Why is an annual maintenance inspection required?

Some items of plant, due to their hazardous nature, require specific management to minimise any danger to the operator or other parties.

An employer’s responsibilities regarding the maintenance of items of plant (other than tower cranes) are set out in Regulation 4.47 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994 (the Regulations). An employer must take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that inspections, maintenance and cleaning are carried out having regard to procedures recommended for the item of plant by its designer or manufacturer, or developed for the item of plant by a Competent Person.

A copy of the Regulations is available at www.comlaw.gov.au.

How do I notify Comcare of annual maintenance for an item of plant?

For each 12 months that the employer is licensed to operate the item of plant (other than a tower crane) listed in Part 2 of Schedule 6 of the Regulations, the employer must provide a notification of compliance with the maintenance requirement for that item of plant.

For notifications containing more than 10 items, the multiple notification form may be more convenient. To obtain copies of this form or for further information please contact Comcare on telephone: 1300 366 979 or email: ohs.plant@comcare.gov.au.

Completed forms can be:

• faxed to (02) 6274 8866; or
• posted to the

How do I complete the notification form?

The following provides additional information to assist applicants to complete the form for notification of compliance with the maintenance requirement for an item of plant other than tower cranes.

Section 1: Licence number

• Enter current licence number.

Section 2: Organisation and applicant details

• “Principal Officer’ is defined in section 5 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991. For example, this would be the “Chief Executive Officer” (CEO) in a Commonwealth authority or in the case of a Department this would be the “Secretary”.
• The term applicant refers to the person who signs the declaration at Section 6. All letters from Comcare will be sent to the applicant.
• Under Regulation 4.46 the employer must, no later than 21 days after becoming aware of a change in the name of the employer, complete and forward to Comcare an application for variation to a licence to operate plant.

Section 3: Plant item identification 

• Enter the model number for the item of plant.
• Enter the serial number for the item of plant.
• Enter any owner identification (such as organisation bar code or unique plant number) for the item of plant.
• Under Regulation 4.46 the employer must, no later than 21 days after becoming aware of an item of plant being decommissioned or disposed of, complete and forward to Comcare an application for variation to a licence to operate plant.
• Enter yes or no to indicate if the item of plant’s design has been altered since registration (such as modifications carried out to the item of plant that vary from the original registered design).
• Under Regulation 4.46 the employer must, no later than 21 days after becoming aware of an alteration to an item of plant, complete and forward to Comcare an application for variation to a licence to operate plant.

Section 4: Plant location

• Tick one box to indicate whether the plant item is fixed or mobile.
• Enter the address of the plant item’s location (if fixed) or depot (if mobile). 
• Under Regulation 4.46 the employer must, no later than 21 days after becoming aware of the relocation of an item of plant, complete and forward to Comcare an application for variation to a licence to operate plant.

Section 5: Employer’s notification of compliance with maintenance for plant other than tower cranes

• The notification advising Comcare that the item of plant has been maintained in a safe condition and is safe to operate, must be provided by the employer.
• Enter yes or no to indicate if the employer has carried out the inspections, checks, tests, maintenance and cleaning required for the item of plant.
• Enter yes or no to indicate if the item of plant has been maintained in a safe condition and is safe to operate.
• The notification must be given to Comcare as soon as practicable after the end of the 12 month period to which it relates.

Section 6: Applicant’s statement

• Complete, sign and date the declaration.
• The person who signs the declaration has the responsibility for managing the plant item and is delegated with that responsibility by the Principal Officer / Chief Executive Officer.