HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid is a nationally recognised unit of competency from the HLT Health Training Package. It covers the skills and knowledge needed to provide a first aid response in line with the guidelines of the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC), and applies to anyone who may need to give first aid at work or in the community.
It supersedes, but is not equivalent to HLTAID003 - Provide first aid as of October 15th 2020.
Who develops the unit
The HLT Health Training Package is maintained by HumanAbility, the Jobs and Skills Council for the care and support economy, which covers health, aged and disability services, children's education and care, human services, and sport and recreation. Jobs and Skills Councils are funded by the Australian Government and work with industry to develop and update vocational training products.
HumanAbility took over this role in 2023, when Jobs and Skills Councils replaced the former Industry Reference Committees and Skills Service Organisations, such as SkillsIQ. Training packages are endorsed by Commonwealth, state and territory Skills Ministers, and the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) regulates the registered training organisations (RTOs) that deliver them.
Why complete this unit of competency
HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid is the first aid unit most Australian workplaces ask for, and it is included in many nationally recognised qualifications. You can view the qualifications that use it on the HLTAID011 page on training.gov.au.
Australian employers must provide their workers with access to first aid equipment and trained first aiders. The First aid in the workplace Code of Practice recommends at least 1 trained first aider for every 50 workers in a low risk workplace such as an office, 1 for every 25 workers in a high risk workplace such as a construction site, and 1 for every 10 workers in a remote high risk workplace such as a mine. See our guide to how many first aiders a Queensland workplace needs.
As a result, certified first aiders are valuable to employers and you could be asked to complete the training by your existing employer, or it could improve your employment prospects when looking for work.
What the unit covers
To be assessed as competent, you must show you can manage the following, in line with ARC guidelines:
- CPR on an adult and an infant, each for at least 2 minutes without interruption
- Using a defibrillator (AED) to deliver a shock
- An unconscious casualty who is breathing
- Anaphylaxis and asthma
- Bleeding, minor wounds and nosebleeds
- Choking
- Fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains
- Snake and spider bites, using pressure immobilisation
- Shock
- A simulated first aid incident, including a verbal and written incident report
You'll also learn about other conditions and injuries, including burns, chest pain, diabetes, drowning, eye injuries, head, neck and spinal injuries, heat and cold emergencies, poisoning, seizures and stroke.
How to complete the training
The training is delivered by registered training organisations (RTOs). Course participants that successfully complete the training will be issued with a Statement of Attainment for HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, HLTAID010 Provide basic emergency life support and HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The unit itself does not expire, but refresher training is required to keep your skills current. The First aid in the workplace Code of Practice recommends renewing your first aid qualification every 3 years and refreshing CPR (HLTAID009) every 12 months. Read more about how long a first aid certificate lasts.
Completing the course with First Aid Today
First Aid Today (RTO number 45555) delivers training for HLTAID011 - Provide first aid at 3 locations in South-East Queensland: Brisbane Northside (Aspley), Brisbane Southside (Rocklea) and on the Gold Coast (Ashmore). You complete a short online module at your own pace, then attend a 3.5-hour practical session. The course costs $99.
Book a First Aid course in Brisbane or a First Aid course on the Gold Coast. Not sure which course you need? Compare HLTAID009 vs HLTAID011 vs HLTAID012.
Training pre-requisites
There are no enrolment pre-requisites. You can sign up for the training regardless of previous academic achievements or work experience. To complete the assessment, you'll need to be able to kneel on the floor and perform 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on a manikin.
As with any Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, you are required to submit your Unique Student Identifier (USI) to enrol for the training. USIs can be created for free using the Government USI portal.
