High risk work licence assessor accreditation

This page explains what a high risk work licence accredited assessor is and includes the policies, forms and guides you need to get your accreditation.

We are launching a new digital system for high risk work licences. This will impact how accredited assessors carry out assessments.

As this change happens, we will continue to accept applications for new and mutual recognition accreditation. These won't be completed until late May 2025. Add class applications are unaffected by this change.

On this page

Key information

  • A high risk work licence accredited assessor conducts high risk work licence assessments in NSW.
  • Accredited assessors check the competency of a person wishing to obtain a high risk work licence.
  • High risk work licence assessments are conducted on behalf of a registered training organisation (RTO) approved by SafeWork NSW.
  • Accredited assessors must comply with SafeWork NSW’s conditions of accreditation (PDF, 163.28 KB).

When a high risk work licence assessor accreditation is needed

A high risk work licence assessment can only be conducted in NSW by a SafeWork NSW accredited assessor who is accredited in the high risk work class relevant to the applicant.

Eligibility

Who can apply

To apply for an assessor accreditation, you must:

  • be at least 18
  • be an individual, not a business or company
  • hold a current high risk work licence in the relevant class or classes you intend to assess
  • hold a current training and assessment qualification from a registered training organisation (RTO)
  • meet further requirements, depending which type of accreditation you are applying for. The further requirements may include:
    • a National Police Check from the NSW Police Force. SafeWork NSW will contact you with a link if your application proceeds, and you will have 7 days to complete the check
    • evidence of relevant experience in training and/or assessment
    • evidence of operational experience in the relevant class of high risk work
    • a 100 per cent result in a high risk work class-specific written exam which SafeWork NSW will provide
    • successful completion of an online module on ethics and professional behaviour, which SafeWork NSW will provide.

Learn more about the specific further requirements for your application in the relevant policy document below.

How to apply

What you need

Before you start your application for a new licence or class, make sure you have the supporting documents and evidence you need for your application, as outlined in the relevant how-to-apply manual.

Apply for a new accreditation

Using the new accreditation manual (PDF, 190.98 KB) and accreditation policy (PDF, 631.04 KB) to help you, complete the assessor accreditation application form (PDF, 3329.17 KB) and email it to the SafeWork NSW Training Accreditation and Compliance Services team.

Apply for an additional class

If you already have an assessor accreditation, you can apply to add a class.

Using the add a class manual (PDF, 174.72 KB) and add a class policy (PDF, 172.67 KB) to help you, complete the additional class of accreditation application form (PDF, 639.77 KB) and email it to the SafeWork NSW Training Accreditation and Compliance Services team.

Renew an accreditation

You need to renew your high risk work licence assessor accreditation before it expires. If you don't, you won’t be allowed to carry out assessor work.

Complete the renewal application form () PDF, 663.31 KB and email it to the SafeWork NSW Training Accreditation and Compliance Services team.

Change of details

It is your responsibility to tell us within 14 days if your name, address or other details change. Email the SafeWork NSW Training Accreditation and Compliance Services team with your changes.

Mutual recognition

If you have a HRWL assessor accreditation from another state or territory, you cannot use it to conduct assessments in NSW.

You can apply for NSW accreditation via mutual recognition in the classes you currently hold.

Using the mutual recognition information sheet (PDF, 1344.38 KB) to help you, complete the accreditation via mutual recognition application form (PDF, 751.68 KB) and email it to the SafeWork NSW Training Accreditation and Compliance Services team.

Working as an accredited assessor

You must have a current NSW assessor accreditation to undertake assessor work and:

Email your completed forms to the SafeWork NSW Training Accreditation and Compliance Services team.

Contact us

Need help applying?

If you need help with your application or have a question about high risk work licence assessor accreditation, email the SafeWork NSW Training Accreditation and Compliance Services team or phone SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50.

Unsuccessful applications

You can apply for a review. A review will be undertaken by a different SafeWork NSW officer, who was not involved in the original decision on your application.

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