Fire Training does not have to be delivered only by an RTO

It comes up from time to time, the question of what WHS training can or should be done by a Registered Training Provider (RTO), or by another type of vocational adult learning provider.

Considering that State health and safety laws - the legal instruments of which are the WHS Act and WHS Regulation - are enforced by the State regulators, providers of State-based legislation deliver training to meet the requirements of the Acts, Regulations and Regulator.

For example, the SafeWork NSW Health and Safety Representative courses (HSR and HSR Refresher) are training courses that an Approved Training Provider (ATP) can deliver on behalf of the Regulator which is SafeWork NSW.

Another example is Warden, Chief Warden, or Fire Extinguisher training. There is no specific legal requirement under any of the WHS or OHS Acts in Australia that only a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) must deliver fire warden or chief warden training. However, there are essential considerations regarding compliance, competency, and best practice, especially when aligned with AS 3745:2010 – Planning for Emergencies in Facilities.

Key points for fire training are:

1. Must align with AS 3745:2010 Compliance

2. Must be suitable, current, and competency-based.

3. Should include practical emergency response knowledge, evacuation protocols, and warden responsibilities.

4. Should include the use of equipment if the participants have not completed prior extinguisher training

For some businesses, fire training from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) is preferred, especially if the employee wants formal units of competency. The same training from non-RTO specialist training providers is acceptable if the course delivery and assessment demonstrate experience and compliance with AS 3745:2010 and the WHS Act.

Courtenell delivers fire extinguisher, fire warden, and chief fire warden training. The training is to the same standards as courses run by an RTO. It is not necessary (although it may be desirable for other reasons) to have an RTO deliver this same training. Either way, each person attending is certified to meet the requirements.

For more information on WHS training or WHS compliance services, or if you would like help to make your WHS management system even more robust, please feel free to contact us by email at train@courtenell.com.au or phone us on 02 9552 2066