Workplace Safety Alert: Employers Urged to Verify Qualifications

Recent reports of fraudulent qualification certificates being sold to workers have prompted a strong warning from WorkSafe Victoria about the potential risks to workplace safety. Fake qualifications can create serious hazards when workers are performing high-risk tasks, such as first aid, traffic management, or working at heights, without the necessary skills, training, or experience.

The warning follows the arrest of a Victorian man who has been charged with multiple counts of allegedly producing false workplace education qualifications. WorkSafe is working closely with Victoria Police and other authorities to investigate the matter and identify anyone who may have obtained fraudulent credentials.

WorkSafe has reminded employers of their legal obligation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 to ensure workers are appropriately trained and competent for the tasks they perform. Importantly, employers should not rely solely on certificates or qualifications as proof of competency. Instead, qualifications should be verified, and workers’ knowledge, skills, and practical experience assessed to ensure they can carry out their duties safely.

This incident serves as a timely reminder for all organisations to review their qualification verification processes and ensure that workplace safety is never compromised by unverified credentials.

Article summarised from OHS alert 16 October 2026