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Principals or preschool directors must ensure that staff are adequately trained to meet their site’s health and safety requirements (staff login required). Teachers starting employment in a Department for Education site must have an approved first aid certificate. First aid requirements for current permanent staff are managed by the site leader.
Employable (temporary) teachers seeking employment
The department accepts any of the following certificates from employable (temporary) teachers seeking employment.
Provide basic emergency life support (HLTAID010)
This course was previously known as ‘Provide basic emergency life support (HLTAID002)'.
This course is accepted by the department as the minimum first aid training requirement for teacher employment. Any nationally recognised provider approved by the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training to deliver the required first aid training can be used by department worksites, school and preschools. You can search for approved training providers on the training.gov.au website.
While it is not a stipulation, the Australian Resuscitation Council recommends that the CPR component of all first aid courses needs to be revisited every year.
Alternative training options below should also be considered depending on the type of role you are seeking.
Provide first aid in an education and care setting (HLTAID012)
This course was previously known as ‘Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting (HLTAID004)'.
This course is the best option for teachers seeking employment in an early childhood program. It satisfies the requirements for asthma and anaphylaxis management and may increase employment options.
As an alternative, if you have already completed 'provide first aid (HLTAID011)' training, you can complete additional anaphylaxis and asthma training.
This will make up the recommended training for a teacher in an early childhood program. You can search for approved training providers on the training.gov.au website.
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teacher employment requirements
Employable (temporary) ancillary workers and support staff seeking employment
A first aid qualification is not required to be employed as an ancillary worker in the department.
Early childhood regulations
The department strongly recommends that temporary Early Childhood Workers (ECWs) or School Services Officers (SSOs) seeking employment in an early childhood program consider gaining the 'provide first aid in an education and care setting (HLTAID012)' training to improve their employment opportunities.
As an alternative, if you have already completed 'provide first aid (HLTAID011)' training, you can complete additional anaphylaxis and asthma training. This will make up the recommended training required in early childhood programs.
