Adventure Activities - Q&A for Operator’s
Audit
If I fail my audit, what happens? Can I still operate while working on fixing the failure points?
If the Secretary of Labour has requested you register, you have 6 months to pass your safety audit after you have initiated it.
When your registration is being renewed, you will not be in breach of the requirement to be registered if you fail your new audit before your previous certificate expires.
If you are operating in a way that is unsafe and you continue to provide the activity, you will be in breach of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
I have multiple activities; will I need to have multiple audits?
No. One audit can usually cover a range of activities. This should be discussed with your safety auditor.
What is the allowed lag time between audits (existing one expires, need to get another before when)?
For providers to be registered, they must have a valid safety audit certificate. If the certificate lapses before a new one is obtained, registration also lapses and operators will be in breach of the Regulations if they continue to provide adventure activities.
I’m a new adventure activity business. Can I start running the business without a completed audit?
A new business must notify the Department that it is providing an adventure activity. From 1 May 2012, this must occur before starting out. From this you will be contacted by the Secretary of Labour if you are required to be registered.
Before November 2014 you must commence this safety audit within three months of receiving a request to do so from the Registrar. You have 6 months after you start that audit to pass the audit and be registered.
For the safety of your staff and customers, the Department strongly recommends you obtain a safety audit as promptly as possible. Regardless of the Regulations, you must take all practicable steps to ensure your operation has adequate safety measures in place.
After November 2014 you will not be able to start to provide an adventure activity unless you first have obtained a safety audit certificate and been registered.
How long will my audit take, and will it involve a site visit / practical component?
This will be influenced by the type and depth of audit required for your organisation.
How much will my audit cost?
The cost of safety audits may vary between auditors. More than one auditor will be recognised by the Department.
The $100 registration fee is a set amount for each year the audit certificate is valid. This will be charged by the safety auditor and paid to the Registrar.
I disagree with my audit result, what do I do?
In the first instance you should discuss any concerns with your safety auditor.
A potential customer says they will only deal with me if I’m registered, but the Department of Labour says I can’t register. What can I do?
There may be two reasons why you can’t register:
- Registration is not possible yet. The Registration scheme has a three year implementation process.
- You do not provide an ‘Adventure Activity’ according to the definition in the Regulations.
