How often should business hold WHS training?

To protect the health and safety of your workers, it is important employees are trained on how to do their work safely.

WHS training requirements

There is no specific period of time mentioned in legislation for the frequency of workplace health and safety training. The focus of the general training requirements in the WHS Regulations is on the suitability and adequacy of the information, training and instruction given to workers, having regard to the nature of the work and its associated risks, and the control measures in place to protect workers' health and safety.

Higher-risk work environments may require more frequent, task-specific and hands-on training, while lower-risk environments may rely more on periodic refreshers and safety communications.

Regardless of frequency, WHS training must enable workers to develop a clear understanding of the hazards they may be exposed to, and the actions required to eliminate or minimise risks to health and safety.

Accessibility and method of training 

In addition, the WHS Regulations require an employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the information, training and instruction is provided in a way that is readily understandable by any person to whom it is provided. This may be an issue if employers offer an online learning program, especially with workers for whom English is not their first language or those whose literacy or computer skills are limited. Employers may need to supplement online training with face-to-face instruction, practical demonstrations, mentoring or supervised practice to ensure workers fully understand and can apply safe work practices.

Induction and refresher training

It is common practice to provide WHS induction training to all new employees and refresher training every 12 months or as necessary for existing employees. The frequency of refresher training should be varied as needed – for example, if supervisors notice that workers are adopting unsafe working procedures to save time or because they require less effort, additional training or on-the-job instruction can be undertaken on an ad hoc basis to reinforce safe work practices.

Ideally, refresher training should not merely repeat the training already delivered but should aim to engage workers’ interest by broadening and deepening their awareness of WHS issues and associated risk management strategies.