Plant registration
The law requires that specified high risk plant must be registered. This includes registering the design of the plant and also the individual plant items.
Attention: Large number of item registrations due in 2025
On 1 February 2020, amendments to the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation commenced and the duration for an item registration moved from 1-year to 5-years (section 187(4)(b)). As a result of this change, there are approximately 900 item registrations which may require renewal in 2025.
The Regulator has reviewed internal processes to ensure applications are processed in an efficient manner. Where there may be delays, item registration holders are reminded that pursuant to clause 278 of the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation, a registration remains in effect while a renewal application, submitted in accordance with clause 277, is under consideration.
Applicants are encouraged to:
- Submit applications early to ensure sufficient processing time. You can make an application for renewal three months prior to the item’s expiry date.
- Double-check all documentation to ensure it is accurate and complete prior to submission, reducing the need for follow-ups or corrections.
- Submit applications early to ensure sufficient processing time. You can make an application for renewal three months prior to the item’s expiry date.
- Double-check all documentation to ensure it is accurate and complete prior to submission, reducing the need for follow-ups or corrections.
- Utilise the online application portal for submissions and application tracking. If you do not have portal access, please email mca@regional.nsw.gov.au
General industry plant
General industry plant is plant used generally in any industry, including the mining industry, and must be registered with SafeWork NSW. For more information see our general industry plant page.
Mining specific plant
Mining specific plant is only used in the mining industry. All mining specific plant must be registered by the Resources Regulator.
There are two types of plant registration:
- Design registration - applies to all items manufactured to the same design
- Item registration - is the registration of each piece of plant
Note: The application for item registration must be made by the person in control of the plant.
Application for registration must be made through the online form available through the Resources Regulator portal.
Mining-specific plant requiring design and item registration are specified in section 187 of the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2022, as listed below.
Design registration
Design registration of specific mining plant
Apply for registration through the Resources Regulator portal.
* Includes underground applications under the Work Health & Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2022.
** Means conveyor belting material, not the conveyor system.
General guidance
Amendment of design registration
Apply online through the Resources Regulator portal.
Item registration
Item registration is required for the mining specific plant outlined below, which are granted for a 5 year period.
Item registration of mining specific plant
Apply for registration through the Resources Regulator portal.
| Item of plant |
| Diesel engine systems used in underground mines |
| Booster fans used in underground mines |
| Winding systems (other than person-riding hoists in small gemstone mines) |
Amendment of item registration
Application for a renewal of an item of plant registration must occur prior to the expiry date listed on the registration document, which can be from 3 months prior when a reminder email is sent to the holder. Use the:
- Renewal form (specific to each item) - if there are no changes to your item registration
- Amendment form - if you need to make any changes to your item registration
Apply online through the Resources Regulator portal.
Schedule of fees
An application for a licence under Part 9, or a plant design or item of plant registration specified in clause 177 of the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2022, must be accompanied by a fee. The fees applicable are set out in the schedule available below:
Register of design registrations
A live register of current and inactive granted design registrations is available here from the Resources Regulator Portal. Within the register you can filter for the type of authorisations you want to view from a general list.
Note: the register is limited to those designs registered from 1 July 2010. If the registration you are seeking details of is not listed, please email mca@regional.nsw.gov.au.
General guidance and events
Webinars
Relevant webinars are being held, as communicated through our Events page. Recordings can be accessed below:
Webinar: Applying for plant registration through the Resources Regulator portal