How to become a statutory mining supervisor in Western Australia (Schedule 26 guide)

Western Australia’s mining industry employed 134,009 on-site workers in 2024–25, near the record set the previous year, with $49 billion in committed projects and a further $122 billion in the pipeline. Every one of those operations needs formally appointed statutory supervisors, and each supervisor needs a valid Schedule 26 qualification. This guide covers the requirements of a Schedule 26 qualification and how to get one.

What is a statutory mining supervisor?

A statutory mining supervisor is a formally appointed supervisory role under WA’s Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022. Mine operators make the appointment directly, and the role comes with legal accountability for worker safety, WHS compliance, and day-to-day site operations. This is a legislated position with defined responsibilities higher than standard supervisory work.

That role was created because mines are more dangerous than the average workplace. Mining recorded 10 worker fatalities in Australia in 2024, a fatality rate more than double the national average. Statutory supervisors are one of the primary mechanisms the legislation uses to prevent those numbers from climbing.

What is Schedule 26?

Schedule 26 is the part of WA’s Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 that sets the competency requirements for statutory supervisors. It replaced the former Section 44 requirements, which some workers may still know it by, and brought WA’s statutory supervisor framework in line with the national WHS structure while keeping the state-specific legislative requirements intact.

If you completed a Section 44 qualification before the change, check whether your credentials still satisfy the current Schedule 26 requirements. The two frameworks are not identical even if Schedule 26 is the continuation of Section 44.

Who needs Schedule 26 in WA?

Any worker formally appointed to a statutory supervisory position on a WA mine site needs Schedule 26. In practice, that covers leading hands moving into supervisory roles, experienced operators stepping up to site supervisor positions, and workers being appointed as statutory supervisors under the WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022.

WA has 42 major resources and energy projects in its investment pipeline valued at $81.8 billion, forecast to create demand for almost 9,000 new operating-phase workers by 2030. Every one of those sites needs formally appointed statutory supervisors. Workers getting their Schedule 26 qualification now are positioning themselves for a pipeline that will need supervisory capacity for years.

What does Schedule 26 require?

Schedule 26 has two distinct requirements, both of which are mandatory and neither is a substitute for the other.

The Schedule 26 training units

You must complete two nationally recognised units of competency through a registered training organisation:

• BSBWHS411 Implement and Monitor WHS Policies, Procedures and Programs

• BSBWHS414 Contribute to WHS Risk Management

Civil Safety (RTO 32381) delivers both units through our Statutory Mining Supervisors Course (Schedule 26/S26 WA) entirely online and as a face-to-face course at our Perth and Kalgoorlie training centres.

The LGIRS legislation exam

Completing the training alone does not qualify you as a statutory supervisor. You must also pass a separate legislation examination administered by the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS). The exam tests your knowledge of WA mining legislation and WHS regulations. Workers who have sat the exam say it’s more about knowing where to look in the legislation, not how much of it you’ve memorised.

How to get Schedule 26 qualified: step by step

WA is expected to account for 40% of Australia’s resource workforce growth over the next five years. Workers who complete their Schedule 26 qualifications now can make the most of that growth with the credentials to supervise it. Here’s how to get your Schedule 26 qualification:

1. Gain relevant mining experience: Civil Safety requires a minimum of two years experience in mining, civil, or construction operations before enrolment. If you’re unsure whether your background qualifies, contact us before booking.

2. Complete BSBWHS411: This unit covers how to implement and monitor WHS policies and procedures on site, including how to identify hazards and lead safety processes at a supervisory level.

3. Complete BSBWHS414: This unit focuses on contributing to WHS risk management, covering how to identify and assess risks, support risk control processes, and maintain records in line with WHS legislation.

4. Take the LGIRS legislation exam: Book your examination through LGIRS separately from your training. The exam covers WA mining legislation and WHS regulations.

5. Apply for statutory appointment: Once you’ve completed the training units and passed the exam, your employer formally appoints you to a statutory supervisory position under the WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022.

Mining supervisor salary and career progression in WA

Moving from operator to statutory supervisor is one of the biggest earning jumps available to experienced miners in WA. Most miners become a leading hand first, where they take charge of a small crew before stepping into a formally appointed statutory position. From there, they can become a mining supervisor and then superintendent, with each step up bringing more responsibilities but also higher pay.

The table below shows what that progression looks like:

Role	Typical responsibilities	Salary range
Leading hand	Managing small crews and taking on increased safety responsibilities before getting a formally appointed statutory role.	$95,000 to $115,000
Mining supervisor	Overseeing crews, managing WHS compliance, and holding statutory supervisory accountability on site	$185,000 to $205,000
Mining superintendent	Managing multiple supervisors and broader site operations across production, safety, workforce planning, and compliance	$190,000 to $210,000

Start your Schedule 26 training with Civil Safety

We deliver the Statutory Mining Supervisors Course at our Perth and Kalgoorlie training centres, available as both an online course and a face-to-face course. Contact us today to book your place.

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