During the COVID pandemic, training organisations have been allowed to apply reasonable adjustments to first aid training as an infection control precaution.  For example, students have been allowed to perform assessments such as bandaging on themselves instead of on a second person as was the normal practice pre-COVID.

From 1^st September 2022 the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) will require all training activities to return to pre-COVID conditions.  This means that for any 100% online (virtual) first aid classes students will need to demonstrate some of the practical assessment tasks on another person.  For further information about the removal of reasonable adjustments, see the AISC statement here. 

Students in virtual classes will need to arrange for someone to assist them during part of their class as the casualty:

• they may be a colleague, a friend, or a family member who is primary school-aged or older.
• they do not need any first aid knowledge, they just need to be willing to act as a patient – for example, to have their arm bandaged or be rolled into the recovery position.
• they should not be a fellow student in the class.

The casualty will only be required for part of the session:

• In a HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation class, the casualty will be required for 15mins in the second half of the class.
• In a HLTAID011 Provide First Aid class, the casualty will be required for approximately 1hr 15 mins, in the second half of the class.

If you are unable to find a second person to assist you with your practical assessments at the time your class is currently booked you can transfer to a new date.  You can click on the Transfer Class button on your Student Readiness page, or contact our Customer Experience Team

If you need to swap to a face to face course in a classroom, or if you can’t find a date that suits you please contact our Customer Experience team on 1300 360 455 or email customer.service@stjohnvic.com.au