A blended first aid course puts the theory online and keeps the hands-on skills in person. At Scope Institute, you work through the theory and its short quizzes in your own time, then attend one practical session where a trainer coaches you and assesses your skills on manikins. HLTAID011 Provide First Aid and HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation both run this way, and you must finish the theory first.
What's done online in a blended first aid course?
You do the admin and the knowledge side in Scope's first aid student portal.
- Enrol by entering your details and your USI.
- Do a short self-check of your reading, writing, numeracy and digital skills. It isn't a test, just a way to spot whether you might need support.
- Work through the theory at your own pace, answering the knowledge questions as you go.
Those questions are part of your assessment. Most people need 2 to 4 hours for the HLTAID011 theory and about an hour for HLTAID009.
Can you do a first aid course fully online?
Not at Scope. Both units require you to physically demonstrate CPR and other skills, and Scope assesses them face to face.
The units' assessment requirements on training.gov.au call for at least 2 minutes of uninterrupted single-rescuer CPR "on an adult resuscitation manikin placed on the floor" and 2 minutes on an infant manikin on a firm surface. You also follow the prompts of a training defibrillator (AED) to deliver a shock. Their assessment conditions add that compressions and breaths must be shown on manikins that follow Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines.
At Scope, the practical takes about 3 hours for HLTAID011 or about 2 hours for HLTAID009. It runs at Scope's training venue or, for on-site group training, at your workplace. Your trainer coaches each skill before assessing it. HLTAID011 adds scenarios such as asthma, anaphylaxis and bleeding, plus a written incident report.
If kneeling for CPR could be hard for you, tell Scope before you book to talk through adjustments.
Do you have to finish the theory before the practical?
Yes. Scope's student handbook and terms both say you must finish the online theory before your practical session, which leaves the session free for practice and assessment.
If you won't finish in time, call Student Support on 1300 508 809 before the day. Moving to another session is free with at least 7 days' notice. With less notice there's a $25 transfer fee, waived if you have a medical certificate.
Do you need a USI for a first aid course?
You do. A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a free, lifelong reference number from the Australian Government. An RTO has to make sure you have a valid one before issuing a Statement of Attainment, unless you're exempt.
If you've done nationally recognised training since 2015, such as an earlier first aid course or a white card, you may already have one, so look it up with Find your USI first. Creating a new one takes a single form of ID or your Digital ID.
When do you get your first aid certificate?
Usually within one business day. Scope emails your Statement of Attainment once you've completed both the theory and the practical, your USI is verified and your fees are paid.
Scope's terms and the national RTO standards both set 30 calendar days as the outer limit. If your employer booked your place, an unpaid invoice won't hold your certificate back. Your employer only gets a copy with your written consent.
If a skill isn't there yet on the day, your trainer explains what to work on and arranges another attempt. Your first two further attempts are free.
Which course should you book?
For the full workplace first aid certificate, choose HLTAID011 Provide First Aid. If you only need CPR, including the yearly refresher many workplaces expect, HLTAID009 Provide CPR is the shorter course. Request a group quote if you're booking on-site training for a team. Once you're enrolled, read how to prepare for your first aid practical session.
Sources
- Assessment Requirements for HLTAID011 Provide First Aid – training.gov.au
- Assessment Requirements for HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation – training.gov.au
- Create your USI – Office of the Student Identifiers Registrar
- Find your USI – Office of the Student Identifiers Registrar
- Reporting requirements and exemptions – Office of the Student Identifiers Registrar
.svg){kind=icon}
