Initial HSR Training
5-day regulator-approved courses. Choose the five-day HSR training program approved for your workplace jurisdiction: NSW, ACT or Comcare/Commonwealth.
Regulator-approved HSR training
Initial HSR — Australia learning pathway
This approved HSR pathway develops practical knowledge of the legal framework, representation, consultation, risk management and the powers available to trained HSRs.
Day 1 — legal framework
Interpret WHS legislation, key duty holders, legal obligations and the role of the regulator.
Day 2 — representation
Establish representation arrangements, work groups, HSRs, Deputy HSRs and committee relationships.
Day 3 — consultation
Build practical consultation, communication and issue-resolution skills for representing workers.
Day 4 — risk management
Monitor workplace risk management through inspections, incident information, hazards and control measures.
Day 5 — HSR powers
Understand the formal powers and escalation processes available to trained HSRs under the relevant framework.
Practical activities
Use group work, scenarios and workplace examples to connect the legislation with day-to-day HSR responsibilities.
Assessment and participation
Learning is activity-based and requires participation in the approved course program and practical exercises.
Completion evidence
Participants who meet the course requirements receive the completion evidence applicable to the approved HSR program.
Choose your 5-Day Initial HSR course
HSR training is approved separately by each regulator, so choose the program matching the jurisdiction that covers your workplace.
NSW Initial HSR
SafeWork NSW approved five-day initial HSR training with public live Zoom and dedicated workplace delivery options.
View NSW
Comcare Initial HSR
Comcare approved five-day HSR training for Commonwealth workplaces, including public live online delivery.
View Comcare
ACT Initial HSR
WorkSafe ACT approved five-day HSR training delivered face-to-face for ACT workplaces.
View ACT
Elected HSRs and Deputy HSRs whose work group is covered by the Australia workplace health and safety framework should use this approved pathway.
Participants interpret the applicable WHS legislation, regulator role, duty holders and the legal context in which an HSR represents workers.
Training covers work groups, elected HSRs, Deputy HSRs, Health and Safety Committees and other consultation arrangements.
Participants practise consultation, communication, negotiation and issue resolution so worker concerns can be raised and addressed effectively.
The course covers workplace inspections, hazard identification, risk assessment, control measures and monitoring of workplace risk-management systems.
Participants consider incident notification, investigation, contributing factors and the information HSRs can use when representing their work group.
Training explains the additional powers and processes available to trained HSRs, including formal escalation tools under the applicable jurisdiction.
Initial HSR training runs over five training days. Participants must meet the attendance and participation requirements described on the relevant course page.
Initial HSR — Australia course information
This approved HSR pathway develops practical knowledge of the legal framework, representation, consultation, risk management and the powers available to trained HSRs.
Detailed course information
Who it is for
Course content
At a glance
Key information about 5 training days, Regulator approved and Practical activities.NSW courseComcare courseACT course
Initial HSR Training5 training days
The initial approved program is delivered across five training days.
Regulator approved
Use the NSW, ACT or Comcare course approved for the jurisdiction applying to your workplace.
Practical activities
Learning uses consultation exercises, workplace scenarios, risk-management activities and HSR-role practice.
Participant feedback — Initial HSR Training
Published feedback from people and organisations who have completed this training.
Participant feedbackAnthony B — 5/5
I recently organised and completed the HSR course with all the health and safety reps at work, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the entire experience.
Richard O'S — 5/5
Completed HSR training with Kate. Kate was professional and knew the Act. Engaged with us on a level we all could understand.
John G — 5/5
Good pace, well set out and planned. Not too difficult to follow along and understand.
Anthony I — 5/5
The training very much improved my understanding about the powers of HSRs and identifying hazards.
Roxxanne R — 5/5
Absolute perfect.
Amanda F — 5/5
I recently completed a 5 day OHS course online with Kate and found it to be an excellent experience. Kate was very easy to understand and explained everything clearly.
Initial HSR Training — at a glance
View NSW HSR Training
Five-day approved program
Five-day approved HSR training with jurisdiction-specific regulator requirements, practical activities and completion evidence.
