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Frequently Asked Questions

Please select a question from the list below to view 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 Work Safety and Health Induction course fully meet the Resources 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 Work Health and Safety Induction is an 8 hour program costing approximately $140. This fee can vary depending on what course materials are provided to you on the day.  The half day refresher course costs approximately $100.

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Q. How long is a MARCSTA valid for?

Work Health and 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 Refresher program or the alternative Fast Track 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.

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Q. Do I still have to do a safety induction on site?

The Work Health and 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 Work Health and Safety Induction program means that site inductions can focus upon specific site needs, rather than simply repeating general safety principles.

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Q. 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.

The requirement to attend structured training with face-to-face delivery is documented in the National Code of Practice for Construction Work.

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Q. 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.

MARCSTA Work Health and Safety inductions are readily available on arrival in Western Australia.

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Q. Does the MARCSTA Work Health and 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 Work Health and 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.

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Q. I need a receipt for taxation purposes.

Requests for receipts for taxation purposes should be directed to the training provider who conducted the training.

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Q. 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.

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Q. I want a job in the mining industry.

MARCSTA is a training association not an employment agency and is unable to assist candidates to gain employment.   The following information may assist you (link to After MARCSTA).

 

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Q. How do you train me to deliver your course?

MARCSTA does not train people to deliver safety inductions. We licence applicants 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.

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Q. MARCSTA - Why Have It?

The MARCSTA Work Health and Safety Induction program is designed to provide a comprehensive health and safety induction for all industry sectors and, in particular, the mining and resources sector.

The program meets the requirements for nationally accredited training for most major industry sectors.

It is regularly reviewed to reflect changing practices and standards.

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.

All training providers are independently assessed by an accreditation panel which includes industry, regulatory and occupational health and safety experts. MARCSTA currently has approximately 32 training providers throughout the state, many of which are Registered Training Organisations.

MARCSTA operates on a non-profit basis to ensure quality and low-cost training. Its main objective is occupational health and safety training.

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Q. Where can I get my Mine Workers Health Surveillance number?

This is a regulatory requirement of the Department of Mines and Petroleum. 

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.

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Q. 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.

http://www.qrc.org.au/

http://www.nswmin.com.au/

Q. What is RPL? (Recognition of Prior Learning)

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.

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