Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to refresh my competency?
It is the industry best practice that the attendees refresh their competency every 3 years.. The industry sets a 3 year period on the training to keep those holding the statement of attainment up to date. This has been the case since the industry first began playground safety training in 2001.
The unit of competency itself (being AHCPGDXXX “Routine, Operational, or Comprehensive” Inspection of Park Facilities) does not technically expire, but the content it contains goes out of date, for instance the playground standards in Australia which changed as recently as Q2 2021.
Refreshing competency is often a condition of contracts (requiring “current” certificates), as well as being held as best practice legally. Industry qualifications internationally (for example RPII) expire after 3 years. This is the same for all 3rd party playground specific certificates of currency.
Returning attendees can take advantage of the discounted fee and can undertake a shorter training without having to attend the full course again.
*Attendees who wish to refresh their competency must show their previous Nationally Recognised statement of attainment to confirm their eligibility.
Who can inspect?
One of our most frequently asked questions, click the link below to download information about who can inspect, when and by whom, by industry leading Playground Engineering firm CCEP.
What is the difference between level 1 (visual inspection) and level 2 (operational inspection)?
Level 1 is a visual inspection suitable for staff who conduct daily to weekly inspection such as mower, groundskeeper, or cleaner of the facility. Staff observe immediate and visually visible safety issue, risk, or hazards.
Level 2 is an operational inspection suitable for staff who conduct monthly to quarterly inspection such asteam leader of a parks area. The course incorporates visual inspection but also includes a thorough assessment of the site and all its assets such as comparing the condition of the asset when it was new to how it is now for rust, crack etc.
What is the difference between level 2 (operational inspection) and level 3 (comprehensive inspection)?
Level 2 is an operational inspection suitable for staff who conduct monthly to quarterly inspection such as team leader of a parks area. The course incorporates visual inspection but also includes a thorough assessment of the site and all its assets such as comparing the condition of the asset when it was new to how it is now for rust, crack etc. Operational inspection staff oversee the quality of the team members’ work, but does not oversee all assets within a council or organisation.
Level 3 is a comprehensive inspection for staff who conduct broad, overview, once-a-year inspection such as parks supervisor or asset owner who manage multiple assets, park, playground, and outdoor infrastructure within a council or organisation. Staff in this level collect and examine detailed data of the inspection, check all the paperworks from relevant contractors or specialist inspectors. They also oversee the quality of inspection work for their internal team throughout the year, ensuring that all process and procedure are happening as it should be on site.
What is the difference between a comprehensive inspection and a playground audit/ certification?
AHCPGD510 Conduct comprehensive inspection of park facilities
AHCPGD510 Conduct comprehensive inspection of park facilities training course provides competency for the student to undertake a comprehensive inspection of the park and all of its facilities to the Australian Standards, as relevant to the scope of a comprehensive inspection of park facilities. A yearly requirement of all park facilities, it is broad, encompassing all areas of the Park facility, and is a once-a-year review of the entire park.
Critically, due to industry confusion regarding the competency, AHCPGD510 Conduct comprehensive inspection of park facilities is not a certifier or building certification course, regardless of provider.
To undertake a certifier role, with only the AHCPGD510 Conduct comprehensive inspection of park facilities competency breaches the requirements of the NCC and various professional organisational restrictions. It also voids any insurances (due to misleading the insurer), and in the event of an injury leading to a fatality, a charge of industrial manslaughter can be applied to the individual/company.
Annual Playground Audit/Certification
Annual playground audit/certification is an in-depth, standards based assessment, much like a structural/electrical engineering audit/certification of any other built structure. A playground is a Class 10B structure under the general requirements of the National Construction Code – In short, a playground is a type of building.
Annual playground inspectors are personally liable for their review/certification to the fullest extent of the law, and must be insured typically for a minimum of $20 million in both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity. The insurance must state “Playground certification”.
Playground certification ensures that the playground complies with all of the relevant standards at time of inspection, including impact testing of surfaces.
It is an insurance and competence heavy industry; which requires many years of specific training and is conducted independently to satisfy both insurance and also NCC requirements. (Buildings cannot be self-certified)
These inspections can be undertaken by an Engineer, a NATA qualified certifier, or in some cases a building certifier.
These inspections require surface attenuation testing every 3 years by fully trained staff and this testing must then be signed off by an Engineer or NATA Certifier. Failure to have these qualifications/certifications invalidates results.
Annual playground inspectors learn the correct application of standards, use of entrapment tools and the required compliance knowledge (utilising current and historical standards appropriately) during what is typically a 5 year on-the-job training process internal to certification firms.
What are the training delivery options?
FACE-TO-FACE DELIVERY
In-house training:
Our trainer comes to you. Private in-house training only requires a minimum number of 10 attendees, and there is no extra travel charges. If you do not have the required number, our friendly team can assist with getting in touch with the surrounding councils on your behalf. The process is simple and hassle free. You provide the venue and we do the rest.
Public CBD:
We host a public CBD course in all major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart. To find out about the upcoming courses, please click here.
ONLINE DELIVERY
Our online courses are self-paced and easy to navigate. It is a more cost effective option. There is a full trainer support via email or call and also a practical component just as our face-to-face course. Upon completion, you will receive a Nationally Recognised Statement of Attainment.
Do you offer an in-house training?
Yes, we do. With PlaySafety, you train your way!
Our in-house training only requires a minimum number of 10 attendees, and there is no extra travel charges. If you do not have the required number, our team can assist with getting in touch with the surrounding councils or organisations on your behalf to enrol external attendees. The process is simple and hassle free. You provide the venue and we do the rest.
Please reach out to our friendly team today to discuss your training plan and we can create a custom training proposal for your council or organisation.
What is the difference between the online and virtual delivery?
ONLINE DELIVERY
Our online courses are pre-recorded and the attendees access the course through our Learning Management System (LMS).
The course is self-paced and easy to navigate. There is a full trainer support via email or call and also a practical component just as our face-to-face course.
Our online delivery is available for level 1 and level 2 course only. Level 1 attendees have 4 weeks to complete the course and level 2 attendees have 6 weeks to complete the course.
VIRTUAL DELIVERY
Our virtual courses are live-steamed with trainer present in real-time. The courses are scheduled for specific dates and attendees will access the course through their laptops or computers using Google Meet application.
The application allows attendees to ask question and interact with the trainer real time. The course is structured with the theory and practical component just like the face to face training. Supervisor of the team is required to sign the assessment workbook as an evidence of the attendee’s practical work onsite.
What is your payment method and cancellation policy?
Payment Options
Course fees may be paid individually by attendee or by the accounts department of corporate client or council on behalf of attendees by credit card (MasterCard, Visa Card or AMEX), EFT bank transfer, or a Purchase Order which may be raised and then paid as per client or councils terms.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be made in writing and the following charges apply: More than three weeks prior to the event – 25% of fee. Less than 3 weeks prior to the event – 50% of fee; 5 working days (or less) prior to the event – 100% of fee. TRAINING CREDITS WILL BE GIVEN FOR FUTURE COURSES for participants who are booked but do not attend on the day. Attendee names may be swapped within courses without cost. Play Safety Training Group cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred due to a cancelled event.
How to enrol?
To enrol, please complete the booking form here.
What is a USI?
The Unique Student Identifier and the USI transcript are part of a Council of Australian Governments initiative to improve the collection and use of data on nationally recognised training. They are supported by Commonwealth Legislation, the Student Identifiers Act 2014.
Find out more here
Student Handbook
Play Safety Training Group is the trading name of Total Training Group RTO Code 45588
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