Competency & Certification
What is a Competent Person?
A competent person is defined as:
“A person who has acquired through training, qualifications or experience, or a combination of these, the knowledge and skills enabling that person to perform a specified task” (Clause 5.1, Australian Standard 4685 Part 0, 2017, Page 6).
In playground safety inspections, a competent person is someone who possesses the necessary skills and expertise to assess playground equipment, identify hazards, and ensure compliance with Australian Standards.
Who Can Perform Playground Inspections?
According to Australian Standards:
“Individuals performing tasks such as assessment, inspection, repair and maintenance of a playground shall be competent to perform the task that they are undertaking (see clause 5.1 above).
NOTE: It is advisable for these individuals or organizations to maintain relevant insurance.
All playground inspections shall be performed by a competent person.
The post-installation and comprehensive inspections shall be performed by a person who has training and experience that enables them to perform a full conformity check to AS 4685 (series). Impact testing in accordance with AS 4422 requires the capability to operate specialised equipment and interpret the results. These inspections do not need to be carried out by the same person or organisation” (Clause 8.5.7, Australian Standard 4685 Part 0, 2017, Page 15).
This means that anyone conducting playground inspections must have the necessary expertise to ensure safety, with post-installation and comprehensive inspections requiring additional qualifications and experience.
Is Certification Required to Become a Playground Safety Inspector?
While training contributes to competence (Clause 5.1, Australian Standard 4685 Part 0, 2017, Page 6), there is no legal requirement or occupational licensing for playground safety inspector certification in Australia. However, all playground inspections must still be conducted by a competent person (Clause 8.5.7, Australian Standard 4685 Part 0, 2017, Page 15).
Although not mandatory, certification is considered an industry-standard benchmark and a best practice approach for ensuring playground inspectors, equipment operators, supervisors, and manufacturers meet the necessary competency standards.
Playground Safety Inspector Certification
Play Safe Institute offers Certified Inspector:Playground Safety Courses. This certification demonstrates competency in playground safety inspections at three levels:
- Level 1 – Routine Playground Safety Inspector
- Level 2 – Operational Playground Safety Inspector
- Level 3 – Comprehensive Playground Safety Inspector
Holding a valid certificate is widely accepted in the industry as proof of competence for conducting playground assessments, inspections, maintenance, and repairs.
Upon obtaining certification, your details and registration number will be listed on the PSIA register, provided you adhere to Play Safe Institute Pty Ltd Code of Ethics and take personal responsibility for the quality of your work.
How Long is Certification Valid?
Certification is valid for three years from the date of training completion with Play Safe Institute Pty Ltd. This aligns with industry standards that recommend playground inspectors refresh their training every three years to stay up to date with evolving regulations and best practices.
