Australian Capital Territory Statutory Requirements

Who is the Regulator?

In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), mining and quarrying activities are regulated by the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD). The EPSDD is responsible for administering the Mining and Quarrying Act 1999 and the associated Mining and Quarrying Regulation 2001.

While the Australian Capital Territory legislation does not require specific competencies or qualifications for Quarry Managers, it is important that a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) have relevant experience and qualifications to ensure that the health and safety of workers and others is not put at risk.

As a guide, we recommend the following formal qualifications to ensure competency:

• A Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations for lower risk operations, and
• A Diploma in Surface Extraction Operations for higher risk operations
• Plus, a planned program of regular and ongoing continuing professional development aligned to the categories in the IQA competency framework.

Equally important, the PCBU has the responsibility to ensure that the person appointed remains competent by confirming there is evidence that the person has the current skills and knowledge to undertake their role at a site on an ongoing basis.

IQA Education and Membership

The IQA provides training to ensure a quarry manager maintains the required competencies, by: 

• Providing a competency framework which identifies five essential competency areas relevant to all levels of the quarrying industry to align your education and training to.
• Providing training to ensure a quarry manager maintains competencies. 
• Delivering industry specific education and training courses covering a range of topics relevant to the industry.
• Maintaining a rolling schedule of all courses. In addition, the IQA can deliver corporate programs of any course specific to a site or organisation.
• Providing guidance on planning your training to maintain competence.
• Providing access to accredited training required for quarry manager certification via Registered Training Organisation (RTO) partnerships.
• Offering an education calendar which is regularly updated with new and/or additional courses. 

Accredited Training

The IQA has partnerships with RTOs who offer the mandatory units of competency (accredited training) and can assist you in enrolling in the required units.  Accredited training includes:

• RII60215 Advanced Diploma of Extractive Industries Management 
•  RII50120 Diploma of Surface Extraction Operations
•  RII40120 Certificate IV in Surface Extraction OperationsRII40920 Certificate IV in Drilling Operations
•  RII30120 Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations

Through these partnerships the IQA is supporting access to full qualifications or units of competency. The IQA can provide advice on the requirements in the ACT and other states/territories regarding accredited training for quarry manager competencies.

Stay up to date through membership and regularly check the IQA website for available courses.

Please contact the IQA on 02 9484 0577 or [email protected] for more information on courses to remain competent in the Australian Capital Territory.