Certificate of Competence
About IRAANZ Certificates of Competence Cards
All NZQA-qualified rope access operators and technicians are able to obtain an IRAANZ Certificate of Competence (CoC) card which identifies their current proficiency to work in New Zealand. Refer to Worksafe NZ’s Best Practice Guidelines for Industrial Rope Access and AS/NZS ISO 22846.2:2000.
Additionally, rope access operators with internationally recognised qualifications (eg. IRATA) may also be able to obtain an IRAANZ Certificate of Competence without having to complete the entire NZQA qualification. A practical assessment and some key NZQA unit standards must be completed as part of the prerequisite to cover New Zealand Health and Safety policy and legislation that cannot be obtained internationally.
IRAANZ has three (3) levels of Competence cards:
- Entry Level (under supervision) – considered a “Basic Operative” as per AS/NZS ISO 22846.2:2000.
Key features:
- Entry Level CoC practical skills assessment
- Valid for three (3) years
- Level 3 – considered an “Intermediate Operative” as per AS/NZS ISO 22846.2:2000.
Key features:
- NZQA NZ Cert Level 3 **
- Level 3 CoC practical skills assessment
- Min 150 logged rope access hours
- Valid for three (3) years
** or IRATA Level 2 plus:
- NZQA 15757 Fall Arrest
- NZQA 6400-6402 First Aid
- Level 4 – considered an “Advanced Operative” as per AS/NZS ISO 22846.2:2000.
Key features:
- NZQA NZ Cert Level 4 **
- Level 4 CoC practical skills assessment
- Min 150 logged rope access hours
- Valid for three (3) years
** or IRATA Level 3 plus:
- NZQA 15757 Fall Arrest
- NZQA 6400-6402 First Aid
IRAANZ CoC cards and can be easily obtained and renewed by contacting an approved IRAANZ CoC Assessor. The process for all CoC applications, both new and renewals, is shown on the CoC application form
If you have any questions about the CoC process, please don’t hesitate to email the IRAANZ office at info@iraanz.co.nz or call one of the IRAANZ executive committee.
If an IRAANZ CoC card is lost or stolen, these may be reissued at a cost of $75. Please email the IRAANZ office at info@iraanz.co.nz to arrange replacement cards.
An IRAANZ CoC card may be revoked if the conduct of the holder is deemed to be contrary to the values of the association. Any acts of poor practice, misconduct or complaints that are deemed to be of sufficient severity to consider revoking the card will be investigated by a panel of three members from the IRAANZ Executive Committee.
How to obtain a new IRAANZ CoC card: Entry Level
- · The applicant must pass the CoC Rope Access Entry Level practical skills assessment **
- CoC can only be assessed by a current IRAANZ CoC Assessor
- Provide passport size photo
- Include payment of $75 (which includes the cost of a new IRAANZ CoC card, IRAANZ log book and 3 years’ IRAANZ affiliate membership)
- Expires after 3 years
- Note:
- Student does not require any hours logged
- Student does not require or gain any NZQA unit standards
- Holder of Entry Level card is required to work “under supervision” at all times
How to renew your IRAANZ CoC card: Entry Level
- The applicant must pass the CoC Rope Access Entry Level practical skills assessment *
- CoC can only be assessed by a current IRAANZ CoC Assessor
- Provide passport size photo
- Include payment of $75 (which includes the cost of a new IRAANZ CoC card, IRAANZ log book and 3 years’ IRAANZ affiliate membership)
- Expires after 3 years
- Note:
- Student does not require any hours logged
- Student does not require or gain any NZQA unit standards
- Holder of Entry Level card is required to work “under supervision” at all times
* All practical re-assessments must be conducted by an NZQA accredited training provider authorised to deliver the New Zealand Certificate in Rope Access and approved by IRAANZ to deliver the CoC challenge assessments. Cost is TBA by the training provider. If refresher training is required, this can also be arranged with the approved IRAANZ training provider. Cost is TBA by the training provider. NZQA-accredited training providers are listed here.
How to obtain a new IRAANZ CoC card: Level 3 Rope Access Operator
There are two options to obtaining an IRAANZ CoC for Level 3 Rope Access Operators:
Option A: NZQA New Zealand Certificate in Rope Access – Level 3
Prerequisite
- NZQA New Zealand Certificate in Rope Access Level 3 (this includes NZQA unit standards on Fall Arrest and First Aid)*
Application process
- Unless a recent graduate (within 3 months) the applicant must pass CoC Rope Access Level 3 practical skills assessment*
- Complete application form for IRAANZ CoC
- Evidence of a minimum 150 hours logged in the last year.
- Provide copy of New Zealand Certificate in Rope Access Level 3*
- Provide passport size photo
- Include payment of $75 (which includes the cost of a new IRAANZ CoC card, IRAANZ log book and 3 years’ IRAANZ affiliate membership)
- Expires after 3 years
Option B: Recognised International qualifications
Prerequisite
- Current IRATA Level 2, ARAA Level 2 or equivalent
- NZQA unit standard 15 757 (Fall Arrest)
- NZQA unit standards 6400-6402 (First Aid)
Note: IRAANZ reserves the right to accept or decline international qualifications as it deems appropriate.