View all HSR trainingFive-day approved program
Initial HSR training is delivered over five training days with the approved learning activities required by the relevant regulator.
Jurisdiction-specific approval
Choose the NSW, ACT or Comcare initial HSR course that matches the legal framework covering your workplace.
Practical learning
The course uses scenarios, discussion, consultation exercises and risk-management activities to build practical HSR capability.
Completion evidence
Participants who complete the approved program receive the applicable regulator HSR training certificate or attendance record.
Initial HSR — Australia FAQs
Detailed answers to common questions about eligibility, course content, delivery and completion. Use the questions below to understand the information on this page, what it means in practice, where to find related details and what to do next. Review the linked information carefully, and contact the training team if you need clarification before making a booking, submitting an enquiry or taking the next step.
Frequently asked questionsAn HSR is a worker elected by a work group to represent its health and safety interests and participate in workplace consultation.
The applicable WHS legislation and regulator rules set the employer or PCBU obligations when an elected HSR is entitled to approved training.
Choose the NSW, ACT or Commonwealth/Comcare pathway according to the legal framework covering the workplace and work group.
The initial program covers legislation, representation, consultation, risk management, incident processes and the powers available to trained HSRs.
Refresher training updates eligible HSRs on the legal framework, consultation, risk management and the practical use of their role and powers.
Approved live online delivery is available where permitted by the regulator and current course approval. Check the course page before booking.
Dedicated workplace delivery can be arranged where the regulator approval and course delivery requirements allow it.
Initial HSR training runs over five training days. Refresher training is a one-day program for eligible previously trained HSRs.
Assessment is practical and activity-based, with participation in the required exercises and learning activities.
Use the relevant jurisdiction course or booking page for current dates, delivery, pricing and availability.
No. This is regulator-approved HSR training rather than a nationally accredited VET qualification, so a Unique Student Identifier is not required.
No. The initial five-day certificate remains valid. Annual refresher training is a separate entitlement rather than a renewal of the initial certificate.
No. The WHS Act restricts the powers to issue a Provisional Improvement Notice and to direct unsafe work to cease to HSRs who have completed approved HSR training.
Yes. Managers and supervisors can attend for a detailed grounding in WHS law, duties and consultation, but the HSR role itself is a worker-representative role.
No. Your existing initial certificate remains valid. Updated refresher training may cover newer material, but repeating the five-day initial course is not required solely because the course content was updated.
Initial HSR course outcomes
Training informationInitial HSR training develops the knowledge and skills elected representatives need to participate in consultation, understand the WHS legislative framework, identify and respond to hazards and risks, contribute to issue resolution and understand the functions and powers available to an HSR. Course approval, delivery requirements and completion evidence depend on the jurisdiction, so participants should select the course approved for the regulator covering their workplace.
Training information
Initial HSR training develops the knowledge and skills elected representatives need to participate in consultation, understand the WHS legislative framework, identify and respond to hazards and risks, contribute to issue resolution and understand the functions and powers available to an HSR. Course approval, delivery requirements and completion evidence depend on the jurisdiction, so participants should select the course approved for the regulator covering their workplace.
Contact our team if you need help choosing the right training option.
the correct
Practical next stepsReview the current course information, delivery options and booking details. Group and workplace delivery may be available where stated. Contact the training team if you need help choosing the right option or deciding what to do next.
Step 1
Identify the jurisdiction
Confirm whether the workplace is covered by NSW, ACT or Commonwealth/Comcare arrangements.
Step 2
Choose the initial HSR course
Open the regulator-specific initial HSR page and review its eligibility, delivery and duration information.
Step 3
Check dates and booking
Use the relevant course page or contact the training team to confirm current dates and delivery.
Useful HSR resources
Further informationContact our team if you need help choosing the right training option.Further informationParticipants are encouraged to use the relevant regulator resources for their jurisdiction, including HSR guidance, representative toolkits and approved-training information from SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe ACT, Comcare and Safe Work Australia as applicable.View trainingContact usParticipants are encouraged to use the relevant regulator resources for their jurisdiction, including HSR guidance, representative toolkits and approved-training information from SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe ACT, Comcare and Safe Work Australia as applicable.
