Product Overview

Summary: This Ongoing Training and Development Standard Operating Procedure provides a clear, repeatable framework for planning, delivering, and recording staff training across your organisation. It helps Australian businesses embed continuous learning, meet WHS and regulatory training obligations, and lift workforce capability in a structured, auditable way.

This Ongoing Training and Development Standard Operating Procedure is designed to help Australian organisations move beyond ad-hoc inductions and toolbox talks to a structured, whole-of-business training system. It sets out how to identify training needs, prioritise critical WHS and compliance requirements, schedule and deliver training, and maintain accurate training records that will stand up to regulatory scrutiny. Whether you operate in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, professional services or local government, this SOP provides a practical, step-by-step approach that can be adapted to your size and risk profile.

The procedure addresses common pain points such as inconsistent onboarding, out‑of‑date licences and qualifications, gaps in WHS competency, and the lack of a central training register. It explains how to align training with legislative duties under Australian WHS laws, industry standards and internal policies, while also supporting career development and staff retention. By implementing this SOP, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, improve safety culture, and ensure that the right people have the right skills at the right time, across all sites and shifts.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, organisation-wide processes for planning, delivering, and documenting staff training.
• Demonstrate due diligence and compliance with WHS and industry-specific training obligations during audits and regulator inspections.
• Reduce skills gaps and competency-related incidents by systematically identifying and addressing training needs.
• Streamline training administration through standardised forms, schedules, and a centralised training register.
• Support employee engagement and retention by providing clear pathways for ongoing professional development.

Who is this for?

• Business Owners
• HR Managers
• People and Culture Managers
• WHS Managers
• Training and Development Coordinators
• Operations Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Practice Managers (Healthcare and Allied Health)
• Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Coordinators
• Quality and Compliance Managers
• Safety Representatives and Health and Safety Committee Members

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms
• 3.0 Legislative and Standards Framework
• 4.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Managers, Supervisors, Workers, WHS and HR)
• 5.0 Training Needs Analysis and Competency Requirements
• 6.0 Induction, Onboarding and Role-Specific Training
• 7.0 WHS, Compliance and Licence-Related Training Requirements
• 8.0 Annual Training Planning and Scheduling
• 9.0 Training Delivery Methods (Internal, External, Online, On-the-Job)
• 10.0 Assessment of Competence and Verification of Training Outcomes
• 11.0 Training Records, Registers and Document Control
• 12.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of the Training Program
• 13.0 Managing Non-Compliance, Lapsed Training and Refresher Requirements
• 14.0 Communication and Consultation with Workers and Health and Safety Representatives
• 15.0 Attachments and Templates (Training Matrix, Attendance Form, Evaluation Form, Training Request Form)

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act (as implemented in each state and territory)
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations (as implemented in each state and territory)
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Construction Work: Code of Practice (for construction-related training)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• AS ISO 10015:2019 Quality management – Guidelines for competence management and people development