Keeping up with compliance training is essential for any Australian business. It helps protect employees, ensures legal obligations are met, and creates a safer, more inclusive workplace.
Compliance training requirements differs between businesses – the industry and locations your business are based in will invariably impact how you need to train your team and which skills are required. But business-specific education aside, what are the essential courses that everyone in the workforce should complete?
At Xemplo, we believe there’s a core skillset that all workers need to know to work in any business in Australia, and that your compliance training program should ensure that everyone can be a safe and productive member of the team. For this article, we reached out to Kineo, leading e-Learning content provider and Xemplo partner, for insights into their most popular compliance training courses (leveraged by businesses across multiple regions from their extensive library over 150 training options targeting different industries and locations).
These reflect the subject matter that most businesses generally include in their compliance training program so that their entire workforce understands both baseline obligations and how to safely contribute at work:
- Bullying and Harassment
- Health and Safety in the Workplace
- Fire Awareness and Extinguisher Training
- Manual Tasks for Workers
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- General Evacuation Training
- Information and Cyber-Security
- Privacy and the Workplace
- Health and Safety Duties for Workers
- Alcohol and Other Drugs
Let’s explore each of the above in more detail...
Bullying & Harassment
No one wants to work in a toxic environment and bullying or harassment can have serious consequences for individuals and organisations alike. This training course helps employees recognise what constitutes bullying and harassment, understand its impact, and know how to report and handle complaints properly.
Key learning outcomes:
- Identifying bullying and harassment behaviours
- Understanding how they affect individuals and the organisation
- Learning how to report and respond to incidents effectively
In the Xemplo library, you’ll find the following course options for managing Bullying and Harassment compliance training:
- Xemplo’s Dealing with Workplace Bullying course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Fair Work Australia’s Workplace Sexual Harassment course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Kineo’s Bullying and Harassment for Employees (paid course available in all Xemplo subscriptions)
Health & Safety in the Workplace
A safe workplace isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s crucial for employee well-being. This module provides an overview of workplace hazards, safety procedures, and how to respond to incidents.
Key learning outcomes:
- Spotting workplace hazards and risks
- Following safety procedures to prevent accidents
- Responding to workplace emergencies
In the Xemplo library, you’ll find the following course options for managing Workplace Health and Safety compliance training:
- Xemplo’s Work Health and Safety for Workers course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Hazardous Chemicals course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Managing the Risks of Working in Heat course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Manual/Site/Outdoor Workers – Workplace Safety course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Professional Induction – Workplace Safety course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Kineo’s library of Workplace Health and Safety courses for multiple regions and industries (paid courses available in all Xemplo subscriptions)
Fire Awareness & Extinguisher Training
Fires can escalate quickly, so employees must know what to do in an emergency. This module covers fire prevention, evacuation procedures, and how to use a fire extinguisher correctly.
Key learning outcomes:
- Identifying fire hazards
- Knowing evacuation routes and procedures
- Using fire extinguishers safely
In the Xemplo library, you’ll find the following course options for managing Fire Awareness and Extinguisher compliance training:
- Kineo’s Fire Awareness and Extinguisher Training course (paid course available in all Xemplo subscriptions)
Manual Tasks for Workers
Poor manual handling is a leading cause of workplace injuries. This training course teaches employees how to move, lift, and carry objects safely to prevent strain and injury.
Key learning outcomes:
- Understanding the risks of manual tasks
- Using correct lifting and handling techniques
- Reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries
In the Xemplo library, you’ll find the following course options for managing Manual Handling compliance training:
- Xemplo’s Hazardous Manual Tasks course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Managing the Risks of Working in Heat course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Kineo’s library of Workplace Health and Safety courses for multiple regions and industries (paid courses available in all Xemplo subscriptions)
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
Discrimination and unfair treatment have no place in the workplace. EEO training helps employees understand their rights and responsibilities, ensuring everyone is treated fairly and equitably.
