The Queensland Government Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ), formerly Department of Natural Resources Mines and Energy (DNRME), currently publishes a register of doctors (as well as other approved providers) that are suitably qualified and experienced to complete health assessments (e.g. as an Appointed Medical Adviser) under the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme.

RSHQ and Quality Innovation Performance Limited (QIP) have introduced an accreditation program for these doctors. To achieve accreditation, doctors must provide evidence that they meet the RSHQ Supervising Doctor Standards.

From 1 March 2019, only doctors that are accredited with QIP will be eligible for approval by RSHQ and included on the register.

Supervising doctor standards

Prior to enrolling for accreditation with QIP, doctors who are applying for QIP accreditation should ensure they meet ALL five minimum eligibility requirements outlined below:

1. Hold general or specialist registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and

Note: if there are conditions, reprimands, undertakings or tribunal decisions; please contact QIP to discuss further.

2A. Have a post-graduate qualification in occupational medicine or occupational health or an international equivalent, as per the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

2B. If doctors do not have a post-graduate qualification in occupational medicine or occupational health they must meet the following requirements:

i.  Have at least one of the following qualifications

    • Attained a Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)
    • Attained a Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM) and/or
    • Holds Specialist – General Practice registration with the Medical Board of Australia.

ii.  Have demonstrated experience of at least one of the following:

    • Conducted at least 24 assessments and/or specific advice for the purposes of health surveillance (in any industry) each year over the last five years
    • Conducted at least 24 assessments and/or specific advice regarding fitness to work (in any industry) each year over the last five years, or
    • Have been employed/contracted to provide occupational health advice to a company/companies for at least 12 months in the last five years.
      Note: Occupational health advice could include health and well being, vaccinations, providing strategies and education regarding occupational/mining hazards such as coal and silica dust exposure as well as advice relating to changes to coal dust screening and mandatory health assessments (formerly known as the Coal Board Medical). Conducting assessments alone is not sufficient to achieve accreditation.

3. Have the following experience specific to the coal mining industry: 

    • Conducted at least 24 medicals for coal mine workers (face-to-face assessments, such as the coal mine workers’ health scheme, or employer-specific pre-employment medicals) each year over the last three years, or
    • Over-sighted at least 24 medical assessments each year for coal mine workers conducted by other health professionals each year over the last three years, or
    • Provided at least 24 injury/illness management services each year to coal mine workers (for example for workers compensation purposes) each year over the last three years.

4. To complete the accreditation, doctors will also need to:

QIP will undertake a preliminary check for any existing conditions, undertakings or reprimands on the registration of a practitioner via the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Where conditions, undertakings or reprimands are identified, QIP will refer details of the applicant to RSHQ for an initial review as to whether the doctor is fit and proper to carry out the scheme function. Doctors that achieve accreditation can apply for approval by RSHQ. Refer to the RSHQ approval criteria for more information.

Applying for accreditation with QIP

In order to complete the accreditation process with QIP, doctors will need to:

  • Review the eligibility requirements to ensure you are eligible for Coal Mine Workers’ accreditation,
  • Complete the above online registration form,
  • Agree to the QIP client service agreement, and
  • Undertake the online self-assessment, uploading any required evidence and submit the completed application to QIP for review by independent decision makers.

Please note: QIP accreditation for Supervising Doctor pathway is valid for a period of 12 months. RSHQ approved providers will be required to maintain their accreditation in order to remain on the RSHQ register of providers.

Accreditation support

QIP offers a range of tools and resources designed to support training providers throughout their accreditation journey, including:

  • A dedicated QIP Client Liaison Officer
  • Access to QIP’s online accreditation hub, that includes access to:
    • Our user-friendly self-assessment tool known as AccreditationPro, and
    • Our extensive online Education and Resource Library
  • Marketing collateral to support you in promoting your accredited status.

Once awarded QIP accreditation, you may apply to RSHQ to become an approved provider.