The PSA CPSU NSW is now accepting expressions of interest for a five-day Health and Safety Representative (HSR) initial training course to be held at PSA House in Sydney on 9-13 November 2026 inclusive.
About the course
This five-day initial course is designed to give elected HSRs the knowledge, skills, and confidence to exercise their powers under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) and represent workers on health and safety matters in their workplace.
Participants will cover:
- The purpose and principles of WHS legislation, including the duties of a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs), officers, workers, and other duty holders.
- The role, functions, powers, and limitations of HSRs and Health and Safety Committees (HSCs).
- Consultation, cooperation, and coordination to improve workplace safety.
- Hazard identification, risk assessment, and control measures.
- Workplace inspections, incident notification, and issue resolution procedures.
- The use of Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) and the power to direct workers to cease unsafe work where permitted.
By the end of the course, participants will be better equipped to:
- Understand and apply the role of an HSR under the WHS Act and Regulations.
- Promote effective consultation between workers and management on WHS issues.
- Identify hazards, assess risks, and support practical control measures.
- Conduct workplace inspections and contribute to ongoing WHS improvements.
- Assist in incident and near miss investigations.
- Advocate for safer work design, policies, and practices in their workplace.
- Issue PINs and direct workers to cease unsafe work where permitted.
Who should attend?
This course is intended for workers who have been elected as HSRs or Deputy HSRs for their work group under the WHS Act. It is relevant across workplaces where consultation on health and safety is required and where workers want to play an active role in improving WHS outcomes.
Certification
Participants will receive a Health and Safety Representative Training Statement of Attendance issued by the Public Service Association of NSW (SafeWork NSW RTO Approval Number: RTO800661).
Completion of the initial course supports HSRs to understand and exercise their functions under the legislation, including issue resolution processes and the use of powers available under the WHS framework.
Prerequisites and attendance requirements
There are no formal academic prerequisites. To attend, participants must:
- Be elected by their work group as an HSR or Deputy HSR.
- Provide a copy of their HSR or Deputy HSR appointment letter before training.
- Present valid identification, such as a driver licence or passport, to the trainer for verification purposes.
- Please note: all training must be completed in consecutive sequences and if you miss one day you will be required to attend a future training date(s) or repeat the course entirely.
Fees and employer obligations
The course fee is $880.00 including GST.
Elected HSRs are entitled to attend HSR training, and employers must allow them paid time off to attend within three months of the HSR requesting training. Employers are also required to cover the course costs and other reasonable attendance costs associated with the training. After completing the initial five-day course, HSRs are entitled to attend a one-day refresher course each year of their term of office.
Register your interest
Expressions of interest are now open HERE.
Survey closes at 5:00pm on Friday, 30 October 2026.