How to Choose the Right First Aid Training for Your Team

Step 1: Know What You’re Legally Required to Provide

In Australia, first aid training is a legal WHS requirement—and it’s not one-size-fits-all. You need to base your training on:

• Your industry (e.g. office, retail, trades, childcare)

• Your team size

• Your workplace risk level

• Any mental health or psychosocial hazards in your environment

Minimum standards usually include:

• At least one accredited first aider per shift

• Annual CPR refresher training

• Visible first aid kits + signage

• A documented emergency response plan

💡 : You might also need to consider Mental Health First Aid training, especially in high-pressure industries.

Step 2: Choose the Right Type of Training

Not all first aid training is created equal. Here are the core options:

🩹 HLTAID011: Provide First Aid

Covers CPR, injuries, burns, bleeding, shock, asthma, and more. Standard for most employees.

❤️ HLTAID009: Provide CPR Only

Shorter course focused solely on CPR. Great for annual refreshers or low-risk workplaces.

🧠 Mental Health First Aid

Teaches your team to recognise and support staff experiencing mental health issues or crises. A must-have in 2025.

🧒 Childcare or Education First Aid

If you’re working with children, a course like HLTAID012 is usually required by regulation.

Step 3: Pick a Training Provider Who Gets Your Business

Look for a provider that offers:

• ✅ Onsite training (so you don’t need to send staff offsite)

• ✅ Customised content based on your industry

• ✅ Group bookings and flexible dates

• ✅ Digital certificates + records for your compliance needs

• ✅ Trainers with real-world experience—not just theory

💡 Bonus points if they help you check your kit setup and signage, so you’re not caught out in an audit.

Step 4: Make Sure They’re Registered and Recognised

Any provider you choose must be a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Check:

• They deliver nationally recognised courses

• Their trainers are experienced and accredited

• They issue official, compliant certificates

⚠️ Be wary of cheap, unregistered providers offering “fast” or “online-only” CPR. Many of these won’t hold up if something goes wrong—or if your business is audited.

Step 5: Think About More Than Just Compliance

Yes, you need to tick the legal boxes—but the right training will also:

• Reduce injury severity

• Boost team confidence and morale

• Improve workplace culture

• Prepare your staff for real emergencies (not just hypotheticals)

At The First Aid Nest, we constantly hear feedback like:

“I thought this would be boring—turns out, it was actually empowering.”

That’s what great training does. It gives your team the confidence to act when it really counts.

Make it Easy on Yourself

The simplest way to get this off your to-do list?
Partner with a training provider who handles the admin and the training.

At The First Aid Nest, we offer:

• 📍 Onsite or virtual training, Australia-wide

• 🎓 CPR, full first aid, and mental health first aid courses

• 🛠 Kit reviews, signage checks, and compliance advice

• ✅ Certificates that keep your WHS records up-to-date

All delivered by nurses, paramedics, and experts who actually get it.