WA miners need to meet the regulatory requirements of statutory positions as soon as possible to ensure they are available to work and avoid disruptions.
WorkSafe WA is urging Western Australia’s mine operators to support their statutory position holders as the deadline approaches for these workers to complete the mandatory accreditation process and comply with the state’s relatively new legislation.
Statutory position holders are some of the WA resources sector’s key personnel in the day-to-day management of on-site safety systems, principal mining hazards and contractors.
The four-year transitional period after which WA’s statutory position holders must meet role-specific criteria to satisfy the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 ends on March 30, 2026.
The accreditation process differs depending on the statutory position, but almost all candidates must pass an examination on WA’s work health and safety laws.
Efforts from employees, employers and WorkSafe’s WA statutory positions team resulted in nearly 13,000 candidates passing a legislation exam by the end of the 2024–25 financial year.
Despite promising progress – more than 1500 candidates passed an exam at a success rate of just under 95 per cent in June 2025 – WorkSafe WA estimates 25,000 people still need accreditations. This means WA’s mining industry is slightly more than halfway to full compliance, with time running out.
WorkSafe WA does not anticipate an extension of the transitional period beyond March 30, 2026.
WorkSafe Mines Safety director Tony Robertson told Mining that WA’s resources sector must meet the regulatory requirements regarding statutory positions as soon as possible to avoid potential disruptions.
“Whether you’re managing a sports side competing for gold or a mine site digging for gold, your success hinges on your squad’s availability,” he said. “If your key personnel aren’t available, they can’t help you succeed. That’s why so many champion coaches say availability is the best ability.
“If you’re a mining executive who manages statutory position holders, support your crew’s star players in the accreditation process so you can roster them beyond the March 30, 2026 deadline. No boss wants to change a winning team.
“Human nature means there’s likely to be a last-minute scramble for spots at the exam venues in Bunbury, Kalgoorlie and Perth. There are hundreds of seats available at all locations now. Encourage your staff to avoid the inevitable rush.”
WorkSafe WA’s website outlines the statutory positions framework, which is designed to help ensure people in supervisory roles have the information and training they need to meet work health and safety requirements and support a safer WA mining industry.
This article appeared in the Spring edition of Mining Magazine.
