Queensland coal mines

Standard 11 Coal Mining Induction

Standard 11 is the generic coal mining induction for Queensland coal mines, set by Recognised Standard 11 from RSHQ. Providers charge $595 to $900, usually over 1 to 2 days. Coal mine workers then need refresher training at least once every five years under the mine training scheme.

Last checked 6 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm with the regulator or provider before you book.

Key facts

Price range: $595 to $900 (13 published prices)
Typical length: 1 day for experienced entrants, 2 days for new entrants (provider-stated).
Expiry: Refresher training at least once every five years under the mine training scheme (Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017, s84).
Providers compared: 17
Last checked: 6 October 2026

Compare Standard 11 providers

How much does a Standard 11 course cost?

Published prices run $595 to $900 across 13 of the 17 providers we compared. Each figure comes from the provider’s own course page on 6 October 2026. See every provider, sorted cheapest first.

What are the rules for Standard 11?

Recognised Standard 11 'Training in coal mines' is Version 2.0, issued by Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) under the authority of the Minister for Resources and gazetted 21 July 2023. Made under Part 5 (Recognised Standards) and s37(3) of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999.
Source: www.rshq.qld.gov.au
RSHQ lists 'RS11: Training in coal mines' under 'Recognised standards (coal mines)' on its recognised standards page.
Source: www.business.qld.gov.au
Who requires it: the standard applies to Queensland coal mines under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999. Section 4 says the Queensland Coal Mining Induction (Appendix 3) and a site induction must be developed to ensure appropriate safety information is provided to a Coal Mine Worker prior to commencing work. Site Senior Executives (SSEs) are responsible for the mine training scheme.
Source: www.rshq.qld.gov.au
Appendix 3 (Qld Coal Mining Induction): participants shall be trained and assessed against, for a surface mine: RIIWHS201 Work Safely, RIIERR205 Apply Initial First Aid, RIIGOV201 Comply With Site Work Systems, RIIRIS201 Conduct local Risk Assessment, RIICOM201 Communicate in the Workplace, RIIERR302 Respond to Local Emergencies and Incidents. For an underground mine the same list applies but RIIERR203 Escape From a Hazardous Situation Unaided replaces RIIERR302.
Source: www.rshq.qld.gov.au
Refresher rules: section 8 of the standard says Section 84 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 requires each Coal Mine Worker (including supervisors/managers and certificate of competency holders) to be given refresher training under the mine training scheme at least once in every five years. The SSE is responsible for ensuring this. Refresher training does not necessarily require full training and assessment against the full unit of competency and may be partly achieved by a record of observations.
Source: www.rshq.qld.gov.au
The standard itself does not state a separate 'validity period' for the generic induction certificate and does not name the skill set code RIISS00034 or unit version letters (it lists unit codes without E/D suffixes). The 5-year figure is the maximum refresher interval. Individual mines may require refreshing sooner (providers state 2 years on some sites).
Source: www.rshq.qld.gov.au
Section 5: an RTO must ensure each person who trains or assesses on its behalf, on or for a coal mine, complies with the NVETR Act 2011 (Cth), the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 and Regulation 2017, and the requirements of CMSHAC (Coal Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee).
Source: www.rshq.qld.gov.au
Providers consistently name the delivered package as RIISS00034 Surface Coal Mine Safety Skill Set (six units, current versions RIICOM201E, RIIERR205D, RIIERR302E, RIIGOV201E, RIIRIS201E, RIIWHS201E). This is provider-stated, not from the RSHQ standard; training.gov.au was not loadable via fetch.
Source: atraining.com.au
Provider-stated: experienced entrants (at least 3 months resources industry work in the last 5 years, with evidence) can do a 1-day experienced entrant/refresher course; new-to-industry people do 2 days.
Source: www.worksafeconnect.com
Provider-stated: some refresher courses require a current Standard 11 Statement of Attainment (Diggerman: less than 6 years old; Gold Training: copy of existing S11 qualification).
Source: www.diggermantraining.com.au

Standard 11 questions answered

Who needs Standard 11?

Recognised Standard 11 applies to Queensland coal mines under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999. It requires the Queensland Coal Mining Induction and a site induction before a coal mine worker starts work. The site senior executive is responsible for the mine training scheme.

How much does Standard 11 cost?

Across 17 providers, published prices run $595 to $900, as listed on each provider's own page and last checked 6 October 2026. Some providers do not publish a price.

How long does Standard 11 last?

The standard sets no separate validity period for the induction certificate. It does require each coal mine worker to get refresher training under the mine training scheme at least once every five years.

How long is the Standard 11 course?

Providers say 1 day for experienced entrants (at least 3 months of resources industry work in the last 5 years, with evidence) and 2 days for people new to the industry. Check the provider's page for the course you need.

Want the full walkthrough? Read our Standard 11 guide.