WHS Due Diligence Training for Officers

Practical WHS due diligence training for senior leaders

Work Safety Hub delivers facilitated WHS due diligence training for officers, executives and senior leaders in Australian organisations. The workshop helps participants understand the practical elements of due diligence, ask better questions of their organisation and strengthen oversight of material health and safety risks.

The program is tailored to the organisation's structure, industry, risk profile and leadership context. Practical discussion, relevant scenarios and guided self-assessment help participants translate legislative concepts into actions they can apply through leadership, governance and verification.

What does WHS due diligence require from officers?

In jurisdictions applying WHS laws based on the model WHS Act, an officer must exercise due diligence to ensure the person conducting the business or undertaking complies with its WHS duties. Due diligence includes taking reasonable steps to:

acquire and keep up-to-date knowledge of WHS matters;
understand the organisation's operations and the hazards and risks associated with them;
ensure appropriate resources and processes are available and used to eliminate or minimise WHS risks;
ensure processes are in place to receive, consider and respond promptly to information about incidents, hazards and risks;
ensure the organisation has and implements processes for complying with its WHS duties; and
verify that the relevant resources and processes are provided and used.

WHS laws and terminology vary between jurisdictions, and Victoria has not implemented the model WHS laws. The workshop is tailored to the laws and operating context relevant to the participating organisation. It provides practical education and leadership development, not legal advice.

Who should attend?

Officers and directors
Chief executives and executive leadership teams
Senior operational leaders
Governance, risk and assurance leaders
Senior WHS and people leaders supporting officer oversight

What participants will learn

The workshop focuses on the practical questions and verification activities senior leaders need to apply in their organisation. Content is adapted to the agreed audience and operating context.

The practical meaning of WHS due diligence in an officer's context

Connect the elements of due diligence with the participant's leadership and governance role.

How to maintain current WHS knowledge relevant to the organisation

Identify practical sources and processes for maintaining knowledge relevant to operations and material risks.

How to understand operations, hazards and material risks

Use operational information, consultation and assurance evidence to improve leadership understanding of material WHS risks.

How to examine whether appropriate resources and processes are available and used

Consider whether WHS resources, responsibilities and processes are suitable, available and operating in practice.

How to assess reporting, escalation and response arrangements

Examine whether material WHS information reaches the right leaders and prompts an appropriate response.

How to test whether WHS processes are implemented and operating

Use assurance, consultation and performance evidence to verify that intended arrangements are working.

How to identify practical leadership and governance improvements

Turn the workshop discussion into practical priorities for leadership attention and governance improvement.

How the training is delivered

This is a facilitated and organisation-specific program, not a generic self-paced online course. Delivery arrangements, duration, participant numbers and supporting materials are confirmed during scoping. The program may be delivered at the client's workplace, at an agreed venue or through a facilitated online session where suitable.

Senior leaders reviewing WHS governance and risk assurance priorities

Frequently asked questions

Who should attend this training? The program is designed for officers, directors, chief executives, executive leadership teams, senior operational leaders and the governance, risk, WHS or people leaders who support officer oversight.

Is this course for officers under Australian WHS laws? It is designed for officers, executives and senior leaders who need to understand and exercise practical oversight of WHS. Because definitions and duties can depend on the applicable law and circumstances, organisations should obtain legal advice about individual status and obligations where required.

Is the training delivered online? The program is facilitated and may be delivered in person or through a facilitated online session where suitable. It is not currently presented as a self-paced RiskReady Academy course.

Can the workshop be tailored to our organisation? Yes. Scenarios, discussion and self-assessment can be tailored to the organisation's industry, governance arrangements, material risks and leadership context.

Does completing the training demonstrate compliance? No. Training supports knowledge and leadership capability, but due diligence requires ongoing action, inquiry, resourcing, verification and oversight in the organisation's actual operating context.

Discuss due diligence training for your leadership team

This program provides practical WHS education and leadership development. It is not legal advice and does not guarantee that an individual or organisation has satisfied its legal duties. Legal questions should be referred to an appropriately qualified legal adviser.

Tell us about your leadership group, operating context and training objectives. We can then recommend a suitable facilitated format, scope and delivery approach.

Need an evidence-based view of how your arrangements operate? Explore our independent WHS audit and assurance services

Discuss your training requirements

WHS Due Diligence Training for Officers and Executives