skipping any step can invalidate the appointment and expose the operation to regulatory risk.

1. Identify the position tier — Confirm whether the role is manager-level or supervisor-level, as this determines which training units apply.
2.  Complete approved training — Enrol in the relevant statutory course through a DEMIRS-aligned RTO. QPTS delivers both the Statutory Manager and Statutory Supervisor courses in Perth.
3.  Pass the DEMIRS examination — Sit and pass the statutory examination for your nominated position as administered by DEMIRS.
4.  Formal nomination and appointment — The mine operator formally nominates and appoints the worker under the WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022.
5. Training through a nationally registered RTO ensures your competency records are recognised across Australia and that the units completed align exactly with the DEMIRS Schedule 26 requirements.