OHS Certification Journey

Certification Journey

Initial Certification Process

At AAA Certification Services (AAAcs), the initial certification process for ISO 45001:2018 involves two mandatory audit stages:

Stage 1 Audit – Readiness Review and that through:

  • Evaluate your site-specific conditions and operational environment
  • Review the documented management system
  • Assess your organisation’s preparedness for the Stage 2 audit
  • Identify any potential gaps that may hinder successful certification
  • Confirm the scope of certification and logistics for the full audit

This stage also allows our audit team to understand your operations and key risks and ensure that your internal audits and management review have been conducted.

Stage 2 Audit—Certification Assessment involves evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of your Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS).
During this stage, our auditors will verify that:

  • Your OHSMS is fully implemented and operational
  • Control measures and compliance obligations are being effectively managed
  • Processes and procedures are aligned with the ISO 45001:2018 standard
  • Records demonstrate consistent performance and continual improvement

To achieve certification, your organisation must demonstrate that the system is effectively functioning, that management commitment is evident, and that key control mechanisms are in place and maintained.

Certification Journey

Formal Cetification Process

Once Stage 1 and 2 audits are completed, AAA Certification Services (AAAcs) will initiate the formal certification process. If a positive certification decision is made, we will issue an accredited certificate confirming your compliance with the relevant standard (e.g., ISO 45001:2018).

Your certification will be valid for three (3) years from the issue date. It is maintained through a structured annual surveillance audit program, and a recertification audit is required at the end of the three-year cycle to ensure continued compliance and system effectiveness. AAAcs ensures that your certification remains current, credible, and aligned with international standards throughout the entire certification cycle.

Certification Journey

Submit Your Application

To begin your certification journey, complete the AAAcs Certification Application Form. This allows us to understand your organisation's specific requirements, including:

  • Business operations and sector
  • Desired certification standard(s)
  • Scope of certification
  • Sites and locations involved

Once received, our expert team will review your application to evaluate its scope, applicable criteria, and audit requirements. We will issue a formal certification proposal and agreement based on this assessment.

At AAA Certification Services (AAAcs), we pride ourselves on transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Our proposals clearly outline all certification costs so you can confidently move forward.

OHS

Frequently Asked Questions

The purpose of an OHS audit is to assess whether your organisation’s safety systems comply with relevant WHS legislation and standards such as ISO 45001. It helps identify gaps, evaluate the effectiveness of your safety controls, and provide recommendations for improvement.

The audit involves reviewing documents, inspecting the physical workplace, interviewing staff, and assessing processes such as hazard identification, risk management, incident reporting, and emergency preparedness. We tailor the audit scope to your business needs.

The duration depends on your organisation's size and complexity. A small business might take a few hours, while a large facility or multi-site organisation may require several days. We’ll provide an estimated schedule during the planning stage.

We conduct audits against WHS legislation, Codes of Practice, and international standards such as ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems). We can also assess compliance with your internal policies or client-specific requirements.

We’ll document any non-conformities in the audit report along with suggested corrective actions if we identify them. We also offer support to help you close these gaps and improve your overall safety performance.

We aim to minimise disruption by scheduling around your operations and maintaining clear communication. Auditors will observe and ask questions respectfully without interfering with work tasks.

Key personnel such as WHS officers, managers, supervisors, and workers should be available for interviews and site walk-throughs. Having access to documents and key areas of the workplace is also important.

Typical documents include:


  • WHS policies and procedures
  • Risk assessments and SWMS
  • Incident and injury records
  • Emergency plans
  • Training records
  • Maintenance

Before the audit, we’ll send a checklist, so you know exactly what’s needed.

It can be! We offer both internal audits for compliance improvement and external audits for ISO 45001 certification. Let us know your goals, and we’ll align the audit accordingly.

We provide post-audit support, including guidance on implementing corrective actions and system improvements and preparing for re-audits or certification if needed.

Yes. All information obtained during the audit is treated with strict confidentiality and used only for audit and improvement purposes.