What is RSHQ Practising Certificate Scheme?
RSHQ Practising Certificate Scheme is a Certificate issued to an individual to prove ongoing competency of one or more Certificates of Competency or Notices.
This is a separate Certificate to a Certificate of Competency or Notice which is issued to you by the Board of Examiners initially upon successful assessment. The Practising Certificate will allow you to be appointed and work in your statutory role.
The authority that administers the practising certificate is Resources Safety and Health Queensland as per legislation
When does the RSHQ Practising Certificate Scheme come into effect?
10th June 2025
How long does the RSHQ Practising Certificate Scheme last?
Five (5) years with a prescribed minimum number of hours or CPD points per year to maintain your certificate.
What happens if I don’t hold a RSHQ Practising Certificate Scheme?
You will not be a participant in the scheme; therefore, you will forgo your ability to work in a statutory role once the legislation enactment date passes.
You will not be able to exercise your statutory function in Queensland.
How do I renew my Practising Certificate?
Your Practising Certificate will automatically generate upon expiration of the previous Practising Certificate and at the start of the new 5-year cycle. The PCS management system will prompt you to update your details. It is important that you ensure you have all your activities loaded prior to this date to ensure the system renews your currency.
Can my employer ask the status of my Practising Certificate?
Upon commencement of the anticipated legislative amendments, your employer will be entitled to ask for the status of your Practising Certificate to meet their obligations under the Act.
How do I maintain my Practising Certificate?
Upon successful registration for the Practising Certificate Scheme, you will receive the following:
A Registration Confirmation email, detailing
- Your Highest Level of Responsibility
- Your Total Required Hours, to be obtained over the 5-year cycle
- Your minimum learning hours required each year
The email contains a link to the Portal sign in page. You are responsible for uploaded your completed learning activities.
Your Practising Certificate can be obtained when you log into the Portal
The Professional Development Opportunities tables can be accessed via the Knowledge Base Articles in the Portal. Use the Professional Development Opportunities table to plan out your learning activities in accordance with your minimum and maximum annual learning hour requirements, and total required hours over the five-year period.
Upon completion of each learning, lodge details and evidence of each activity via the portal.
NOTE:
Activities completed prior to your registration date will not be accepted.
All activities lodged will be subject to audit
What study or training can I claim?
The details are available from the Professional Development Opportunities table for all pre-approved courses and activities.
Credit for activities not authorised by the Board will not be approved.
Recognised Hours will only be granted up to the maximum hours, as listing on the Professional Development Opportunities table
The details of approved CPD activities are available from:
- www.boepcs.qld.gov.au
- www.rshq.qld.gov.au
What types of learning and training courses are recognised under the scheme?
For details of all approved activities and limits for each, refer to:
- Professional Development Opportunities tables
- Competency Activity Limits table
There are five Activity Types:
- Conference
- Course
- Industry participation
- Reading
- Site visit
Learning Activities:
- vary according to the Highest Level of Responsibility held by each Practising Certificate Holder.
- have a maximum number of hours claimable
- per year or
- per activity
- There are caps on total hours that can be obtained each year, against each activity type
What can’t I claim?
- Unstructured conversations, unless within a formally recognised mentoring program
- Lunch breaks at conferences, workshops, training courses etc
- General meetings with clients, government officers etc
- Attending meetings unless you are acquiring a specific pertinent skill
- Inductions
If you undertake an activity that is not one of these above, and you feel it has a demonstrable safety or health outcome, you are able to apply to the Board of Examiners for this to become an approved activity.
What is Highest Level of Responsibility (HLR)?
The Highest Level of Responsibility is the highest competency level held
| Highest Level of Responsibility | Levels | Total Learning Hours Required | Minimum Annual Learning Hours | Maximum Annual Learning Hours |
| 1st Class Mine Manager 2nd Class Mine Manager | 1 2 | 150 | 30 | 38 |
| Site Senior Executive | 3 | 135 | 27 | 34 |
| Ventilation Officer Deputy | 4 5 | 120 | 24 | 30 |
