Assessment guidelines
Application
The application requirements for self-insurance licence, as set out in sections 71 and 72 of the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (PDF, 1.6 MB) provide for an occupational health and safety (OHS) assessment and report to be completed as part of the licence assessment process. No separate application form of application to the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations is required.
Assessment
Applications undergo a two-stage performance assessment process, outlined in this guide. The two-stages are:
Stage 1 - Compliance with legislation
Stage 2 - Audit of management systems.
For applicants whose business activities are covered by mining or quarrying safety legislation, the performance assessment of such activities will be referred to the Department of Mines and Energy. The department will then forward the assessment outcome to the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations, for inclusion in the report to Q-COMP.
Third-party auditors accredited by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations, undertake assessment audits of management systems as part of the Stage 2 process. Licensed applicants nominate an auditor from a public register to undertake the audit, subject to the department's agreement that the nominee meets the terms and conditions of accreditation relating to matters of conflict of interest.
Before engaging the auditor, a sample of workplaces to be visited for the audit of management systems is agreed between the self-insurer or applicant organisation, and the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations.
The public register of accredited auditors are available at-
http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/subjects/ohsauditing/auditors/
Licence renewal
An external assessment and report is required at the time of self-insurance licence renewal with Q-COMP. It is important to note that it is the responsibility of the self-insurer to undertake the assessment in sufficient time to meet Q-COMP licence renewal timelines. The Q-COMP Board may grant a self-insurance licence for a period of up to four years, with a self-audit undertaken during the licence period.
Requirements for four year self-insurance licence holders
For licence holders who are granted a four year licence a self-audit will be required at the two year interval and may be undertaken by internal personnel or by an external accredited auditor. Self-insurers will report the self-audit results to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) with a copy of the report to be forwarded to Q-COMP.
Self audits can be undertaken by staff members or by an accredited external auditor. If undertaken by a staff member this person should have a sound knowledge of health and safety management systems and have a current WHSO certificate.
Self audits should be completed by the self-insurer at least three months before the anniversary of the second year licence renewal date. The self-insurer will forward a summary report of audit results to the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations at least two months before the second year anniversary of licence renewal.
The audit undertaken by an accredited auditor for licence renewal should be undertaken approximately six months before the self-insurance licence renewal date.
Requirements for three year self-insurance licence holders
For licence holders who have been issued a three year licence the self-audit will also be performed at the second year interval with the audit for licence renewal to be undertaken in the third year by an accredited external auditor. A summary report of audit results will be forwarded to Q-COMP at the two year interval.
The audit for licence renewal should be undertaken by an accredited auditor approximately six months before the self-insurance licence renewal date.
Requirements for self-insurance licence holders granted a two year licence or less that two-year licence.
For a new licence holder granted an initial two-year licence there is no requirement for a self-audit. The audit for licence renewal must be undertaken at least six months before the self-insurance licence renewal date and conducted by an accredited external auditor.
For current self-insurers granted a licence for two years or less the audits for licence renewal must be performed by an accredited external auditor.
An audit conducted for self-insurance applications should be undertaken within 12 months before the lodgement of an application for a self-insurance licence. For current licence holders the external audit for licence renewal should be undertaken at least 6 months before the self-insurance licence renewal date.
Costs
All costs associated with the compiling of a self audit report or a report prepared by an external auditor are the responsibility of the self-insurer.
The fees payable for audit services are negotiable between the auditor and the applicant self-insurer. Payment for the services of the accredited auditor is the responsibility of the self-insurer. Costs associated with the audit component will be dependent upon the size, complexity and geographic locations of the applicant employer/s workplaces.
The applicant is also responsible for payment of the fee for preparation of the report prepared by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations and forwarded to Q-COMP. This fee is prescribed in Schedule 1 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008.
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