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Exam preparation

Use the following best practice guides and resources to better understand and prepare for the certificate of competence examination process.

Examination calendar and application closing datesSubscribe to Mine Safety News

Exam preparation updates

Revised policy on seeking a review (PDF, 1.05 MB): allows review of oral exam outcomes in addition to written exams

Approved examination application: you will be invited via email from the Regulator Portal to complete written and oral exams as applicable to the statutory function certificate you wish to hold. You must accept the invitation in the Mining Workers section of the Regulator Portal through the link in the invitation email or withdraw from it if you are not able to attend before the exams.

Overview

To prepare effectively to fulfil the requirements of certificate of competence examination success, a multi-faceted approach is required.

1. Review and read

2. Prepare

3. Access resources

Coal mines – open cut

Electrical engineer
Mechanical engineer
Mining engineering manager of coal mines other than underground
Open cut examiner

Coal mines - underground

Deputy
Electrical engineering manager
Mechanical engineering manager
Mining engineering manager – underground
Undermanager 

Other mines (non-coal) - open cut

Quarry manager

Other mines (non-coal) – underground

Mining engineering manager
Underground mine supervisor

Licensed activities at coal mines

Cable repair signatory

4. Know the rules

Download a printable version of the examination process (PDF, 113.31 KB).

Results and review request

Written exams: expect results back within 4-6 weeks, with general feedback from examiners and exam papers published.

Oral exams: request feedback within a month of receiving results by having examiner comments read to you over the phone.

If you think your results are incorrect, review the Review of exam outcome policy (PDF, 1.05 MB).

At no stage is a candidate to contact an examiner directly.

Reapplying examination requirements

Guidelines for new and existing candidates can be found here.

Blueprinting for Certificate of competence examinations

Blueprinting is an important process in the development and administration of Certificate of Competence examinations. It ensures a comprehensive and fair assessment of candidates' skills and knowledge. 

Written examinations

  • Each examination panel maintains a blueprint that maps competencies in the framework to be assessed in written and/or oral exams.
  • The blueprint identifies essential questions linked to essential competencies.
  • Candidates must pass these essential questions by achieving a minimum mark to demonstrate competence.
  • Other competencies are assessed through questions with minimum passing marks.
  • The total marks are calculated to determine if the candidate meets the overall passing threshold (e.g., 66 out of 100).

Results reporting

Candidates receive detailed results for each written exam, including:

  • Marks awarded for each question or section
  • Whether essential competency questions were passed
  • Overall exam pass/fail status

Oral examinations

  • Consist of scenario-based questions
  • Candidates must achieve minimum marks, number of items, or specific responses for each scenario
  • Competencies assessed can be essential or other

This blueprinting process ensures a standardised, transparent, and comprehensive assessment of candidates' competencies across various examination formats.