All exams are conducted in person at WorkSafe-approved venues across Western Australia.

Exams are currently delivered at:

• Cannington (Perth metropolitan area)
• Kalgoorlie

Further details about exam dates and venues are available on Mines statutory positions: schedule of examinations

Candidates complete their exam through the Mines Statutory Positions Portal (MSPP) under the supervision of an authorised examination staff.

You must arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled exam start time to complete registration.

Registration closes 15 minutes before the scheduled exam start time.

Please allow sufficient time for travel, parking and registration requirements.

You must provide a valid photo identification before being permitted to sit an exam.

Acceptable forms of identification include:

• Driver’s licence
• Passport
• Keypass Identity Card

Candidates who cannot provide acceptable identification may not be permitted to sit the exam.

Candidates who arrive after registration has closed may not be permitted to sit the exam.

If a late arrival is permitted to sit the exam, no additional time will be granted. The candidate will be required to complete the exam within the remaining allocated time.

You must not access or use:

• mobile phones
• smart watches
• tablets
• electronic devices
• internet resources
• artificial intelligence (AI) tools
• any unauthorised materials

All personal electronic devices must remain inaccessible during the exam.

On exam day, log into the MSPP and access your exam through your learning pathway. An exam supervisor will be available to assist and will provide the access code required to unlock the exam.

Detailed instructions for accessing and starting your exam are available in the MSPP candidate guide.

No. Communication with other candidates during the exam is strictly prohibited. Any unauthorised communication is considered misconduct.

No. Candidates must not photograph, record, copy or otherwise reproduce exam content. Unauthorised recording of exam material is considered misconduct.

Yes. Candidates may leave the exam room briefly, for example to use restroom facilities.

However, no additional time will be granted, and candidates must not access unauthorised materials or electronic devices while away from the exam room.

Yes. You may submit your exam at any time and leave the venue before the scheduled finish time. Re-entry is not permitted once the candidate has left the room.

Candidates should leave quietly and not disturb others who are still undergoing their exam.

For a legislative exam, results are available immediately after completion. 

For a mining practice exam, candidates will be notified of the result via email within 28 days of the exam date.

Certificates will only be available for download after all eligibility requirements have been reviewed and approved. They can be accessed on the MSPP. Read the Downloading a statutory certificate or record of examination: MSPP guide for step-by-step instructions.

For information about certificates and eligibility requirements, refer to the Statutory certificates.

All exams are conducted in person at WorkSafe approved venues. If you are unsure which exam or statutory position applies to you, visit Statutory positions. 

To book an exam, you must first create an account in the Mines Statutory Positions Portal (MSPP). Refer to the Registering an account: MSPP guide for instructions.

If you require further assistance, contact the MSP team at msp@lgirs.wa.gov.au.  

Exams are held regularly throughout the year. You can find the upcoming exam schedule on Mines statutory positions: Schedule of examinations as new sessions become available.

Exams are currently conducted in:

• Cannington
• Kalgoorlie

You can cancel or reschedule an exam booking through the Mines Statutory Positions Portal (MSPP).

If you no longer require your scheduled exam, you must cancel your booking as soon as possible. This allows the exam place to be allocated to another candidate.

Refer to the Cancelling and rescheduling an exam: MSPP guide for instructions. 

Yes. You may only book one exam session per exam type.

Any extra bookings will be cancelled to ensure fair access to exam sessions for all candidates.

No. Once you have passed an exam, you cannot book the same exam again.

If you are unable to attend a scheduled exam session, you must cancel your booking as soon as possible. This allows the exam place to be allocated to another candidate.

Failure to attend an exam session without cancelling your booking (a 'no-show') may result in future exam bookings being cancelled.

Yes. If you need extra support to participate in a statutory exam due to your personal circumstances, you may be able to apply for an assessment arrangement. Please arrange for the Request for assessment arrangement (diagnosed conditions) form to be completed and email to msp@lgirs.wa.gov.au. Confidentiality is maintained.

If you request an assessment arrangement, do not book an exam session until the requested assessment arrangements have been approved.

The mining practice exams assess a candidate’s ability to apply work health and safety knowledge in practical mining scenarios relevant to the statutory position being sought.

The mining practice exam is required for the following statutory positions:

• Underground supervisor
• Restricted quarry manager (explosives)
• Restricted quarry manager (non-explosives)

Exams for authorised mine surveyor (Grade 1 and 2) are held outside the MSP portal. 

