You’ve likely seen “S11” listed as a requirement for new starters if you’ve been looking at coal mine jobs in Queensland. S11 is short for Standard 11, which is the safety induction course you’ll need before you can work on a Queensland surface coal mine site.
At Civil Safety (RTO 32381), our trainers deliver the Standard 11 induction at our Brisbane training centre in Virginia. Below, we’ll explain what the induction covers and how you can get yours before you apply for your first job at a Queensland mine site.
What Is Standard 11?
Standard 11 is the Queensland Coal Mining Induction, which is a general safety course you’ll need to complete before you start work at a Queensland coal mine. The name comes from Recognised Standard 11 (RS11), the training standard the Minister for Resources issues under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999.
Coal mines follow Standard 11 protocols when they set up training schemes for induction, assessment, recognition of prior learning and refresher training.
Our Standard 11 course covers the six units of competency required for surface mine workers. You’ll be trained and assessed in each unit, with every unit covering a specific, nationally recognised workplace skill.
Unit code | Unit title |
RIIWHS201E | Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures |
HLTAID011 | Provide first aid |
RIIGOV201E | Comply with site work processes/procedures |
RIIRIS201E | Conduct local risk control |
RIICOM201E | Communicate in the workplace |
RIIERR302E | Respond to local emergencies and incidents |
Who Needs a Standard 11 Induction?
Anyone planning to work at a Queensland surface coal mine must complete a Standard 11 induction before starting work. This applies to workers entering surface coal mining operations, including those in operational, maintenance and support roles.
Note: Standard 11 covers the induction requirements for Queensland surface coal mining operations. If you plan to work in an underground coal mine, you can complete the additional S11 Underground course after successfully completing your Standard 11 induction.
Queensland metalliferous mines, which extract metals like copper, gold and zinc, only legally require a site-specific induction for new workers. Many employers at these mines and at quarries will ask for S11 when they hire, so having one when you apply gives you the chance to apply for more of the mining jobs in Queensland and WA.
Western Australian mine operators deliver their own inductions to every new worker under the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022. Standard 11 is a Queensland requirement only, so you’ll have to complete a separate induction if you want to join a WA site.
How to Get Your Standard 11 in Brisbane
You can enrol in our Standard 11 course in a blended format. You’ll study the theory online first and then attend a practical day at our Brisbane training centre in Virginia. These are the steps to complete it:
Enrol online and choose a date that suits your schedule.
Complete the online theory modules within 30 days, studying at your own pace from home.
Attend the one-day practical in Virginia, where our trainers will assess your skills over about four to six hours.
Receive your Statement of Attainment within three to five business days of finishing the practical.
You can fit your S11 around a current job with a weekday practical in the morning or from 4pm to 9pm, or with a Saturday session from 7:30am to 3:30pm. Our trainers also deliver a Standard 11 face-to-face course in Mackay or at your own workplace, which covers the theory and practical in a single classroom day.
How Much Does a Standard 11 Course Cost in Brisbane?
A Standard 11 course in Brisbane costs $695, with Afterpay available if you’d like to split the fee into instalments. Government funding doesn’t apply to this course, so you’ll have to pay the fee yourself unless an employer is willing to cover your training.
Standard 11 and the Coal Board Medical
The coal board medical is a separate health check you’ll need to complete in addition to your S11 before you start at a Queensland coal mine. Its official name is now the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme, which Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) manages through an online system called ResHealth.
You’ll complete a full assessment before you start work with each new employer. An Appointed Medical Adviser, who is a doctor your employer appoints to oversee worker health, then decides how often you’ll need to return, with no more than five years between assessments under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Registration 2017.
These assessments only apply if you work at a coal mine in a role outside low-risk work like an office job. Workers at metalliferous mines and quarries must complete respiratory health checks under separate Queensland rules instead, with one before they start and another at least every five years.
What Comes After Your Standard 11
You can start applying for surface roles at Queensland coal mines once you have your S11. To keep your induction current, you’ll need to complete refresher training at least once every five years, although some sites may ask for it sooner. S11 doesn’t always require full retraining in every unit, so you can complete our Standard 11 online refresher course from home when it’s due.
Some roles ask for a different induction depending on where you work. Underground coal mine workers complete our Standard 11 Underground Mining Induction Course, where escape from a hazardous situation unaided (RIIERR203) replaces the surface emergency unit (RIIERR302). BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) employees and contractors complete BMA’s own version of S11, which we deliver in Brisbane through our BMA Standard 11 courses.
Book Your Standard 11 Course in Brisbane
Queensland coal mine employers want to see an S11 on your resume before they’ll offer you a start date. You could have yours within a few days of enrolling with us by studying the theory at your own pace and then completing one practical day in Virginia.
Book our Standard 11 course today and lock in a weekday, evening or Saturday practical that fits around your schedule. Please contact us if you have any questions before you enrol.