Plant Design Registration
Certain types of high-risk plant must undergo design registration before they can be manufactured, supplied, or used in Australia.
AME works with manufacturers, importers and plant owners to support the plant design registration process, helping ensure compliance with Work Health & Safety (WHS) regulations and relevant Australian Standards.
Our engineers support clients by reviewing documentation, coordinating design verification where required, and assisting with submissions to regulators.
What is Plant Design Registration?
Plant design registration is a regulatory process required under the Model Work Health & Safety Regulations for certain types of high-risk plant.
The purpose of design registration is to ensure that the engineering design of plant equipment has been independently reviewed and verified before the equipment is used in the workplace.
Once approved, the design is issued with a plant design registration number, which allows the equipment to be manufactured, imported or supplied for use.
Did you know?
As part of our Compliance Solutions offering, AME can supply high-quality plant stickers and asset identification signage that clearly display critical information such as Plant Design Registration Numbers, Plant Registration Numbers and Asset Identification Numbers. Under the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2022, displaying an asset’s Design Registration Number on the plant is a regulatory requirement to ensure the equipment can be clearly identified and verified as compliant.
These durable labels help improve visibility, traceability and compliance, allowing site personnel to quickly identify registered plant and verify key compliance information in the field.
When is Design Registration Required?
Design registration is required for certain types of registered plant, typically equipment that presents a higher safety risk.
Examples include:
- Cranes and lifting equipment
- Pressure vessels
- Boilers
- Hoists
- Concrete placing booms
- Amusement devices
- Elevating work platforms
Requirements vary depending on the plant type, configuration and applicable standards.
Our Design Registration Support Services
Our engineers support clients throughout the plant design registration process.
Our services may include:
Engineering Documentation Review
Review of engineering drawings, calculations and specifications prior to submission.
Compliance Assessment
Assessment of plant design against relevant:
- WHS Regulations
- Australian Standards
- industry best practices
Design Verification Coordination
Where required, we can perform or coordinate third-party design verification prior to registration.
Registration Submission Support
Assistance with preparing and submitting plant design registration applications to the relevant regulator.
Plant Types We Commonly Assist With
AME regularly assist clients with the registration of designs for:
- Overhead cranes
- Jib cranes
- Gantry cranes
- Mobile cranes
- Lifting attachments
- Pressure equipment
- Industrial machinery
Plant Design Registration Across Australia
Plant design registration is administered by state and territory regulators under the WHS framework.
Registrations are generally recognised nationally once approved by a regulator such as:
Registerable Plant Registration
In addition to plant design registration, some items of plant must also be registered individually once the equipment is installed or commissioned at a workplace.
Registerable plant registration applies to individual items of plant specified under Schedule 5 of the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations. The purpose of plant registration is to ensure that high-risk equipment has been inspected by a competent person and confirmed to be safe for operation before it is used in the workplace.
Under the WHS framework, the person with management or control of plant must ensure that the equipment is properly maintained, inspected and tested where necessary by a competent person. This helps ensure that the plant continues to operate safely throughout its service life.
Once the plant is registered with the relevant regulator, it is issued with a plant registration number, which allows the item to be legally operated and used at the workplace.
Download our Registerable Plant Registration & Inspection Requirements Guide
Learn more about registration obligations, inspection frequencies and compliance requirements for common types of plant.
Need Help With Plant Design and Plant Registration?
Our engineers can support the engineering and compliance requirements associated with plant design registration.
Contact our team to discuss your plant design registration requirements.