Print this pageFrequently Asked Questions
Please select a question from the list below to jump to the answer.
What does a MARCSTA cost and how long does it take?
For how long is a MARCSTA valid?
Do I still have to attend a safety induction on site?
Can I do a MARCSTA course by correspondence or the internet?
How do I sit the MARCSTA if I am in another state?
Does the MARCSTA General Safety Induction course fully meet the Resouces and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Work Safely and Follow OHS Policies and Procedures RIIOHS201A competency unit outcomes?
I need a receipt for taxation purposes.
I want to do a dump truck course.
I want a job in the mining industry.
How do you train me to deliver your course?
MARCSTA - Why Have It?
Where can I get my Mines Health Surveillance number?
I do not wish to work on the west coast but would like similar certification for the east coast of Australia.
What is RPL?
Q. What does a MARCSTA cost and how long does it take?
The MARCSTA General Safety Induction is an 8 hour program costing approximately $130. This fee can vary depending on what course materials are provided to you on the day. The half day refresher course costs approximately $95.
Back to TopQ. How long is a MARCSTA valid for?
General Safety Induction training must be refreshed every two years to ensure awareness of current legislative and regulatory requirements and industry practices. This refresher process would normally be undertaken through participation in the MARCSTA Safety Refresher program or the alternative FastTrack option.
To ensure continuous currency, the card should be revalidated before the expiry date.
If the currency of the card has expired, a 'grace' period of 90 days is allowed for revalidation. Beyond this, a full eight hour induction must be completed to reinstate the currency of the card.
Back to TopQ. Do I still have to do a safety induction on site?
The General Safety Induction program does not replace employer-based site-specific safety induction programs. Candidates are required to undergo site induction relative to the operational characteristics of their employer before commencing work on any mining operations.
Completion of the MARCSTA General Safety Induction program means that site inductions can focus upon specific site needs, rather than simply repeating general safety principles.
Back to TopQ. Can I do a MARCSTA course by correspondence or via the internet?
The MARCSTA induction is strictly "in attendance" and no correspondence courses are available. Once you locate a training provider in your area they will let you know the availability of courses and costs involved.
Back to TopQ. How do I sit the MARCSTA induction if I am in another State?
If a training provider for your area is not listed under "Find a training provider" then, in your application for employment, state that MARCSTA is not accessible in your area but that you are willing to relocate to Western Australia earlier to complete the training that is required before commencement of work, e.g. MARCSTA, Mine Workers Health Surveillance etc.
Back to TopQ. Does the MARCSTA General Safety Induction course fully meet the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Work Safely and Follow OHS Policies and Procedures RIIOHS201A competency unit outcomes?
Our General Safety Induction is based on the competency requirements of Work Safely and Follow OHS Policies and Procedures; all our programs, in fact, reflect national units.
MARCSTA issues Certificates of Completion to successful candidates. To obtain a Statement of Attainment candidates must then demonstrate competency in the workplace. To assist we provide a work book for this purpose. On provision of evidence and assessment of such evidence we will issue a Statement of Attainment for Work Safely and Follow OHS Policies and Procedures.
Back to TopQ. I need a receipt for taxation purposes.
Requests for receipts for taxation purposes should be directed to the training provider who conducted the training.
Back to TopQ. I want to do a dump truck course.
Most of this type of training is carried out on site, however the Training Section of Saturday's "West Australian" newspaper is a training course reference point.
Back to TopQ. I want a job in the mining industry.
MARCSTA is not an employment agency and is not able to assist candidates to gain employment.
There are certain sites, however, which you may wish to explore.
Go West Now www.gowestnow.wa.gov.au
Mining Careers www.miningcareers.com
Back to TopQ. How do you train me to deliver your course?
MARCSTA does not train people to deliver safety inductions. We licence candidates who meet our training provider criteria to deliver our programs. All our training providers must have at least 5 years practical experience in mine safety training. For further details click on the "How to Become a Training Provider" section.
Back to TopQ. MARCSTA - Why Have It?
The MARCSTA General Safety Induction program was developed to provide a standardised accredited induction for contractors (and others) moving between various sites to replace generally inadequate inductions provided on site.
It is reviewed annually to reflect changing practices and standards. The review process involves industry, training providers, the regulatory authority - the Department of Mines and Petroleum - and, where necessary, WorkSafe WA. It is the only program of its type that undergoes this process and is the recognised standard setter in this regard.
The program ensures that basic duty of care is met with a stated clear requirement that site specific induction must be added to cover specific hazards on site.
MARCSTA training providers are licensed annually to deliver the program. They must hold a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment and have a minimum of five years safety training experience in the mining industry.
No other training organisation has this requirement.
All training providers are independently assessed by an accreditation panel which includes industry, Department of Mines and Petroleum and adult education experts. MARCSTA currently has approximately 35 training providers throughout the state, many of which are Registered Training Organisations.
MARCSTA is the most significant non-government training organisation in Western Australia. It currently processes more than 15,000 employees annually and maintains a centralised database of more than 100,000. Its certificate process requires renewal of competency every two years to ensure currency and retention of essential safety knowledge.
MARCSTA is an industry run organisation operating on a non-profit basis to ensure quality and low-cost training. Its main objective is safety and health training.
Back to TopQ. Where can I get my Mine Workers Health Surveillance number?
This is an initiative of the Department of Mines and Petroleum. Mining industry employers are required under legislation to establish and maintain a health surveillance program for employees.
It comprises an audiological testing, a lung function test as well as a complete general health test. The majority of employers may also require a drug screen test.
Medical testing for the Mine Workers Heath Surveillance are made by appointment through Occupational Health Centres, usually at your prospective employer's request.
Results from health assessments must be forwarded to the Department of Mines and Petroleum and this information is stored in the MINEHEALTH database. Whilst the information remains confidential, Health Surveillance numbers and expiry dates are available from the online database.
Click here to access the Mine Workers Health Surveillance database.
Back to TopQ. I do not wish to work on the west coast but would like similar certification for the east coast of Australia.
Both NSW and Qld have somewhat similar induction training for both coal and metalliferous sectors, You should enquire from the Minerals Council in these States for details.
Q. What is RPL?
RPL is an alternative pathway towards a qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Many people would like to gain a qualification but have no recognised certification to testify to the skills and knowledge they have achieved through informal and non-formal learning in the workplace, through involvement with community organisations, voluntary work or the pursuit of personal interests.
RPL is a proces of assessing these skills, knowledge and competencies that relate to a qualification.