The mining practice exam is a three-hour closed book exam consisting of multiple-choice questions that assess a candidate’s ability to apply work health and safety legislation in mining workplaces.

You will receive your exam results via email within 28 business days after your exam.

To pass the mining practice exam, you must achieve a minimum of 80 per cent.

Candidates may sit the exam up two times per calendar year.

If you need assistance resetting your password, refer to the Resetting your password: MSPP guide

If you continue to experience issues, contact the MSP team at msp@lgirs.wa.gov.au for assistance.

If you need assistance updating your personal details in the MSP Portal or on a statutory certificate, contact the MSP team at msp@lgirs.wa.gov.au.

Watch Managing your MSP Portal account: Video and access a range of how-to-guides on  MSP guidance and resources.

All records are stored securely and only accessible to authorised personnel.

Refer to Information collection notice to find out more about how your information is collected and stored. 

To protect the integrity of examinations and candidate records, your MSP portal account may be temporarily deactivated if suspicious activity is detected.

Where appropriate, you may be contacted to verify your identity or account information before access is restored.

If you believe your account has been compromised, contact the MSP team at msp@lgirs.wa.gov.au.

Statutory certificates are official documents that validate an individual has met the requirements for a statutory position. These certificates are issued after successfully meeting all the requirements, including passing the relevant examinations.

To apply for a statutory certificate, you must demonstrate your competency through training, relevant experience, and passing the required examinations.

Learn more about Statutory certificates and eligibility requirements.

For both non-certified and certified statutory positions, the appointee is required to hold an applicable statutory certificate, with requirements for the latter listed in Schedule 27 of the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022. This usually includes a qualification and the completion of the applicable examinations, work health and safety (WHS) risk management units of competency and training, minimum age and experience requirements.

Due to the role-specific component of the legislation examination, each statutory position assessment is designed to assess the skills and knowledge required for individual positions or certifications, therefore a specific legislation examination certification is not transferable as it does not fulfil the eligibility requirements for other statutory positions.

You can manage or update your statutory certificate through the portal, including applying for renewals or making changes to your certificate details.

Once logged into the portal, click on your chosen learning path under ‘My completed applications’ on the homepage. 

Within the learning path, click on ‘Download’ document on the right-hand side near the icon to download your statutory certificate or record of examination.

Note: For certified positions, the certificate will only be available for download after all eligibility criteria has been reviewed and approved.

If working full-time in a role, there is no minimum number of hours. If working part-time in a role 12 hours = 1 shift.

Candidates should complete a statutory declaration and include supporting documentations such as letters from their former employer. You must include the reason you were unable to have the experience template signed by your employer.

There are minimum age requirements for certain statutory certificates. 

• First class mine manager - 25 years of age
• Underground supervisor - 23 years of age
• Quarry manager - 24 years of age
• Restricted quarry manager - 21 years of age

Candidate’s age will be checked at the examination during the ID check in process. Do not upload any ID documentation to the application through the portal.

Notification to the WorkSafe Commissioner is only required for appointments to two of the five key statutory positions:

• Site senior executive
• Exploration

Notifications must be submitted via  Safety Regulation System (SRS).

There is no requirement to notify WorkSafe of appointments to the remaining Schedule 26 key statutory positions:

• Underground manager (non-coal)
• Underground manager (coal)
• Quarry manager

Please note: While notification is not required, mine operators must record all statutory appointments and may choose to use the SRS for this purpose.

An alternate may be appointed when a person holding a key statutory position is unavailable or on leave.

The alternate must meet requirements (mentioned below) of the position and be appointed by the mine operator.

An alternate must be capable of carrying out the functions of the key statutory position and be available to perform those functions when required.

An alternate must also meet the relevant requirements for the key statutory position they are appointed to.

Yes. Alternates must meet the same training and exams requirements as the key statutory position they are appointed to.

There is no limit to the number of alternates who may be appointed to a key statutory position.

Yes. The appointment of an alternate must be notified for:

• Site senior executive
• Exploration manager

Notifications must be submitted through the Safety Regulation System (SRS).

‘In writing’ may include:

• an email
• a signed document, such as a job description
• an acknowledgement letter.

Verbal acceptance alone is not sufficient.

No. Only one person may be appointed to each key statutory position at a mine at any given time.

However, there is no limit to the number of alternates who may be appointed.

Yes. However, approval from the WorkSafe Commissioner is required before a person appointed to a key statutory position can be appointed to a statutory position at another mine.

