In short
An independent venue audit is a structured review of an operating leisure venue's safety, compliance and operational controls, carried out by someone with no equipment to sell and no supplier relationship to protect. Operators, owners, investors and landlords commission audits to understand where the venue actually stands against regulator expectations, insurer requirements and its own procedures. The output is a practical report with risk-rated findings and a corrective-action plan.
Why an audit pays for itself
Most venues I audit are not disasters. They are honest businesses run by capable people who are stretched thin. Staff turnover, seasonal rushes, new attractions and supplier handovers all erode the systems you had on day one. An audit catches that drift before it becomes an incident, a failed inspection or an insurance problem.
The real return is in what you avoid: regulator action, preventable injuries, premium increases, cancelled events and the operational chaos that follows a serious near miss. Just as important, a good audit gives your team confidence. They know what good looks like, they know somebody independent has checked it, and they know what to fix first.
- Identifies risks before they become incidents or claims.
- Gives insurers and landlords evidence that the venue is actively managed.
- Prioritises corrective actions so you spend money and time where it matters.
- Builds internal competence by showing staff what independent good practice looks like.
What gets examined
The scope is tailored to the venue, but a thorough audit covers the things that actually hurt people and the things regulators ask about first.
What gets examined overlaps closely with the systems side of the work, which is at /services/compliance-systems, and with the guide at /guides/safety-and-compliance. If you are still deciding whether the venue is worth the investment at all, /guides/is-it-worth-it is the honest version of that answer, and /perth explains how this works in Paul's home state.
- Equipment and the physical environment: condition, layout, wear, maintenance records, access for checks and whether the environment matches the operating procedures.
- Supervision ratios and patron flow: whether staffing levels, zoning and signage match the real demand and risk profile of each attraction.
- Staff competency and induction: training records, currency of certifications, briefings, shadowing and how new starters are brought up to speed.
- Documentation and record keeping: inspections, incidents, maintenance, risk assessments, safe work method statements and how easily records can be produced.
- Emergency and incident procedures: first aid, evacuation, communication, reporting, investigation and how recently the team has practised the plan.
- Contractor and supplier arrangements: how cleaners, maintenance crews, installers and event operators are inducted, supervised and held accountable.
- Compliance position: how the venue measures up against the relevant state or territory regulator's expectations, including amusement device registration, inspection and log book requirements where they apply.
Independent audit versus a supplier inspection
A free supplier inspection has value. The person who built or maintains the equipment knows it well and can spot mechanical issues quickly. But that person also has something to sell: parts, upgrades, maintenance contracts or a friendly relationship they want to keep. That is not a criticism. It is a structural conflict, and it matters when the finding could cost the supplier money or reputation.
An independent audit has no equipment to sell, no maintenance contract to renew and no commission on replacements. I look at the whole operation, not just the kit. I can ask awkward questions, compare what different suppliers have told you, and give you a view that is tied to your risk and compliance position, not to the next invoice. Your supplier should inspect their own equipment. They should not be the only voice telling you whether your venue is safe.
How Paul runs an audit and what you receive
Every engagement starts with a short scoping call. I want to understand the venue type, size, state, recent incidents, insurer deadlines and what prompted the audit. From there I agree a day or days on site, the records I need in advance, and who I will interview.
On site I observe operations, walk the attractions, speak with staff and managers, sample records and look for the gap between what the procedure says and what happens at 11am on a Saturday. Back at my desk I write a clear, risk-rated report with findings, evidence, recommended actions, suggested owners and a practical timeline. If you need me to present it to your board, insurer or landlord, I can do that. If you need help implementing the actions, that is a separate piece of work and we will scope it honestly.
- Scoping call to agree scope, timing and records.
- On-site observation, interviews, record review and equipment walk.
- Written report with risk ratings, evidence, actions, owners and timelines.
- Optional presentation or implementation support.
What the audit is measured against
The benchmark is not my opinion. It is the relevant work health and safety law in your state or territory, the regulator's published guidance for amusement devices, applicable Australian Standards, your own policies and the industry's accepted operating practice. Where something needs engineering certification, legal interpretation or formal plant registration, I will say so and point you to the right specialist. I do not sign off on plant or pretend to be an engineer.
