WorkCover NSW initiated a 3-tiered strategy to consult with all stakeholders regarding the future direction of licensing first aid providers and course delivery. The first stage was the call for public comment on the discussion paper that was released in December 2005. The second stage involved consultation with accreditation bodies, and the third stage involved consultation forums with industry stakeholders.
As a result of the consultation, WorkCover NSW is now pleased to advise the outcome of the review.
Effective immediately WorkCover NSW will be recognising specific units of competency in lieu of the current WorkCover NSW course requirements. A transitional period ending 30 June 2009 will apply for all courses currently approved.
These changes will benefit course providers, employers and employees in New South Wales through:
- Recognition of nationally accredited statements of attainment issued in other States and Territories;
- Reduction of red tape in accreditation processes for providers; and
- A streamlined validation process for first aid certificates.
To give effect to this change, the following arrangements will apply:
1. WorkCover NSW to recognise the following equivalent units of competency as “WorkCover Approved” for three (3) years from the date of the statement of attainment. In the case of the Occupational First Aid equivalency, the 3-year time frame will commence on the statement of attainment date for HLTFA403A Manage First Aid in the Workplace. The selected cross-industry units of competency are nationally listed within the Health Training Package (HLT06). This package was recently rationalised by the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council Ltd (ISC) from over 70 qualifications and 700 units of competency. WorkCover NSW is satisfied that the selected units of competency incorporate the mandatory syllabus requirements currently imposed on first aid course providers in NSW.
Note: Only Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) can deliver national units of competency. The ISC anticipates that the selected units of competency will be endorsed by the Federal Government in Oct/Nov 2006. In the interim, organisations may commence drafting an application to their State Training Authority to either become a RTO, or if already a RTO, to have the selected units of competency added to their scope of delivery.
COURSE NAME EQUIVALENT UNIT OF COMPETENCY
First Aid Course HLTFA301B Apply First Aid
Occupational First Aid Course HLTFA301B Apply First AidHLTFA402B Apply Advanced First Aid HLTFA403A Manage First Aid in the Workplace
2. WorkCover NSW will not accept any further applications for course approval.
3. Existing providers, regardless of RTO status, may continue to offer their WorkCover NSW approved course until 30 June 2009.
4. RTOs wishing to deliver the national units of competency will need to ensure that they have the above units of competency included within their scope of delivery.
5. At the conclusion of the transitional period (30 June 2009), all WorkCover NSW first aid course approvals will expire.
6. To assist providers who are non-RTOs, WorkCover NSW will be facilitating briefing/workshop sessions throughout the transitional period. Topics will include the process to become a Registered Training Organisation, partnership arrangements, units of competency, and the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). Information will be available on the WorkCover NSW website shortly www.workcover.nsw.gov.au. Alternatively, you may contact the Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB) on Ph 9244 5335 or visit their website at www.vetab.nsw.gov.au for a listing of independent sessions.
7. WorkCover NSW will continue to be responsible for specifying the following employer first aid responsibilities under the OHS Regulation 2001 (Chapter 2, Clause 20) :
i. Provision of “trained first aid personnel” at various sites or places of work;
ii. Minimum first aid facilities that are required at various sites or places of work;
iii. Contents of first aid kits at various sites or places of work; and
iv. Register of injuries under the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation
Act 1998.
WorkCover Approved Pamphlets
The OHS Regulation 2001 requires that a “First aid pamphlet as approved by WorkCover” is included within all first aid kits. The first aid pamphlet is intended to be a quick and ready reference to assist the person providing first aid in an emergency. It is not intended to be a first aid manual.
As part of the review process, WorkCover NSW consulted with approved pamphlet providers on the management of future pamphlet approvals. With the support of providers, effective immediately WorkCover NSW will no longer be approving individual submissions. Instead, WorkCover NSW will define what information must be contained within all pamphlets:
- The pamphlet should be brief and suitable for the inclusion in all classes of first aid kits
- The pamphlet should preferably be in large print and in point form
- The pamphlet should have the provision for recording emergency telephone numbers
- The pamphlet must contain information on the following topics: Management of the unconscious person including CPR; Control of bleeding; Management of burns and scalds; and Management of poisoning
- The author is responsible for updating the pamphlet in line with any legislative, technological or medical change.
A transitional period will apply to all first aid pamphlets previously approved by WorkCover NSW. At the conclusion of this period (30 June 2009), all WorkCover NSW first aid pamphlet approvals will expire. Only pamphlets issued in the above format will be recognised from this point on.
Please view the Frequently Asked Questions document below to assist you during the transitional period.
Enquiries in relation to these changes are to be directed to the Strategic Licensing Assessment and Management Unit Hotline on Ph 1800 855 969.