COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Develop, Implement & Maintain WHS Management Systems course. This program has been designed to equip you with the strategic insight, technical understanding and organisational leadership capability required to build, operate and continually improve Work Health and Safety Management Systems (WHSMS) across diverse workplace environments.
A WHSMS provides the structured foundation for managing WHS responsibilities. This course begins by outlining the purpose of WHSMS development, implementation and maintenance, the organisational roles and responsibilities involved, and the breadth of coordination required across different industries and operational settings. It also introduces the legislative and regulatory context that shapes WHSMS design, ensuring organisations comply with national and state WHS laws, Codes of Practice and relevant Australian Standards.
Successful WHSMS implementation requires an understanding of common organisational barriers. This section explores typical cultural, operational and resource constraints that impact system adoption, along with strategies to improve engagement, overcome resistance and embed WHS into everyday work practices. Learners consider how leadership, communication and structured planning support long-term uptake.
Accurate WHS performance data is essential for effective management. This section covers valid and reliable WHS performance measures, internal and external data sources for WHSMS evaluation, and the use of positive performance indicators (PPIs) to monitor behaviours, conditions and proactive WHS efforts.
The legislative framework underpins every WHSMS. This section examines Commonwealth and State/Territory WHS Acts and Regulations, approved Codes of Practice, Standards and WHS guidance materials. Learners review organisational duties under WHS legislation and how compliance obligations shape system development.
Recordkeeping is a critical requirement for WHS governance. This section outlines legislative WHS recordkeeping obligations, documentation and privacy requirements, and the role of recordkeeping systems that ensure transparency, data accuracy and compliance within the WHSMS.
Understanding WHSMS structure supports effective system development. This section examines essential components, WHSMS functions aligned with organisational risk, and how WHSMS processes integrate with other business systems such as quality, HR, procurement and operational planning.
Certification and auditing processes ensure WHSMS effectiveness and compliance. This section explores certification standards, internal and external auditing requirements and the continuous improvement expectations that accompany WHSMS certification.
Supporting WHSMS implementation requires structured facilitation. This section covers determining the form and purpose of the WHSMS, aligning system components with organisational risk profiles, consulting with stakeholders and securing agreement for WHSMS implementation across the workforce.
Developing WHS policy sets the foundation for system-wide commitment. This section outlines how to communicate policy requirements, conduct an initial WHS review, develop organisational WHS policy, facilitate stakeholder consultation and document and distribute the final policy.
Developing a WHS plan ensures coordinated action. This section explains WHS plan requirements, collaborative development processes and consultation expectations. Learners explore how WHS planning ensures alignment between WHSMS commitments and operational capability.
Implementing the WHS plan requires communication, coordination and support. This section outlines how to communicate implementation requirements, facilitate participation and ensure organisational systems and resources support the execution of WHS initiatives.
Measuring and evaluating WHS performance is essential for system improvement. This section explores communication requirements for evaluations, ways to facilitate stakeholder participation and the assessment of WHS policies, procedures, systems and organisational processes.
Reviewing and improving the WHSMS supports long-term WHS maturity. This section focuses on communicating review requirements, facilitating consultation and documenting and reporting system improvements that drive safer organisational outcomes.
Consultation and participation are legal expectations across every WHSMS phase. This section covers communication protocols, group interaction techniques and the role of consultation in developing WHS policy, plan and WHSMS components.
WHS leadership functions are critical to WHSMS success. This section examines organisational responsibilities, leadership behaviours that influence WHS outcomes and how WHSMS activities support strategic direction, culture and safety performance.
Analytical, planning and evaluation skills underpin effective WHSMS management. This section covers analytical methods for selecting system options, scheduling WHSMS activities and monitoring implementation progress and performance outcomes.
The course concludes by exploring digital tools and systems used to support WHSMS processes. This section highlights digital platforms for documentation, consultation, measurement and reporting, demonstrating how technology enhances WHSMS efficiency, accuracy and integration.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge, analytical capability and leadership skills required to develop, implement and maintain WHS Management Systems that strengthen organisational compliance, operational safety and continuous improvement.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
This course is designed to align with the content outlined in the Nationally Recognised Unit of Competency BSBWHS605.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to WHS Management Systems (WHSMS)
- Purpose of WHSMS development, implementation and maintenance
- Organisational roles and responsibilities
- Scope of WHSMS coordination in diverse workplaces
- WHS legislative and regulatory context
2. Barriers to WHSMS Implementation and Strategies to Overcome Them
- Common implementation barriers within organisations
- Organisational, cultural and operational constraints
- Strategies to improve WHSMS uptake
3. WHS Performance Data, Measures and Indicators
- Valid and reliable measures of WHS performance
- Data sources for WHSMS evaluation
- Positive performance indicators (PPIs)
4. WHS Legislative and Regulatory Framework
- Commonwealth WHS Acts and Regulations
- State and Territory WHS legislation
- Codes of practice, standards and guidance material
- Organisational obligations under WHS legislation
5. WHS Recordkeeping Requirements
- Legislative recordkeeping obligations
- WHS documentation, privacy and data management requirements
- Recordkeeping systems supporting WHSMS
6. Structure and Functions of a WHS Management System
- Essential WHSMS components
- WHSMS functions aligned to organisational needs
- WHSMS integration within business systems
7. WHSMS Certification, Auditing Standards and Processes
- Certification standards for WHSMS
- Internal and external auditing requirements
- Continuous improvement expectations
8. Supporting and Facilitating WHSMS Implementation
- Determining WHSMS form, content and purpose
- Aligning WHSMS functions with WHS risks
- Conducting WHSMS consultation
- Facilitating agreement to implement WHSMS
9. Developing WHS Policy and Commitment
- Communicating WHS policy requirements
- Conducting initial WHS review
- Developing organisational WHS policy
- Facilitating stakeholder consultation in policy development
- Documenting and communicating WHS policy
10. Developing a WHS Plan
- Communicating WHS plan requirements
- Collaborative development of the WHS plan
- Supporting stakeholder consultation during plan development
11. Implementing the WHS Plan
- Communicating implementation requirements
- Facilitating participation in WHS plan implementation
- Ensuring organisational systems support WHS plan execution
12. Measuring and Evaluating WHS Performance
- Communicating WHS performance evaluation requirements
- Facilitating participation in WHS evaluation
- Assessing WHS policies, procedures, systems and processes
13. Reviewing and Improving the WHSMS
- Communicating WHSMS review and improvement requirements
- Facilitating consultation during WHSMS review
- Documenting and reporting WHSMS improvements
14. Consultation and Participation Across WHSMS Implementation
- Role of consultation across WHS policy, plan and WHSMS phases
- Communication protocols and conventions
- Facilitating effective group interaction
15. Organisational Responsibilities and WHS Leadership Functions
- Responsibilities related to WHSMS development
- Leadership behaviours that support WHSMS success
- Influencing organisational direction through WHSMS activities
16. Analytical, Planning and Evaluation Skills for WHSMS
- Analytical processes for selecting WHSMS options
- Sequencing and scheduling WHSMS activities
- Monitoring implementation and performance outcomes
17. Digital Tools and Systems Supporting WHSMS Processes
- Digital platforms used for WHSMS documentation
- Tools for consultation, measurement and reporting
- Enhancing efficiency with WHSMS digital systems
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.