Application process
- The applicant must pass CoC Rope Access Level 3 practical skills assessment*
- Complete the application form for IRAANZ CoC
- Evidence of a minimum of 150 hours logged in the last year
- Provide copy of current or expired IRAANZ CoC card
- Provide new passport size photo
- Include payment of $75 (which includes cost of a renewed IRAANZ CoC card, IRAANZ log book and three year’s IRAANZ associate membership)
- Expires after 3 years
How to renew your IRAANZ CoC card: Level 3 Rope Access Operator
Since both New Zealand and internationally qualified applicants will already hold an IRAANZ CoC card, the process to renew the card is identical for both categories of individuals.
Prerequisite
- Current IRAANZ Certificate of Competence card for a Level 3 Rope Access Operator
Application process
- The applicant must pass CoC Rope Access Level 3 practical skills assessment*
- Complete the application form for IRAANZ CoC
- Provide copy of current or expired IRAANZ CoC card
- Provide new passport size photo
- Include payment of $75 (which includes cost of a renewed IRAANZ CoC card, IRAANZ log book and three year’s IRAANZ associate membership)
- Expires after 3 years
* All practical re-assessments must be conducted by an NZQA accredited training provider authorised to deliver the New Zealand Certificate in Rope Access and approved by IRAANZ to deliver the CoC challenge assessments. Cost is TBA by the training provider. If refresher training is required, this can also be arranged with the approved IRAANZ training provider. Cost is TBA by the training provider.
How to obtain a new IRAANZ CoC card: Level 4 Rope Access Technician
There are two options to obtaining an IRAANZ CoC for Level 4 Rope Access Technician:
Option A: NZQA New Zealand Certificate in Rope Access – Level 4
Prerequisite
- NZQA New Zealand Certificate in Rope Access Level 4 (this includes NZQA unit standards on Fall Arrest and First Aid)*
Application process
- Unless a recent graduate (within 3 months) the applicant must pass CoC Rope Access Level 4 practical skills assessment*
- Complete application form for IRAANZ CoC
- Evidence of a minimum of 150 hours logged in the last year.
- Provide copy of New Zealand Certificate in Rope Access Level 4*
- Provide passport size photo
- Include payment of $75 (which includes the cost of a new IRAANZ CoC card, IRAANZ log book and 3 years’ IRAANZ affiliate membership)
- Expires in 3 years
Option B: Recognised international qualifications
Prerequisite
- Current IRATA Level 3, ARAA Level 3 or equivalent
- NZQA unit standard 15 757 (Fall Arrest)
- NZQA unit standards 6400-6402 (First Aid)
Note: IRAANZ reserves the right to accept / decline international qualifications as it deems appropriate.
Application process
- The applicant must pass CoC Rope Access Level 3 practical skills assessment*
- The applicant must pass a re-assessment of the New Zealand Certificate in Rope Access Level 4 practical challenge*
- Complete application form for IRAANZ CoC
- Evidence of a minimum of 150 hours logged in the last year
- Provide copy of current IRATA Level 3, ARAA Level 3 qualification or equivalent
- Provide passport size photo
- Include payment of $75 (which includes the cost of a new IRAANZ CoC card, IRAANZ log book and 3 years’ IRAANZ affiliate membership)
- Expires in 3 years
How to renew your IRAANZ CoC card: Level 4 Rope Access Operator
Since both NZ and internationally qualified applicants will already hold an IRAANZ CoC card, the process to renew the card is identical for both categories of individuals.
Prerequisite
- Current IRAANZ Certificate of Competence card for a Level 4 Rope Access Technician
Application process
- Pass a re-assessment of the New Zealand Certificate in Rope Access Level 4 practical challenge.* Please provide proof.
- Complete the application form for IRAANZ CoC
- Provide a copy of current or expired IRAANZ CoC card
- Provide new passport size photo
- Include payment of $75 (which includes cost of a renewed IRAANZ CoC card, IRAANZ log book and 3 year’s IRAANZ associate membership)
- Expires in 3 years
* All practical re-assessments must be conducted by an NZQA accredited training provider authorised to deliver the New Zealand Certificate in Rope Access and approved by IRAANZ to deliver the CoC challenge assessments. Cost is TBA by the training provider. If refresher training is required, this can also be arranged with the approved IRAANZ training provider. Cost is TBA by the training provider.
Fully Endorsed Assessors for the Challenge Assessment
Fully endorsed Level 3 & 4 assessors:
- Doug Carson ols@xtra.co.nz
- Troy Twomey Troy@elitetraining.co.nz
- Paul Searle Paul.Searle@goleman.co.nz
- Russell Hodgson russell@peaksafety.co.nz
- Thomas Croft thomas@phase-1.co.nz
- Jason Tweedie jasontwd@gmail.com
- Andrew Nolan andrew.nolan@vhnz.co.nz
Fully endorsed Level 3 only assessors:
- Richard Munyard Richard.Munyard@vhnz.co.nz