1
Initial Skills Review
Your work history, responsibilities and existing qualifications are reviewed.
RPL Process
How the RPL Process Works
3
Evidence Review
Your workplace documents are considered against the relevant units.
4
Assessment
The RTO assessor evaluates your existing competency.
5
Further Evidence or Gap Requirements
Additional evidence, questioning or gap training may be required where competency has not yet been demonstrated.
6
Final Outcome
The Registered Training Organisation determines the assessment and qualification outcome.
Qualification Overview
Qualification Overview
Qualification CodeBSB51319
Diploma of Work Health and Safety
The Diploma is intended for people who already coordinate or lead safety processes, rather than workers who only participate in them.
View Certificate Options| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualification Code | BSB51319 |
| Qualification Name | Diploma of Work Health and Safety |
| AQF Level | Diploma |
| Total Units | 10 |
| Core Units | 5 |
| Elective Units | 5 |
| Status | Current nationally recognised qualification |
Suitability
Who May Be Suitable?
This pathway may be relevant to experienced professionals such as:
WHS Managers
Safety Managers
WHS Advisors
WHS Coordinators
Senior Safety Officers
HSE Managers and Advisors
OHS Managers
Site Safety Managers
WHS Consultants
Supervisors with substantial safety responsibilities
Your job title alone does not determine suitability. What matters is the level of responsibility you already hold and the evidence you can provide.
Relevant Experience
What Type of Experience Is Relevant?
You may have suitable experience if you already:
The Diploma is intended for people who already coordinate or lead safety processes, rather than workers who only participate in them.
Evidence Checklist
What Evidence Can Support Your Assessment?
Your evidence should demonstrate what you personally manage, coordinate or lead.
Employment Evidence
- Resume or CV
- Position descriptions
- Employment contracts
- Statements of service
- Employer references
- Organisational charts
Risk and Safety Management Evidence
- Risk-management plans
- Risk registers
- Hazard registers
- Risk assessments
- Safety audit reports
- Workplace inspection records
- Corrective-action registers
- Performance reports
Incident and Consultation Evidence
- Incident investigation reports
- Root-cause analysis
- Corrective-action plans
- Safety committee records
- HSR consultation records
- Worker consultation documentation
- Toolbox meeting records
Systems and Procedures
- Safety-management plans
- Policies and procedures
- Emergency plans
- Contractor safety records
- Training records
- Management reports
- System review documents
Not every applicant will need the same documents. Evidence requirements depend on the units being assessed and the responsibilities you have performed.
Strong Evidence
What Makes Strong Evidence?
Diploma-level evidence should show responsibility, decision-making and management, not simply participation.
For example, using an existing risk-assessment form shows practical experience. Developing, reviewing or improving the organisation’s risk-management process demonstrates a higher level of responsibility.
Similarly, attending an incident investigation is different from leading the investigation, analysing causes and recommending preventive action.
Your evidence should clearly demonstrate the work you actually performed.
Overseas Safety Experience
Can Overseas Safety Experience Be Considered?
Relevant overseas WHS, OHS or HSE experience may be considered where it can be supported by suitable evidence.
Experience may include:
Because the qualification also includes Australian workplace safety requirements, applicants with overseas experience may need to demonstrate knowledge relevant to the applicable Australian WHS or OHS framework.
Self-Employed WHS Consultants
Can Self-Employed WHS Consultants Apply?
Potentially, consultants and contractors may have relevant experience if they already perform higher-level safety responsibilities for clients.
Evidence could include:
Self-employment alone does not establish competency. The assessment needs to consider the actual work performed.
Certificate IV or Diploma?
Certificate IV or Diploma?
The difference is mainly the level of responsibility.
If your role involves risk-management systems, incident investigations, consultation, reporting and safety program coordination, the Diploma may better reflect your existing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Certificate IV before the Diploma?
BSB51319 requires the five specified Certificate IV core units or recognised equivalent predecessor competencies. These need to be confirmed before the Diploma can be awarded.
What experience is relevant?
Relevant experience can include leading risk management, investigating incidents, managing safety systems, coordinating consultation, conducting audits and monitoring workplace safety performance.
Can overseas experience be used?
Relevant overseas safety experience may be considered, although knowledge of applicable Australian WHS or OHS requirements may also need to be demonstrated.
How long does the RPL process take?
There is no fixed timeframe. It depends on your available evidence, entry requirements, assessment needs and whether any competency gaps are identified.
Already Managing Workplace Safety?
Already Managing Workplace Safety?
If you already lead risk management, incident investigations, consultation or safety-management systems, your current experience may align with this qualification.
Start with a free skills assessment to check whether your experience and evidence may be suitable for RPL.