Key learning outcomes:
- Understanding anti-discrimination laws and policies
- Recognising and preventing workplace discrimination
- Promoting diversity and inclusion
In the Xemplo library, you’ll find the following course options for managing leadership and EEO compliance training:
- Fair Work Australia’s Managing Employees course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Kineo’s Equal Employment Opportunity for Employees course (paid course available in all Xemplo subscriptions)
General Evacuation Training
If an emergency strikes, everyone needs to know what to do. This module covers evacuation plans, assembly points, and the roles people play in ensuring a smooth evacuation.
Key learning outcomes:
- Recognising alarms and evacuation signals
- Knowing where to go during an evacuation
- Understanding roles and responsibilities in emergencies
In the Xemplo library, you’ll find the following course options for managing general evacuation compliance training:
- Xemplo’s Manual/Site/Outdoor Workers – Workplace Safety course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Professional Induction – Workplace Safety course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Kineo’s General Evacuation Training course (paid course available in all Xemplo subscriptions)
Information & Cyber-Security
With cyber threats on the rise, every employee plays a role in protecting company data. This module teaches staff how to spot risks like phishing and malware, and how to follow best practices to keep information secure.
Key learning outcomes:
- Recognising cyber threats like phishing and malware
- Using strong passwords and security measures
- Understanding data protection best practices
In the Xemplo library, you’ll find the following course options for managing Information and Cyber-Security compliance training:
- AWS’s Cybersecurity Awareness course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Kineo’s Information and Cyber-Security course (paid course available in all Xemplo subscriptions)
Privacy & the Workplace
Handling personal and sensitive information comes with legal responsibilities. This training course ensures employees know how to manage data correctly and comply with privacy laws.
Key learning outcomes:
- Understanding privacy regulations
- Safeguarding sensitive information
- Responding appropriately to data breaches
In the Xemplo library, you’ll find the following materials for managing workplace privacy compliance training:
- Kineo’s Privacy and the Workplace course (paid course available in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s free Workplace Privacy Policy document (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
Health & Safety Duties for Workers
While workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility, different roles entail different duties. This module outlines specific responsibilities under health and safety laws to ensure a proactive safety culture.
Key learning outcomes:
- Understanding individual health and safety obligations
- Working with employers to maintain a safe workplace
- Reporting hazards and incidents correctly
In the Xemplo library, you’ll find the following course options for managing Workplace Health and Safety compliance training:
- Xemplo’s Work Health and Safety for Workers course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Manual/Site/Outdoor Workers – Workplace Safety course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Professional Induction – Workplace Safety course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Manual/Site/Outdoor Workers – Confined Spaces course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Professional Induction – Stretches, movement and exercise course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Manual/Site/Outdoor Workers – Identifying Hazards course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Professional Induction – Identifying Hazards course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Manual/Site/Outdoor Workers – Site Setup and Safety course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Xemplo’s Professional Induction – Office Setup and Safety course (free to use in all Xemplo subscriptions)
- Kineo’s library of Workplace Health and Safety courses for multiple regions and industries (paid courses available in all Xemplo subscriptions)
Alcohol & Other Drugs
Substance misuse in the workplace can impact safety, productivity, and well-being. This training modulehelps employees understand workplace policies, recognise risks, and know how to handle concerns about substance use.
Key learning outcomes:
- Understanding the effects of alcohol and drug use at work
- Recognising signs of impairment
- Knowing workplace policies and procedures around substance use
In the Xemplo library, you’ll find the following course for managing alcohol and drugs compliance training:
- Xemplo’s Alcohol and Other Drugs course (free to use for UK Xemplo subscribers only)
- Kineo’s Alcohol and Other Drugs course (paid course available in all Xemplo subscriptions)
Do the minimum for maximum results
Addressing the minimum compliance requirements in your training program helps ensure your business stays compliant while fostering a positive workplace culture. Above and beyond the minimum requirements, you can then overlay business-specific training requirements to ensure all bases are covered for your team – no matter what they do and where they work.
It's worth reiterating that Xemplo regularly adds free and premium training content for customers to use as part of their subscription. Find a full list of all training content featured in the Xemplo library here.
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