COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Plan & Conduct Internal WHS Audits course. This program has been designed to build the knowledge, capability, and confidence required to evaluate workplace health and safety systems across all industries and organisational settings.
Internal WHS audits play a critical role in strengthening workplace safety, meeting compliance obligations, and supporting continuous improvement. This course begins by introducing the purpose and importance of WHS audits, exploring the responsibilities shared across industries, and outlining how audits contribute to organisational risk management, governance, and overall performance. It also details the expectations placed on internal WHS auditors, including objectivity, diligence, and a commitment to improving workplace safety outcomes.
A strong understanding of the legislative environment underpins all effective WHS auditing. This section provides an overview of key duties under WHS Acts and Regulations, supported by relevant Codes of Practice and industry-neutral guidance materials. Learners explore obligations relating to consultation, worker participation, and due diligence, while also examining the legal, operational, and reputational consequences of non-compliance for businesses and individuals.
Audits are grounded in the structure of an organisation’s WHS management system. This section outlines the core components of WHSMS frameworks, including policy structures, procedures, risk management approaches, and governance requirements. It highlights how WHS management systems provide the benchmarks, processes, and documentation that auditors evaluate when testing assurance and compliance across different work environments.
Clear definition of audit scope and objectives is essential to achieving meaningful outcomes. This section explains how to determine the purpose of an audit, establish boundaries, select relevant WHS criteria, and incorporate stakeholder input into scope development. Learners explore how well-defined parameters ensure that audit activities remain targeted, consistent, and aligned with organisational priorities.
Developing a comprehensive audit plan enables auditors to coordinate activities effectively and manage audit resources. This section discusses scheduling, resource allocation, communication requirements, planning tools, and documentation. It highlights how structured planning supports timely execution, transparency, and a systematic approach to audit delivery across varied operational contexts.
The course provides an in-depth exploration of WHS audit methodologies, including system-based, risk-based, and compliance-based approaches. This section examines sampling techniques, evidence-gathering strategies, and the importance of maintaining impartiality while balancing practical constraints. Learners develop the skills to select and apply the most appropriate method for diverse workplaces and audit objectives.
Reviewing workplace policies, procedures, and WHS records is a key component of audit evidence collection. This section describes how to evaluate documentation such as safe work practices, training records, incident reports, maintenance logs, and corrective action registers. It emphasises the role of documentary evidence in assessing system strength, process effectiveness, and regulatory alignment.
Workplace inspections provide essential insights into real-world WHS practices. This section outlines how to plan inspection activities, identify hazards across different settings, assess controls, and utilise checklists, tools, and digital systems to record findings. It reinforces the need for practical observation to validate WHS documentation and assess the effectiveness of on-site safety practices.
Worker consultation strengthens audit accuracy and engagement. This section explores interviewing techniques, the value of worker insights, engagement with supervisors and managers, and methods for recording information impartially. It highlights how consultation provides a deeper understanding of workplace behaviours, safety culture, and the practical realities of WHS implementation.
Assessing hazards and controls is central to determining workplace safety performance. This section explains how to identify hazard categories, evaluate controls against the hierarchy of control, review operational procedures, and assess monitoring systems. It demonstrates how auditors test whether controls are implemented, maintained, and effective in reducing WHS risks.
Internal audits also examine emergency management arrangements. This section covers planning, preparedness, training, drills, communication systems, and the review of post-incident actions. Learners explore how emergency systems are evaluated to determine whether they enable organisations to respond effectively to foreseeable emergency scenarios.
Incident and injury management processes provide important indicators of system performance. This section discusses incident reporting, investigation procedures, corrective and preventive actions, and injury management coordination. It also explores how trends and patterns can reveal systemic weaknesses or opportunities for targeted improvement.
Assessing WHS training and competency systems ensures that workers have the skills and knowledge to perform tasks safely. This section outlines training needs analysis, induction programs, refresher training, competency verification, and the evaluation of contractor and visitor training requirements. It reinforces the central role of skills development in managing WHS risk.
Contractor and supplier compliance forms a significant part of WHS assurance programs. This section examines contractor selection processes, performance monitoring, communication of WHS responsibilities, and supplier assurance requirements. It highlights how contractor management forms an integral part of an organisation’s overall safety obligations.
Once evidence is collected, it must be analysed systematically. This section explains methods for validating evidence, identifying gaps, detecting trends, and evaluating risks. Learners explore how to determine conformance, non-conformance, and opportunities for improvement using objective, criteria-based assessment.
The course then guides learners through the process of preparing clear and defensible audit findings. This section outlines how to structure findings, link recommendations to root causes, prioritise actions based on risk, and draft actionable proposals that support measurable safety improvement across organisational systems.
