First Aid and CPR


You require evidence of First Aid and CPR if you provide face to face physical activity or exercise services directly to clients. Physical activity and exercise services are exercise and sports science services, activities and research with clients or human participants that include physical based assessments and education, and activities involving physical activity and/or exercise.

You may not require evidence of First Aid and CPR if you DO NOT provide face to face physical activity or exercise services directly to clients.

*Evidence of exemptions must be kept and provided to ESSA upon request. Examples of evidence may include a position description or a letter from your employer detailing the activities undertaken within your role.


The accepted codes are changing:

  • HLTAID001 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation to HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
  • HLTAID003 Provide First Aid to HLTAID011 Provide First Aid


ESSA will accept either sets of codes until HLTAID001 and 003 are phased out. Please talk to your course provider if you have any questions.

The updates to the units of competency have been made to reflect industry best practice, expectations and current regulations.

Examples of changes to the national training packages include:

  • self-reflection of psychological impacts of rendering first aid

  • increased assessment requirements in volume and breadth of both knowledge and skill demonstration

  • additional resource requirements

  • increased focus on infection control and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

More info can be found here: https://www.asqa.gov.au/news-events/news/opt-pre-approval-newly-endorsed-first-aid-units-competency

FAQs


What if I am living overseas?

Accredited professionals living overseas, and providing delivery of physical activity and exercise and sports science services, are required to hold equivalent First Aid and CPR certificates. These qualifications should be in line with international standards on resuscitation, such as those set by the International Committee of the Red Cross or the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation.

Do I need to hold First Aid and CPR certificates?

You need to hold First Aid and CPR certificates if you provide any face to face services to clients that involve physical activity, exercise, physical assessments, education, etc. If you are in a role that does not involve face to face client services or physical activity services, you do not need First Aid and CPR certificates (e.g. in office based roles such as advocacy, administration and policy). 

How long do I need to keep my records?

You need to keep any records relating to your accreditation requirements for 7 years.

Do I need to send evidence (e.g. Recency, First Aid, CPR, Professional Indemnity Insurance) to ESSA in order to renew my accreditation?

No. You only need to send accreditation evidence if ESSA requests it, but you must keep your records for 7 years.
To renew, you need to read and sign the mandatory declarations, and pay your renewal fee.

How regularly do I need to update my First Aid and CPR training?

If you provide face to face physical activity or exercise services directly to clients, you need to hold First Aid and CPR certificates.
First aid needs to be updated every 3 years as outlined in the national training standard. Training must lead to HLTAID003 or equivalent.
CPR needs to be updated every year. While the national training standard only recommends updating yearly, ESSA requires it. Training must lead to HLTAID001 or equivalent.
Please note CPR is included in First Aid training, so you cannot claim both HLTAID001 and HLTAID003 for CPD points in the same year.

I am overseas and want to keep my accreditation, but I do not have access to HLTAID training. What do I do?

You need to hold First Aid and CPR certificates that are equivalent to HLTAID003 and HLTAID001 respectively. These should be in line with international standards on resuscitation, such as those set by the International Committee of the Red Cross or the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation.

Most countries offer some type of standardised training. 


Updated August 2021