Mines and explosives safety and health fee and census

The mines and explosives safety and health fee (the fee) funds the safety and health services provided by the Queensland Government to the mining, quarrying and explosives operations across the state.

The fee is calculated using census data reported by liable entities on the Queensland mining and quarrying industry census form and the Queensland Explosives and fireworks industry census form. These reporting requirements and payment of the fee applies to operations regulated by the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999, the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 and the Explosives Act 1999.

What the fee is used for

The fee funds safety and health services including:

• safety and health inspections and audits
• investigation of mine/quarry and explosives accidents
• provision of safety and health advice
• collection and maintenance of mine employee health records
• dissemination of mining and explosives safety and health standards
• research, development and training in mining and explosives safety and health
• provision of emergency services
• collection and reporting of safety and health statistics.

Census reporting requirements

Mining and quarrying operations

Mines and quarries are required to complete a Queensland mining and quarrying industry census form once onsite operations commence. If you hold a current resource authority but have not yet started operations on site, you are not required to submit a census form.

The requirement to report does not apply to mines operated under a mining tenure that is a prospecting permit or a mining claim.

For more information, download a diagram of the safety and health fee reporting cycle for mines (PDF, 444KB).

Transfer of operator obligations – mining and quarrying operations

If you have taken over as the operator on a mining or quarrying site, you are obliged to ensure you have obtained the worker data from the previous operator so you can complete the census form(s) for the relevant reporting period. The operator at the time the census is due is responsible for submitting worker data for that reporting period.

Explosives and fireworks industries

Certain explosives and fireworks licence holders that are regulated by the Explosives Act 1999 are required to complete the Queensland explosives and fireworks industry census form.

The requirement to report does not apply to holders of authorities listed under section 177A of the Explosives Regulation 2017. If you hold multiple authorities, you are to report only on those authorities relevant.

Interstate companies operating a service in Queensland who hold an authority under the Explosives Act 1999 should only report the workers employed in Queensland.

Keeping records on worker numbers

Operators and licence holders are required by legislation to keep records of safety and health census information for 7 years. Records kept must be sufficient to enable the accuracy of information provided in a safety and health census to be easily verified.

To find more information about your record keeping requirements, you can download the record keeping requirements industry guidelines (PDF, 1.3MB) or see relevant legislation under:

• section 12FC of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017
• section 11DC of the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Regulation 2017
• section 179C of the Explosives Regulation 2017.

Paying the fee

On 1 January 2022 the fee structure changed from a 2-tier fee structure to a 4-tier fee structure to ensure an equitable spread of the regulatory cost burden.

The fee is invoiced quarterly for operators who report more than 5 workers in a quarter.

Entities who report annually will receive an annual invoice.

The fee rates vary according to the number of workers at the operation (see the tables below for details).

Submitting your census form and fee amounts

Census forms are submitted online using the relevant link in the tables below. Instructions for completing the form are provided within the census forms.

Quarterly census forms are due within 20 days of the end of the quarter. Annual census forms are due on 20 July. A late fee applies to submissions received after the due date.

Our fees and charges increase on 1 July each year. On 1 July 2023 our fees and charges were increased by 3.4% in line with Government's indexation policy. You can contact us to find out details about specific fees, charges or prices.

Mining and quarrying industries

Explosives and fireworks industries

Contact us

For more information about the fee, contact:

Safety and Health Fee Unit
Resources Safety and Health Queensland
GPO Box 1321
BRISBANE  QLD  4001

Phone: (07) 3199 8019 or (07) 3199 8014
Office hours: 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Email: safetyandhealthfee@rshq.qld.gov.au