The difference between HLTAID011 Provide First Aid and HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) comes down to how much each unit covers. HLTAID011 includes CPR as well as first aid for injuries and illnesses such as bleeding, fractures, asthma and anaphylaxis, which makes it the standard unit for workplace first aiders. HLTAID009 covers CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) only, so it suits a yearly CPR refresher or a role that requires nothing beyond CPR.
What is the difference between HLTAID011 and HLTAID009?
HLTAID011 covers the same CPR skills as HLTAID009 and then adds the rest of first aid. According to training.gov.au, both units set the same CPR assessment, which requires at least 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on an adult manikin on the floor, at least 2 minutes on an infant manikin, and following an AED's prompts to deliver a shock.
Alongside CPR and AED use, HLTAID009 also covers the recovery position for someone who is unconscious but breathing, as well as calling Triple Zero (000) and handing over to emergency services.
HLTAID011 adds hands-on practice in managing:
- anaphylaxis and asthma
- bleeding, minor wounds and nosebleeds
- choking
- fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains
- bites that need a pressure immobilisation bandage, such as snake bite
- shock
You will also learn to recognise and manage conditions such as burns, seizures, stroke and diabetic emergencies, and you will complete a written incident report.
Which unit does a workplace first aider need?
Workplace first aiders need HLTAID011. Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice states that first aiders should, as a minimum, hold a Statement of Attainment for the nationally endorsed unit Provide First Aid, or a course with equivalent skills.
That code is written for the states and territories operating under the model work health and safety (WHS) laws, whereas Victoria operates under its own Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, with WorkSafe Victoria's compliance code setting the same minimum for first aid officers. In both cases, HLTAID009 on its own is not enough, and remote or higher-risk workplaces may need additional training on top.
When is HLTAID009 enough on its own?
HLTAID009 is sufficient when your HLTAID011 is less than three years old and only your CPR is due, or when CPR is all that your employer or registration body requires. It also works as a standalone course for anyone who wants CPR and AED skills without completing the full certificate.
Some registration bodies require both units on separate cycles. AUSactive, which registers fitness professionals, recognises HLTAID011 for three years and HLTAID009 for one year, and both must be current for registration to remain valid.
How often do you need to renew first aid and CPR?
The usual pattern is to renew CPR every 12 months and first aid every three years. Safe Work Australia's model Code and WorkSafe Victoria's compliance code both recommend those intervals, and employers and industry bodies often make them a requirement, although the Statement of Attainment itself does not expire.
CPR skills fade quickly. The training guideline from the Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) notes that, without practice, resuscitation skills and knowledge deteriorate 1 to 6 months after a course.
For a workplace first aider, a three-year cycle looks like this:
- Start with HLTAID011, which includes the same CPR training and assessment as HLTAID009.
- At 12 months, complete HLTAID009.
- At 24 months, complete HLTAID009 again.
- At 36 months, repeat HLTAID011, and the cycle starts again.
For more detail, read our guide to when first aid and CPR need renewing.
How do you check which unit your job needs?
The best way to check is to ask whoever sets the requirement, whether that is your employer, your registration body or your industry regulator. The descriptions of both units on training.gov.au state that refresher requirements should come from the relevant WHS regulator. If you work in education and care, such as childcare, check with your regulator before booking, because that sector may require a different unit.
If you need the full certificate, you will need to complete HLTAID011 Provide First Aid with a registered training organisation. If you are considering Scope Institute, our HLTAID011 Provide First Aid course combines online theory with a practical session of about 3 hours. If your first aid is current and only CPR is due, our HLTAID009 Provide CPR course involves a shorter online module and a practical session of about 2 hours. If you are unsure, please send us an enquiry and we will tell you which certificate your role requires.
Sources
- HLTAID011 Provide First Aid – training.gov.au
- HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation – training.gov.au
- Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace – Safe Work Australia
- Compliance code: First aid in the workplace – WorkSafe Victoria
- Guideline 10.1: Basic Life Support (BLS) Training – ANZCOR
- Professional Registration FAQ – AUSactive
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