Effective audit reporting ensures that findings are communicated clearly and responsibly. This section covers report structure, templates, communication requirements, and the management of confidential or sensitive information. It emphasises how well-presented reports support decision-making and demonstrate organisational due diligence.
Finally, the course concludes with a focus on monitoring, follow-up, and continuous improvement. This section outlines how to track corrective actions, verify implementation, review audit program performance, and strengthen auditor skills and tools. It shows how ongoing review ensures WHS audit programs remain effective, relevant, and aligned with evolving organisational and legislative requirements.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge, techniques, and professional frameworks required to plan, conduct, and report on internal WHS audits that support compliance, strengthen safety performance, and drive continuous improvement across all industries and workplace environments.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to WHS Internal Audits
- Purpose and Importance of Internal WHS Audits
- WHS Responsibilities Across Industries
- Alignment With Organisational Goals and Risk Management
- Role and Expectations of Internal WHS Auditors
2. Understanding WHS Legislation and Standards
- Core Duties Under WHS Acts and Regulations
- Codes of Practice and Industry-Neutral Guidance
- Consultation and Worker Participation Requirements
- Legal and Organisational Consequences of Non-Compliance
3. WHS Management Systems Overview
- Structure and Components of a WHSMS
- Policy and Procedure Frameworks
- Risk Management as a Foundation for Audits
- Continuous Improvement and Governance Links
4. Establishing WHS Audit Objectives and Scope
- Purpose and Expected Outcomes of the Audit
- Determining Boundaries and Coverage
- Identifying Relevant WHS Criteria and Benchmarks
- Stakeholder Input Into Scope Definition
5. Developing the WHS Audit Plan
- Audit Schedule and Timeframes
- Required Resources and Personnel
- Communication and Notifications
- Planning Tools and Documentation
6. WHS Audit Methodologies and Approaches
- System-Based Audit Approaches
- Risk-Based and Compliance-Based Methods
- Sampling and Evidence-Collection Techniques
- Balancing Objectivity With Practical Constraints
7. Reviewing WHS Documentation and Records
- Policies, Procedures and Safe Work Practices
- Training Records and Competency Evidence
- Incident Reports and Corrective Action Logs
- Inspection and Maintenance Documentation
8. Conducting Workplace Inspections
- Planning the Inspection Activity
- Identifying Hazards Across Different Work Settings
- Assessing Control Measures in Practice
- Using Checklists, Tools and Digital Systems
9. Interviewing and Consulting Workers
- Purpose and Value of Worker Consultation
- Effective Questioning Techniques
- Engaging Supervisors and Managers
- Recording Information Objectively
10. Assessing WHS Hazards and Control Measures
- Identifying General Workplace Hazard Categories
- Evaluating Controls Against the Hierarchy of Control
- Reviewing Safety Procedures in Operation
- Assessing the Effectiveness of Monitoring Processes
11. Auditing Emergency Management Arrangements
- Emergency Planning and Preparedness Requirements
- Training, Drills and Response Readiness
- Communication and Alert Systems
- Reviewing Post-Incident Actions
12. Auditing Incident and Injury Management Processes
- Incident Reporting and Investigation Systems
- Corrective and Preventive Actions
- Return-to-Work and Injury Management Coordination
- Monitoring Trends and Patterns
13. Evaluating WHS Training and Competency Systems
- Training Needs and Skill Requirements
- Induction, Refresher and Role-Specific Training
- Competency Verification Processes
- Assessing Contractor and Visitor Training Requirements
14. Assessing Contractor and Supplier WHS Compliance
- Contractor Selection and Pre-Qualification
- Monitoring Contractor WHS Performance
- Communication of WHS Expectations and Responsibilities
- Supplier WHS Assurance Requirements
15. Analysing WHS Audit Evidence
- Validating and Verifying Collected Evidence
- Identifying Gaps, Trends and Systemic Issues
- Risk-Based Evaluation of Findings
- Determining Conformance and Non-Conformance
16. Preparing WHS Audit Findings and Recommendations
- Structuring Findings Clearly and Objectively
- Linking Recommendations to Root Causes
- Prioritising Actions Based on Risk
- Drafting Clear and Actionable Improvement Proposals
17. Developing and Presenting the WHS Audit Report
- Organising Report Content for Clarity
- Using Standardised Templates and Formats
- Communicating Results to Stakeholders
- Managing Confidential or Sensitive Information
18. Monitoring, Follow-Up and Continuous Improvement
- Tracking Corrective and Preventive Actions
- Conducting Follow-Up Verification Activities
- Reviewing Audit Program Effectiveness
- Enhancing Auditor Capability and Tools
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”.