WorkSafe-approved training
Initial and Refresher courses for elected HSRs in Victorian workplaces, delivered under section 67 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and approved by WorkSafe Victoria.
Status, in plain English
Apex is not yet a WorkSafe-approved HSR training provider. Our trainers are completing the qualifications, knowledge, and experience that WorkSafe requires before approval can be granted.
We will update this page the day our application is approved. Until then, the courses below are not bookable, and we won't suggest otherwise.
If you need HSR training before our approval comes through, get in touch anyway. We're happy to point you to currently-approved providers who can deliver in the meantime.
The basics
A Health and Safety Representative (HSR) is an employee elected by their workgroup to represent them on health and safety matters. The role is set out in part 7 of the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.
Under section 67 of the Act, every newly elected HSR is entitled to attend WorkSafe-approved Initial training, and every continuing HSR is entitled to attend annual Refresher training. The HSR chooses the course, in consultation with their employer.
WorkSafe approves both the providers and the course materials. That's what makes it different from generic safety training: only WorkSafe-approved courses count toward an HSR's legislative entitlement.
In short
What we will deliver
Course one
A five-day face-to-face course for newly elected HSRs and deputy HSRs. Covers the role, rights, and powers of an HSR under the OHS Act, hazard identification, risk control, consultation, and the process for issuing Provisional Improvement Notices.
Dates open once our application is approved.
Course two
A one-day face-to-face course for continuing HSRs, taken annually. Refreshes the core content of the Initial course and updates participants on legislative, regulatory, and code-of-practice changes in the previous year.
Dates open once our application is approved.
Two regulators, two scopes
Our nationally recognised qualifications and units of competency are delivered under our Registered Training Organisation registration with ASQA. Examples include HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid and SIS30521 - Certificate III in Sport Coaching.
Outcome: nationally recognised Statement of Attainment or AQF qualification.
HSR training is approved separately by WorkSafe under section 67 of the OHS Act. It is not a VET product and does not sit on our ASQA scope. It is delivered under our non-accredited offering once WorkSafe approval is in place.
Outcome: WorkSafe Certificate of Attendance, recognised in Victorian workplaces.
We mention this because it matters under both the Standards for RTOs 2025 (information and transparency) and WorkSafe's marketing condition 5.4.2. A Certificate of Attendance from a WorkSafe-approved HSR course is not an AQF qualification, and we won't blur the line.
Why we are doing this
Our Health, Safety and Wellbeing programs cover WHS participation, psychosocial safety, hazard management, and personal safety. HSR training extends that work into a regulated, worker-elected channel.
WorkSafe requires approved providers to maintain a Victorian office. We do. HSR training is a Victorian product, and we think it should be delivered by Victorian practitioners who understand the local regulatory and industrial context.
Our preference is for instructors who have done the work, not career presenters. The HSR role is a hands-on one, and the training should match that.
Register your interest and we'll let you know the moment WorkSafe approves us. No marketing list, no follow-up sequence, just one email when there's something to say.
Adrian leads our compliance and operations work, including the WorkSafe application. He's the right person if you have questions about timing, scope, or how HSR training will sit alongside our other programs.
For HSRs and employers
The official starting point for HSRs, employers, and workgroup members. Includes the current list of approved training providers.
The Victorian Act that sets out the HSR role, rights, and the section 67 training entitlement. Authoritative source.
HSR training is currently outside Apex's approved scope. The information on this page is provided to set realistic expectations and to comply with our obligations under both the Standards for RTOs 2025 (information and transparency) and WorkSafe's marketing condition 5.4.2 (marketing must be accurate and consistent with approval status).
