Background

The HLTAID First Aid Competency Standards were developed to provide a set of robust, industry-supported standards for people providing First Aid to others.

In these instances, the Statement of Attainment provides evidence to the employer and the community that the worker has the skills and knowledge to be able to provide a First Aid response and sustain life in the event of an emergency.

A widespread multi-channel consultation involving a broad range of stakeholders was conducted to identify and validate the exact nature of the skills needs in the industry and the respective Training Package Product update requirements.

As a result, industry has identified four key drivers for change in the First Aid Training Package Products, as follows:

• Changes in industry best practice
• Diversity in the scope and breadth of First Aid
• An increase in clarity and uniformity in the content of the Units of Competency wherever possible
• Increased recognition of the role of mental health support in the provision of First Aid.

Consequently, the First Aid IRC has proposed changes which will involve:

• A review of the current Units of Competency to reflect industry best practice and current regulation
• A review of the current Units of Competency to ensure their scope and breadth are reflective of industry expectations
• Consideration of the skills requirements in specific areas, such as asthma and anaphylaxis.
• Consideration of the need for additional criteria to address First Aid in relation to mental health.