Yes. A site senior executive must remain appointed while a mine is on ‘care and maintenance’.

Where work is being carried out at the mine, the site senior executive or an alternate must be at or near the mine while workers are present.

Depending on the risks associated with the work being undertaken, the mine operator and mine safety management system may also determine that statutory supervisors are required and appoint them.

A statutory supervisor is a person appointed under the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 [WHS Mines Regulations] schedule 26, clause 3 with key functions described in clause 3(3).

Statutory supervisors play an important role in identifying hazards, managing risks and ensuring workers comply with site procedures and legislative requirements.

A statutory supervisor is responsible for:

• assigning tasks to workers
• supervising and directing workers
• inspecting the workplace for hazards and risks, where required
• taking steps to ensure workers are not exposed to hazards
• providing written reports at shift handover

Statutory supervisors must ensure mining activities are carried out safely and in accordance with the work health and safety legislation.

Key statutory positions are high-level roles with overarching responsibility for the entire mine or specific large-scale operations. Read more about key statutory positions.

Statutory supervisors oversee workers in specific smaller high-risk areas like a workshop, pit or processing plant.

Investigations into mining incidents frequently identify inadequate supervision or a lack of supervisor competence as contributing factors.

The additional requirements help ensure there is a higher safety standard in hazardous operations. 

To become a statutory supervisor, a person must:

• have at least two years of relevant experience
• complete the approved risk management units (BSBWHS411 and BSBWHS414)
• pass the applicable legislation exam administered by WorkSafe.

There are no fixed re-certification periods for statutory supervisors.

However, supervisors should stay up to date on WHS matters and remain competent through ongoing training and development as part of the mine’s safety management system (MSMS).

Schedule 26 appointments refer to specific statutory roles prescribed under the WHS Mines Regulations.

Appointments are made based on qualifications, competency and experience requirements to support safe mining operations.

The mine operator or the site senior executive (SSE) on behalf of the mine operator is responsible for appointing Statutory supervisors.

No. There is no requirement to notify WorkSafe of appointments to Schedule 26 statutory positions, including statutory supervisory appointments.

Mine operators must keep records of these appointments and inspectors may verify them during audits or inspections to ensure compliance with eligibility requirements.

The appointed place is the area where a Statutory supervisor is responsible for supervising workers.

This may include the entire mine site or a specific work area, depending on how responsibilities are allocated by the mine operator.

For example, a production supervisor may be appointed for the mining areas to supervise their workers but may not be appointed to all areas where their workers spend time, such as a warehouse, camp, or emergency training ground.

Statutory supervisors are required for laboratories, processing plants, quarries and workshops as prescribed by Schedule 26 of the WHS Mines Regulations.

Mine operators must also identify any additional areas requiring statutory supervision based on risk.

This determination should be based on a risk assessment considering the nature of the work, hazard levels, and the need for supervision to ensure controls are implemented and maintained.

A statutory supervisor is required if the exploration site includes a laboratory or workshop.

Additional statutory supervisors may also be required where the mine operator or exploration manager determines this is necessary based on a health and safety risk assessment.

The mine operator is responsible for identifying which areas require statutory supervisors. They also determine how many statutory supervisors are required to supervise work. 

This decision must be based on risk assessment and documented within the mine safety management system (MSMS).

The mine operator must also ensure that responsibilities for workgroups and workplace areas are clearly defined and understood, particularly in relation to inspecting workplaces under r. 634A of the WHS Mines Regulations.

This is generally the responsibility of the statutory supervisor. If there are multiple Statutory supervisors in the same area, the mine operator must clearly specify the inspection responsibilities for each Statutory supervisor in the MSMS.

For further information refer to r. 634A of the WHS Mines Regulations.

Yes. More than one statutory supervisor may be appointed to the same appointed place to meet operational needs, such as different shifts or separate workgroups.

Yes. A workgroup may have more than one statutory supervisor depending on operational requirements.

At smaller mines where a levy is not payable, statutory supervisor responsibilities may be assigned to the site senior executives (SSE).

A mine on ‘care and maintenance’ must still have a site senior executive appointed.

Whether a statutory supervisor is required will depend on the level of risk associated with activities being undertaken and the presence of workers on site.

When being replaced by another supervisor, a statutory supervisor is required (under r. 630 of the WHS Mines Regulations) to provide a written report to the incoming supervisor. 

This ensures a clear transfer of responsibility and information regarding the status of the workplace, ongoing tasks, and any identified hazards or incidents.