If an HSR or deputy HSR has made a request, the PCBU must, within three months of the request, allow them to attend a training course in work health and safety up to the prescribed training allowance.
HSRs and deputy HSRs can attend an initial training for five days in their first year of office, three days in their second year and two days in their third year. If an HSR is re-elected for another three year term, the same training entitlements apply to each year. These entitlements in South Australia are greater than, and replace, the national model WHS provisions that entitle an HSR to only one day of training in the second or third and subsequent years.
The course of training must be approved by SafeWork SA and be chosen by the HSR in consultation with the PCBU. It is desirable for HSRs and the PCBU to agree on which course the HSR should attend.
Issues that may be considered include:
- timing of attendance
- costs of courses
- costs of attendance including travel and accommodation expenses
- the relevance of the any hazard-specific course to the work group
- the total number of workers requiring training.
A PCBU must allow each HSR and deputy HSR paid time off to attend training with wages, equivalent to what they would otherwise be entitled to receive for working during that period. HSRs should not be disadvantaged in any way as a result of accessing the training that the WHS Act entitles them to. The PCBU must also pay the course fees and any other reasonable costs associated with the HSR attendance at the training.
HSR training is part of normal work-related activity. HSRs are entitled to receive their normal/expected earnings during course attendance. Normal/expected earnings include pay entitlements relating to shift work, regular overtime, higher duties, allowances or penalty rates that would have applied had the HSR been at work.
