To prepare for your first aid practical session, finish the online theory, have your USI and photo ID ready, and wear clothes you can kneel in. The theory happens online in your own time, so the session itself is hands-on practice on manikins, scenarios and a short assessment with your trainer.
What do you need to do before the practical?
- You must finish the online theory before your practical session, so leave yourself time to work through it. If you can't finish in time, contact us before the day.
- Have your USI ready. You need a Unique Student Identifier for any nationally recognised training in Australia, and you may already have one from earlier nationally recognised training. If you don't, it takes a few minutes to create at usi.gov.au.
- Adult CPR is assessed on a manikin on the floor, and that requirement can't be changed. If anything makes kneeling or floor CPR hard for you, such as a knee, back or shoulder problem, tell us as early as you can, ideally before you book, so we can talk through what adjustments are possible.
What should you bring to a first aid practical?
- Photo ID, such as a driver licence, passport or proof-of-age card. We check your identity before assessment.
- Water and something to eat, since practical sessions run about two to three hours with short breaks.
You don't need to bring a manikin, a first aid kit or printed notes. We provide all the equipment, including AED trainers, bandages, autoinjector trainers and asthma spacers.
What should you wear to a first aid course?
Wear clothes you can kneel and move in. You'll kneel on the floor, lean over a manikin and move around the room, so comfortable clothes and flat shoes make the session easier. Long trousers are more comfortable than shorts or a skirt for kneeling, and it's worth tying long hair back.
Coming straight from work in a uniform is fine, but bring something to change into if it's restrictive.
How does the practical session run?
A typical session runs in four stages.
- Arrive about 10 minutes early for check-in, where we check your ID and USI and run through what the session covers. If you're more than 30 minutes late, the trainer may not be able to let you join, because you'd miss the safety instructions and parts of the assessment. We'd book you into another session, and re-booking costs $25.
- Your trainer walks you through DRSABCD, then you practise compressions, breaths, the recovery position and using an AED trainer.
- You work through realistic scenarios in pairs or small groups. In HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, these include an unresponsive casualty, a severe allergic reaction, an asthma attack, bleeding and fractures.
- For the assessment, you do at least 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on an adult manikin on the floor and on an infant manikin, plus the scenario tasks for your unit. Your trainer tells you what they need to see before you start.
Your trainer coaches each skill before assessing it. If you don't meet a requirement on the day, they'll tell you what to work on and arrange another attempt with you. Your first two further attempts are free. Our guide to what to expect on the day of your practical assessment lists everything the assessor checks.
What happens after the session?
We usually issue your Statement of Attainment by email within 1 business day of you completing the theory and the practical, once your USI is verified and fees are paid. If your employer needs a copy sent to them directly, we can do that with your written consent.
A Statement of Attainment doesn't expire, but WorkSafe Victoria's compliance code recommends refreshing CPR every 12 months and first aid every three years, and many employers require it. Our post on when to refresh CPR and first aid explains more.
If you're still choosing a course, compare HLTAID011 Provide First Aid with the HLTAID009 Provide CPR course, or call us on 1300 508 809.
Sources
- Unique Student Identifier (USI) – Student Identifiers Registrar
- HLTAID011 Provide First Aid: unit details and assessment requirements – training.gov.au
- HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation: unit details and assessment requirements – training.gov.au
- Compliance code: First aid in the workplace – WorkSafe Victoria
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