Minimum Training Requirements

All site technicians must complete the following five OH&S courses before being assigned to any restoration project. These courses are delivered by CARSI (Cleaning and Restoration Skills Institute), the industry-recognised training provider for restoration professionals in Australia.

In addition to the five OH&S courses above, all technicians must complete asbestos awareness training before working on any property built before 1990.

Why this is mandatory: Asbestos was used extensively in Australian building materials until the late 1980s. Any property built before 1990 may contain asbestos in wall sheeting, insulation, flooring, roofing, and pipe lagging. Disturbing asbestos-containing materials without proper training is illegal under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and can cause fatal diseases including mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Disaster recovery work — particularly water damage, fire damage, and demolition — frequently involves disturbing building materials. Every technician must be able to identify potential asbestos-containing materials and follow correct procedures before any invasive work begins.

These training requirements are not optional guidelines — they are mandatory prerequisites enforced across our entire network. Here is why:

• Australian WHS legislation compliance — The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and corresponding state regulations require all workers to be trained in workplace safety relevant to their duties. Non-compliance exposes both the contractor and the property owner to legal liability.
• Duty of care to property owners and workers — Restoration sites involve contaminated water, hazardous chemicals, structural instability, electrical risks, and biological hazards. Untrained workers on these sites endanger themselves, occupants, and neighbouring properties.
• Insurance requirements for certified work — Major insurers require restoration to be performed by appropriately trained and certified professionals. Work performed by untrained contractors may void the property owner's claim or result in disputes during the claims process.
• IICRC and industry standards alignment — The IICRC restoration standards (S500, S520, S540) reference OH&S competency as a prerequisite for all restoration work. These training courses ensure our technicians meet the baseline safety knowledge required by international restoration standards.

The courses listed above are the minimum entry requirements for all technicians. Depending on their specialisation, technicians may also hold:

• IICRC certification — Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician (FSRT), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), and other specialist credentials. Learn about IICRC certification.
• WorkSafe licences — State-specific licences for high-risk work including confined spaces, working at heights, and asbestos removal. WorkSafe requirements.
• Specialist certifications — HAZMAT handling credentials for hazardous materials work, and Class A or Class B asbestos removal licences for licensed removal work. HAZMAT certification | Asbestos licensing.

View all certifications and standards →