WCFAT Guide · Mining & Resources WA
What does WA law actually require on mine sites? Which courses, how many people, and what happens if you don't comply.
Western Australia's mining industry is one of the most regulated industries in the country — and rightly so. With operations spanning the Pilbara, Goldfields, Kimberley, and offshore, WA mine sites present first aid challenges that standard workplace training simply doesn't address. When your site is three hours from the nearest hospital, the quality of your first aid training is the difference between life and death.
Here's exactly what WA law requires, who needs which course, and how WCFAT can help you meet those requirements anywhere in the state.
Mining operations in WA are governed by a dual framework:
Under this framework, mine operators (as PCBUs) must conduct a risk assessment and provide first aid resources appropriate to the hazards, number of workers, and remoteness of the site.
The Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 came into full effect on 31 March 2022, replacing the older Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 framework for many purposes. These regulations introduced stricter requirements around emergency management, ERT qualifications, and — critically — first aid training for nominated occupational first aiders. If your site's first aid plan hasn't been reviewed since 2022, it's overdue.
HLTAID011 is the nationally recognised baseline for workplace first aid. Most WA mine sites and contractors now require all workers — not just designated first aiders — to hold current HLTAID011 as a condition of site entry. Check your site's specific requirements, as individual operators may set higher standards.
HLTAID013 is designed specifically for the conditions faced at WA mine sites. Standard HLTAID011 assumes emergency services can arrive within minutes. HLTAID013 teaches you what to do when help is hours away — extended patient monitoring, improvised treatments, fluid management, emergency evacuation planning, and managing multiple casualties in isolation.
For operations in the Pilbara, Goldfields, Kimberley, and offshore WA, HLTAID013 is the practical minimum for designated first aiders.
HLTSS00068 is the most comprehensive workplace first aid qualification available in Australia. It combines HLTAID009, 011, 014, 015, and 016 into a single program, meeting the highest requirements set by WA mine operators and their principal contractors.
The Occupational First Aid Skill Set is particularly important for sites operating under the WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022, where the PCBU must demonstrate that nominated first aid officers have adequate skills to manage serious emergencies including advanced trauma, airway management, and oxygen therapy in a remote environment.
Under the WorkSafe WA First Aid Code of Practice, mining operations fall firmly into the remote high-risk category, requiring:
Major WA mining companies including BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, and Roy Hill typically set their own site standards that exceed the Code of Practice minimum. Many require dedicated emergency response team members with HLTSS00068 on every shift, in addition to general first aiders holding HLTAID011 or HLTAID013. Always check your specific site's requirements with your principal contractor.
If your site is classified as a remote or isolated workplace — defined in WA practice as any site where emergency services cannot reach within a reasonable time, typically 15–30 minutes — your first aid arrangements must address:
Under the Emergency Management for WA Mines Code of Practice, operations above a certain scale must establish a formal Emergency Response Team. ERT members require:
WCFAT delivers all ERT-relevant qualifications on-site at your mine or operations base, using immersive scenario-based training designed to reflect real conditions. We travel to Pilbara, Goldfields, Kimberley, and regional WA sites.
For FIFO operations, first aid coverage requirements apply at the remote site — not just at the Perth or Broome base. This means:
WCFAT runs group sessions in Perth and Broome specifically for FIFO workers being deployed to remote WA sites. With a minimum of 10 participants, we can deliver training at your muster point before crew fly-out.
| Course | Certificate validity | CPR renewal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HLTAID011 | 3 years | Annual | Most sites treat CPR as mandatory annual |
| HLTAID013 | 3 years | Annual | Remote sites often require 2-yearly full renewal |
| HLTAID015 | Annual | Annual (included) | Annual renewal mandatory |
| HLTSS00068 | 3 years (011, 014) | Annual (009, 015) | Major operators often require annual full renewal |
Don't rely on your workers to manage their own renewals. The most effective approach is to schedule group on-site training annually at your site or operations base, covering CPR renewal for all workers and full qualification renewal for those due.
West Coast First Aid Training delivers all mining-relevant first aid courses on-site at your mine, camp, or operations facility. We travel to the Pilbara, Goldfields, Kimberley, and remote WA. Based in Broome, we're closer to the Kimberley than any Perth-based training provider. With a minimum of 10 participants, a single visit can qualify your entire site crew.
HLTAID011, HLTAID013, HLTSS00068, and all advanced first aid courses delivered on-site anywhere in WA. Based in Broome — closer to your Kimberley and Pilbara operations.
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