- State and territory WHS/OH&S legislation and regulator guidance for amusement devices.
- Safe Work Australia's Guide for amusement devices, where it applies to the jurisdiction.
- Australian Standards by number and title where publicly confirmed, such as AS 5159.1 Trampoline park facilities and, where relevant, AS 5159.2 on dismount pits.
- The venue's own policies, procedures, maintenance schedules and supplier documentation.
When to commission an audit
Some operators book an audit every year as part of normal governance. Others call me after a near miss, a complaint, an insurance renewal, a new attraction install, a change of manager, or because they simply do not know what they do not know. All of those are valid reasons. The worst time to find a serious gap is when a regulator or plaintiff's lawyer finds it for you.
- Routine governance or board reporting.
- Before insurance renewal or after a premium increase.
- Following a serious incident, near miss or complaint.
- After installing new equipment, changing layout or relaunching an attraction.
- When ownership, management or key staff change.
- When you suspect your current inspection arrangement is not independent enough.
An honest next step
I am based in Perth and I work Australia wide. If you run a trampoline park, climbing centre, ninja course, high ropes, play centre or similar attraction and you want an independent view of where things stand, send me a message or book a call. We will agree the scope first, I will give you a clear proposal, and you can decide whether to proceed. No pressure, no equipment catalogue, no upsell. Just an honest operator's view of your venue.
Questions operators ask
How often should a venue be audited?
Many operators commission an independent audit annually as part of their governance rhythm, and again after a major change such as a new attraction, a serious incident, an insurance renewal or a change of manager. The right frequency depends on the venue's size, risk profile and what your insurer or regulator expects.
Does an audit replace a regulator inspection?
No. An independent audit is a private review that helps you understand and improve your position. It does not replace a visit from your state or territory regulator, and it does not create any official approval or certification. If a regulator attends, they will apply the law directly.
What happens if you find something serious?
I flag it in the report with a high risk rating, explain why it matters, and recommend immediate action. If the issue poses an imminent risk to people, I will tell you that on the day and expect you to deal with it before trading continues. The report belongs to you; what you do with it is your decision.
Will the venue have to close?
Not usually. Most findings can be fixed while trading continues, often with simple changes to supervision, signage, record keeping or maintenance scheduling. If I identify an imminent risk, I will recommend stopping that attraction or activity until it is made safe, but that is rare and the decision sits with you.
Do you audit venues interstate?
Yes. I am based in Perth and work across Australia. Each state and territory has its own regulator and slightly different expectations, so the audit is always framed against the jurisdiction that applies to your venue.
What does an audit cost?
Cost is scoped per engagement. It depends on venue size, number of attractions, location, records quality and what you need the report to cover. I will give you a clear written proposal after the scoping call and no obligation to proceed.
Will you recommend a particular equipment supplier?
No. I am independent and have no equipment to sell, no supplier commissions and no preferred manufacturer. That independence is the point. If you need procurement advice, I can help you evaluate options against your operational requirements, but I will not steer you toward a particular brand.
Can you help us fix the issues you find?
Yes, as a separate scoped engagement. The audit report will give you a clear action plan, and if you want hands-on help with implementation, compliance systems, training or operational design, we can agree that next. I keep the audit and the implementation as distinct pieces of work so the audit stays independent.
Sources
- WorkSafe WA, Amusement devices: A guide for local government. https://www.worksafe.wa.gov.au/amusement-devices-guide-local-government
- Safe Work Australia, Guide for amusement devices. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/guide-amusement-devices
- SafeWork NSW, Amusement devices. https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/resource-library/amusement-devices
- WorkSafe Queensland, Amusement devices Code of Practice 2023. https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/codes-of-practice/amusement-devices-code-of-practice-2023
- SafeWork SA, Amusement devices. https://safework.sa.gov.au/industry/recreation-and-events/amusement-devices
- Standards Australia, AS 5159.1 Trampoline park facilities. https://www.standards.org.au/news/new-standard-to-help-minimise-risks-at-trampoline-parks