A person who holds a relevant qualification (see below) is eligible for a deputy’s certificate for underground coal mines if the person:

• reaches 23 years of age; and
• passes an applicable legislation examination for a deputy’s certificate for underground coal mines, and works at an underground coal mine for at least 2 years; and
• while working at an underground coal mine, has experience carrying out each relevant activity (see below) for at least 3 months, and working for at least 6 months in mine ventilation, mine planning or mine emergency management; and
• successfully completes an approved WHS risk management unit for a deputy’s certificate for underground coal mines; and
• is of good character; and
• receives first aid training.

Relevant qualification means

• a degree in mining engineering or science from an Australian university; or
• a diploma in mining from an Australian university or TAFE; or
• a qualification approved by MCAC to be equivalent to the degree or diploma mentioned above.

A person who does not holds a relevant qualification is eligible for a deputy’s certificate for underground coal mines if the person:

• reaches 23 years of age; and
• passes a mining practice examination for a deputy’s certificate for underground coal mines, passes an applicable legislation examination for a deputy’s certificate for underground coal mines, and works at an underground coal mine for at least 5 years; and
• while working at an underground coal mine, has experience carrying out each relevant activity (see below) for at least 3 months, and working for at least 6 months in mine ventilation, mine planning or mine emergency management; and
• successfully completes an approved WHS risk management unit for a deputy’s certificate for underground coal mines; and
• is of good character; and
• receives first aid training.

Relevant activity means

• installing ground support; and
• production activities at the coal face.

Approved WHS management units

Statutory certification requires completion of the national units of competency in health and safety risk management approved for this certificate.

Assessment of "good character”

Statutory certification requires a person to be “of good character”. The assessment by the Competence Advisory Committee is based on the National Police Certificate.

First aid training

HLTAID011 Provide First Aid is the minimum requirement for statutory certification.

Application fee

No fee payable to sit the work health and safety examination