Which first aid course do I need?
009, 011 or 012

Which first aid course do I need? The quick answer

Start with what your employer, industry or volunteer group has asked for. If nobody has named a code, this table will point you in the right direction.

Each course also has pre-course eLearning (up to 1 hour for CPR, 2 hours for first aid and 2.5 hours for education and care), which must be finished at least 24 hours before your session.

How the three courses fit together

The codes are nested, which makes the choice easier than it looks. If you're unsure between two of them, the higher one covers everything in the lower one.

The Queensland Government's Provide First Aid course information confirms that completing HLTAID011 also gives you the CPR unit on your statement of attainment.

• HLTAID011 includes HLTAID009, so first aid covers your CPR too.
• HLTAID012 includes HLTAID009, HLTAID010 and HLTAID011.
• You only ever need to book one of these three courses.

Provide CPR (HLTAID009)

This is the shortest course. You learn to recognise someone who is unresponsive and not breathing normally, perform CPR on adults, children and infants, and use an AED.

CPR is renewed every 12 months. You can book Provide CPR as a public course at our Kirwan classroom, and it's a good fit for anyone below.

• Your employer or licence only asks for current CPR.
• You hold a current first aid certificate and need your yearly CPR update.
• You want the confidence to respond in an emergency without the full first aid content.

Provide First Aid (HLTAID011)

Formerly known as Senior First Aid, this is the general first aid course. It covers CPR plus the wider skills you'd use at work or at home, including asthma and anaphylaxis and how to respond to a range of sudden illnesses and injuries.

The recommended minimum age is 14. The statement of attainment is valid for three years, with CPR refreshed every 12 months. See Provide First Aid for dates and details. It's a good fit for anyone below.

• You're a nominated first aider at work.
• You volunteer, coach sport or run community activities.
• You want practical skills to look after family and friends.

Education and Childcare First Aid (HLTAID012)

This course is designed for people who care for babies and children. It includes everything in HLTAID011 and HLTAID009, with the focus on responding to infants and children in an education and care setting.

Education and Childcare First Aid is valid for three years, with CPR refreshed every 12 months. If you work in education and care, check with your service which unit it requires before you book. It's a good fit for anyone below.

• You work in childcare, kindy or outside school hours care (OSHC).
• You're a family day care educator or nanny.
• You're studying towards a role in early childhood education.

When you might need a different course

A few roles need something beyond these three. Your employer or site induction will usually tell you if that's the case.

• Electrical work: CPR & Low Voltage Rescue combines HLTAID009 with UETDRMP018 and is renewed every 12 months.
• Higher risk workplaces or first aid officers: Provide Advanced First Aid (HLTAID014) goes further than HLTAID011.
• Remote or isolated work: Remote or Isolated First Aid (HLTAID013) is for people who may wait longer for an ambulance, such as on rural and remote sites.

Standard or Express?

Once you've picked the course, choose the version. Express isn't available if your certificate has expired, so book Standard in that case. For Express, bring a copy of your current statement of attainment.

Our post on how long a first aid certificate lasts explains the timing.

• Standard is for first-timers or anyone whose certificate has expired.
• Express is for renewing a certificate that's still current. It's the same price with less time in the classroom (for example, 1 hour face to face for HLTAID011 instead of 4).

Check before you book

A quick check now saves rebooking later. Our student information page covers what to bring on the day, and the course calendar shows upcoming dates at Kirwan.

• Ask your employer or volunteer group for the exact unit code they need.
• Check your current certificate's date to see whether you can do Express.
• Have your USI ready, since your statement of attainment can't be issued without it.
• Make sure you can kneel on the floor for 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on a manikin.