What does it take to be an HSR trainer?

Courtenell put considerable effort into expanding its scope of WHS services in 2023. Being one of the oldest training providers in New South Wales, Courtenell has become the “one stop shop” for legislation-based WHS training and consulting services. 2025 is proving to be a busy year!

HSR training is one of our major training services. We regularly train people on the SafeWork NSW HSR courses at our public venues or for groups on site.

Increased HSR training in NSW

In 2025 we are seeing a continual increase of people becoming Health and Safety Representatives for their companies.

SafeWork NSW have been diligently pushing the requirements of the WHS Act and WHS Regulation to establish work groups and HSRs to assist businesses with their duties on health and safety matters. Consultation on workplace health and safety matters is mandatory for every business, company, and organisation and must be done before management makes the big decisions on their resolutions. Health and Safety Representatives play an important role in WHS consultation.

SafeWork NSW courses

Management may not necessarily act on the information, suggestions, or proposals obtained from the people who may be affected by the matter but must be able to prove it consulted with them in the first place.

Two courses of training for HSRs are offered by SafeWork NSW:

• initial HSR training which consists of 35 hours face-to-face training over a period of five days

• refresher HSR training which consists of a minimum of seven hours face-to-face training over a period of one day.

The initial 5-day HSR course teaches HSRs about WHS requirements in New South Wales, WHS risk management principles, consultation on WHS matters, and their role as HSRs. The refresher course is an annual entitlement and offers HSRs a chance to keep up with any industry changes (such as Industrial Manslaughter law which came in in September 2024) since they did their initial training.

HSR delivery requirements

To be able to deliver the SafeWork NSW HSRs courses, trainers must be registered and approved with SafeWork NSW as an “approved training provider” (ATP.)

An applicant may be a training organisation, a company or a sole trader. The applicant must be able to meet all requirements to become an ATP for HSR training.

HSR trainer prerequisites are minimum Certificate IV in Training and Assessment – TAE40116 and:

• a minimum two years relevant experience in an occupational or work health and safety role, or

• relevant tertiary or vocational qualifications in a field related to occupational or work health and safety. For example, a Graduate Diploma of Workplace Health and Safety.

Note: there is no requirement to be a Registered training organisation (RTO) to deliver HSR training on behalf of SafeWork NSW. Trainers and training providers are approved directly by SafeWork NSW.

Opportunities for HSR trainers

Here at Courtenell we are always looking for new trainers to join us. As demand for service increases, so is the need for additional trainers and consultants to meet demands. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming an HSR trainer and maybe train for a NSW training provider that has been in the business for over 30 years feel free to contact us on 02 9552 20266 or at train@courtenell.com.au