HLTAID011 vs HLTAID012 vs HLTAID009: Which First Aid Course Do You Need in QLD? (Workplaces, Schools, Childcare, NDIS)
Why This Decision Matters (Don't Book the Wrong Course)
The fastest way to waste first aid training budget is enrolling staff in the wrong unit. In QLD, three units cover almost all workplace, education, and community first aid requirements: HLTAID009, HLTAID011, and HLTAID012. They're related - but not interchangeable.
This guide maps each unit to the settings and roles it's designed for, and gives you a clear decision guide without jargon.
Not sure what your team needs? Send an enquiry to SKLD Training - we'll map it to your roles
The Three Units: Summary
| Unit | Full name | What it covers | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| HLTAID009 | Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation | CPR-only - compressions, ventilations, AED use. Fast and focused. | Annually |
| HLTAID011 | Provide First Aid | Full first aid: CPR + AED, bleeding, shock, burns, fractures, medical episodes. Workplace standard. | Every 3 years (+annual CPR) |
| HLTAID012 | Provide First Aid in an education and care setting | Full first aid aligned to education/care settings - includes infant/child/adult response, anaphylaxis, asthma. | Every 3 years (+annual CPR) |
Sources: HLTAID009, HLTAID011, HLTAID012 - training.gov.au
HLTAID009: Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR-Only)
HLTAID009 is a focused, practical unit. It covers the DRSABCD action plan, compression/ventilation technique to ARC guideline standards, and AED training device use. It's not a full first aid course - it's a CPR refresher.
Who needs HLTAID009?
- Anyone who needs annual CPR currency without a full first aid renewal
- Staff who've done HLTAID011 in the last 3 years but are due for their 12-month CPR refresh
- Gyms, fitness studios, swim schools (all staff, annually)
- Schools (broadly across support, teaching aides, and admin staff)
- Hospitality teams for broader collapse-response coverage
- NDIS support workers (as part of a broader CPR coverage model)
What HLTAID009 does NOT include
HLTAID009 doesn't cover: bleeding management, shock, fractures, burns, medical emergencies (asthma, allergic reactions, diabetic events). If you need those, you need HLTAID011 or HLTAID012.
HLTAID011: Provide First Aid (Workplace Standard)
HLTAID011 is the most commonly requested unit for workplace first aiders across QLD. It's a nationally recognised unit covering the full range of skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response in workplace and community settings. CPR is included within HLTAID011. (training.gov.au)
Who needs HLTAID011?
- Nominated workplace first aiders - required for most Gold Coast and Brisbane businesses under QLD WHS
- Office, retail, corporate, warehouse, construction, and hospitality teams
- Gyms and fitness studios (duty managers and first aiders)
- NDIS and community support workers (nominated first aiders)
- Real estate, property management (nominated office first aiders)
- Sports clubs (team managers and designated responders)
What HLTAID011 includes
- Emergency response process (DRSABCD)
- CPR and AED use (assessed to ARC standard)
- Bleeding, shock, and wound management
- Burns, fractures, and soft tissue injuries
- Medical emergencies: asthma, diabetic events, allergic reactions, seizures
- Infection control, documentation, and handover to emergency services
HLTAID012: Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting
HLTAID012 is specifically designed for education and care settings - childcare, OSHC, early childhood, and some school roles. It covers the same core first aid skills as HLTAID011 but is explicitly aligned to infant and child health, mandatory supervision ratios, and the legal context of education and care services.
Who needs HLTAID012?
- Childcare centre staff - often a regulatory requirement for regulated services
- OSHC (Out of School Hours Care) staff
- Early learning educators and directors
- Some school roles, depending on employer policy (especially those working with younger children)
- Family day care educators
If your role directly involves children in a care setting, don't guess - match the unit to the environment. HLTAID012 is specifically designed for those settings.
Decision Guide: Which Unit for Which Role?
| Your role or setting | Book this unit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| General workplace first aider (office, retail, hospitality, trade) | HLTAID011 Provide First Aid | Broad workplace-ready coverage; most employer-preferred unit |
| Annual CPR refresh (already have current First Aid) | HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation | Fast, focused refresher - keeps CPR currency separate from 3-year First Aid cycle |
| Childcare, OSHC, early learning | HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting | Aligned to regulated education and care context; infant/child scenarios and environment |
| School support staff (teaching aides, admin) | HLTAID009 annually + check employer policy for First Aid unit | Many schools use CPR broadly and HLTAID011 or HLTAID012 for nominated staff |
| Gym staff / PT / fitness instructors | HLTAID011 + HLTAID009 annually | First Aid for duty coverage; annual CPR refresh for collapse response confidence |
| NDIS support workers | HLTAID011 for nominated staff + HLTAID009 broadly | Community settings with variable risk need incident management skills plus CPR depth |
| Construction / trade crew | HLTAID011 for first aiders + HLTAID009 for crew coverage | Site-specific hazards; first aider ratios under QLD WHS guidance |
Gold Coast & Brisbane: What Businesses in Your Area Usually Book
Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Main Beach
Hospitality, events, and tourism teams - mostly HLTAID009 annual CPR for broad staff, HLTAID011 for supervisors and duty managers.
Southport, Labrador, Bundall
Corporate offices, retail, and allied health - HLTAID011 for nominated first aiders, HLTAID009 annual for broader teams.
Robina, Varsity Lakes, Burleigh Heads
Growing business and medical cluster - mix of HLTAID011 (corporate) and HLTAID012 (childcare/OSHC nearby).
Helensvale, Coomera, Ormeau
Industrial and trade - HLTAID011 for nominated site first aiders, HLTAID009 for crew-wide annual CPR.
Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun
Schools and early learning - mix of HLTAID012 (childcare/OSHC roles) and HLTAID009/011 for school staff.
Brisbane
Similar pattern with higher corporate demand in CBD (HLTAID011) and strong childcare/school demand Northside and West (HLTAID012 + HLTAID009).
Compliance Line (Required)
Training and assessment delivered on behalf of Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909.
FAQ
What is the difference between HLTAID011 and HLTAID012?
HLTAID011 is for general workplaces (offices, hospitality, trade, fitness, NDIS). HLTAID012 is specifically designed for education and care settings (childcare, OSHC, early learning) and aligns first aid skills to infant/child health and the regulated care environment.
Does HLTAID011 include CPR?
Yes - HLTAID011 includes CPR assessment as part of the unit. However, many workplaces also maintain annual HLTAID009 as a separate CPR refresher, because CPR is typically renewed every 12 months rather than only on the 3-year First Aid cycle.
Can I use HLTAID011 in a childcare setting?
Check with your service or employer. Regulated education and care services commonly require HLTAID012 because it's specifically designed for that environment. HLTAID011 may not satisfy all regulatory or employer requirements for childcare staff.
What happens if I book the wrong unit?
You may need to redo the training in the correct unit - costing time and money. That's why it's worth confirming your requirement before booking. Send an enquiry to SKLD Training and we'll tell you exactly which unit your role needs.
Can I do HLTAID011 and HLTAID009 at the same time?
Since HLTAID011 includes CPR, booking First Aid gives you both. If your First Aid is current and you only need the annual CPR refresh, book HLTAID009.
Sources (Official)
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