Early childhood education and care services need to know that ACECQA made the HLTAID012 (Provide first aid in an education and care setting) first aid course to supersede HLTAID004 (Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting) course from 15 October 2020 onwards.

That said, at the time of writing this article, HLTAID004 remains a mandatory part of the training courses for Certificate III (CHC30113) and Diploma (CHC50113) accreditation. And the new training packages are likely to be updated in the future with HLTAID012 as first aid component.

Anecdotal evidence already suggests that many services and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are not aware of ACECQA's decision and effect post 15 October 2020.

There is also concern from the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW members that the NSW Department of Education's Authorised Officers may regard the completion of HLTAID004 and not HLTAID012 since 15 October 2020 (but not relating to the undertaking of Certificate III or Diploma courses) as a breach/non-compliance of Regulation 136.

Consequently, given the anomaly outlined above, ACA NSW has formally written to the NSW Department of Education as well as ACECQA to:

• seek clarification; 
• ask for the avoidance of issuing breaches/non-compliances where appropriate; and
• accept a temporary equivalence of HLTAID012 and HLTAID004.

Any update will be shared with members.

PUBLISHED: 2 FEBRUARY 2021