Underground supervisor's certificate

A person is eligible for an underground supervisor (UGS) certificate if they can demonstrate the criteria below:

• reaches 23 years of age
• while working at an underground mine, has experience:
  • at least 6 months’ experience working in mine ventilation, mine planning or emergency management with a minimum of 84 shifts worked.
  • at least 3 months’ experience in installing ground support for a minimum of 42 shifts worked
  • at least 3 months’ experience in the use of explosives at stopes and development faces with a minimum of 42 shifts worked
    • a minimum of 20 shifts must be worked in the use of explosives at stopes
    • a minimum of 20 shifts in the use of explosives in development faces
• at least 3 months’ experience in mine transport and services with a minimum of 42 shifts worked. 

Evidence must be provided in the relevant templates with the applicant’s competency confirmed by a nominated supervisor.

Education and qualifications

Applicants must hold either of the following relevant qualifications, with at least 2 years' experience working at an underground mine site:  

• a degree in mining engineering or science from an Australian university
• a diploma in mining from an Australian university or TAFE
• an equivalent qualification approved by the Mining Competence Advisory Committee (MCAC).

You need to provide a copy of your relevant qualification(s) and academic transcript(s). Evidence must be provided in the Qualification self-assessment: Template. 

For applicants who do not hold relevant qualifications, they must have at least 5 years’ experience working in an underground mine. 

Experience

For applicants who hold relevant qualifications, they must have at least 2 years’ experience working at an underground mine.

For applicants who do not hold relevant qualifications, they must have at least 5 years’ experience working at an underground mine. 

Evidence must be provided in the Statement of experience template with the applicant’s competency confirmed by a nominated supervisor.

Training

WHS risk management units

Applicants must complete the national units of competency in WHS risk management approved for this certificate. 

• RIIRIS402E or BSBWHS414 Risk management core unit of competency
• BSBWHS411 Unit of competency to contextualise work health and safety risk for a statutory position holder. 

The committee can consider current and superseded equivalent versions of the above units if they are completed on or after 1 January 2018.

First aid

Applicant must receive first aid training by completing HLTAID011 Provide first aid as the minimum acceptable unit of competency. The certificate must be issued within 3 years prior to the MCAC review.

Mining exams

Applicants must pass the applicable mining legislation exam for an underground supervisor’s certificate. 

Applicants who do not hold relevant qualifications must also pass a mining practice examination for an underground supervisor’s certificate.

No fee payable to sit the mining legislation exam. Exams must be booked via the Mines statutory positions portal (MSPP).

Good character

Applicants must be of character and must submit a National Police Clearance issued within 12 months of a MCAC review.

Lodging your application

Application must be lodged via the Mines Statutory Positions Portal (MSPP). 

For information on how to submit supporting documentation for statutory certificates see MSP guidance and resources. 

Supporting documentation and resources

• Statement of experience: UGS (with qualifications) – two years employment on an underground mine site: Template
• Statement of experience: UGS (without qualifications) – five years employment on an underground mine site: Template
• Statement of experience: UGS – 84 shifts working in mine ventilation, mine planning or mine emergency management at an underground non-coal mine: Template
• Statement of experience: UGS – 42 shifts installing ground support at an underground non-coal mine site: Template
• Statement of experiences: UGS – 42 shifts in using explosives at stopes and development faces at an underground non-coal mine site: Template
• Statement of experience: UGS – 42 shifts in mine transport and services at an underground non-coal mine site: Template
• Underground supervisor – qualification self-assessment: Template

These documents and templates are available from the Underground supervisor's certificate: Templates.

Statutory certificates frequently asked question