Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by IRFA paramedic trainers · RTO 32154
Quick answer: USC nursing, midwifery, paramedicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and social work students on clinical placement require HLTAID011 Provide First Aid as the minimum nationally accredited qualification. Education students heading to school placements need HLTAID012. IRFA delivers both at our Sippy Downs headquarters — a 2-minute drive from USC campus — from $90, with same-day certificates.
Book your placement certificate now →
What This Guide Covers
- Which certificate USC placement coordinators actually require
- HLTAID011 vs HLTAID012 — which one applies to your faculty
- How long the course takes and when you get your certificate
- Why IRFA Sippy Downs is the most convenient option for USC students
- How to book before your placement start date
Which Certificate Do You Need for USC Clinical Placement?
USC’s Faculty of Health requires students to hold a current, nationally accredited first aid certificate before attending any clinical or community placement. The exact requirement depends on your program:
| USC Program | Required Certificate | Valid For |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing (BN, MN) | HLTAID011 Provide First Aid | 3 years |
| Midwifery | HLTAID011 Provide First Aid | 3 years |
| Paramedicine | HLTAID011 Provide First Aid | 3 years |
| Physiotherapy | HLTAID011 Provide First Aid | 3 years |
| Occupational Therapy | HLTAID011 Provide First Aid | 3 years |
| Social Work | HLTAID011 Provide First Aid | 3 years |
| Exercise Science / Sport Science | HLTAID011 Provide First Aid | 3 years |
| Education (Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary) | HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting | 3 years |
| All programs | CPR component (HLTAID009) must be renewed annually |
Important: Your HLTAID011 or HLTAID012 certificate is valid for 3 years — but the CPR component embedded in it expires after 12 months. Most placement coordinators check the CPR renewal date, not just the certificate date. IRFA sends you an automatic renewal reminder before it lapses.
HLTAID011 — What the Course Covers
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid is a 4-hour hands-on course delivered by IRFA’s paramedic-qualified trainers. It covers everything your placement coordinator needs to see on your certificate:
- DRSABCD — the Australian emergency action framework
- CPR for adults, children, and infants (HLTAID009 included)
- Basic Emergency Life Support (HLTAID010 included)
- Wound management — cuts, abrasions, bleeding control
- Burns, fractures, and immobilisation
- Anaphylaxis and EpiPen administration
- Asthma and respiratory emergencies
- Choking response for adults and children
- Stroke, seizures, and diabetic emergencies
- Managing an unconscious patient
On completion you receive three Statements of Attainment in one session:
- HLTAID009 Provide CPR
- HLTAID010 Provide Basic Emergency Life Support
- HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
All three are issued the same day by RTO 32154 and are nationally recognised. Your certificate is emailed to you before you leave the venue.
Cost: $90 | Duration: 4 hours | Certificate valid: 3 years (CPR renewed annually)
HLTAID012 — For Education Placements
If you are enrolled in a USC Education program (Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, Secondary Education, or OSHC) your placement school or childcare centre will require HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting — not the standard HLTAID011.
This is an ACECQA-mandated requirement under the Education and Care Services National Law. Standard HLTAID011 does not satisfy it.
HLTAID012 covers everything in HLTAID011 plus:
- Paediatric CPR and infant CPR techniques
- Infant choking management
- Anaphylaxis and EpiPen use specific to children
- Asthma management for children — spacer technique
- Education and care setting emergency response protocols
Cost: $90 | Duration: 4 hours | Certificate valid: 3 years
Book HLTAID012 for Education Placement →
Why USC Students Choose IRFA Sippy Downs
IRFA’s headquarters is at Unit 5/96 Bellflower Road, Sippy Downs QLD 4556 — 2 minutes from USC’s main campus entrance.
Distance from USC: 1.4 km — the closest accredited RTO to the USC campus.
What sets IRFA apart for USC students:
- Paramedic-qualified instructors only — every trainer is an active or former paramedic or emergency health professional. Not a customer service trainer reading a script — someone who has performed CPR in the field.
- Sessions from 7AM — the only RTO on the Sunshine Coast offering a 7AM first aid session. Get certified before your first lecture of the day.
- Same-day digital certificates — your Statement of Attainment is emailed to you before you leave the building. No waiting 3–5 business days.
- 100+ free on-site parking spaces — no stress, no parking fees, no walking from a paid carpark.
- Smallest class sizes on the Sunshine Coast — maximum 12 students per session. Every student gets adequate hands-on mannequin time and direct assessor feedback.
- 99% pass rate — if you need extra support during assessment, IRFA trainers coach you on the spot at no extra charge.
- RTO 32154 (ASQA-accredited) — fully recognised by USC, Queensland Health, AHPRA placement coordinators, and all Australian employers.
Session Times Available
| Session | Start Time | Finish Time | Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Morning | 7:00 AM | 9:00 AM | CPR only (HLTAID009) |
| Morning | 9:00 AM | 1:00 PM | First Aid HLTAID011 / HLTAID012 |
| Combined | 7:00 AM | 1:00 PM | CPR + First Aid same morning |
Sessions run multiple days per week. Check current availability and book your date on the IRFA booking page.
How to Book — Step by Step
- Check your placement pack — confirm the exact certificate code your faculty requires (HLTAID011 or HLTAID012)
- Get your USI — your Unique Student Identifier is free at usi.gov.au and takes under 5 minutes. You must have this before attending.
- Select your session date — pick a date at least 2 business days before your placement start date so your coordinator can verify your certificate
- Book online at irfa.au — select Sippy Downs as your location
- Attend and get certified — bring your USI and a photo ID (student card, licence, or passport). Everything else is provided.
Book Your USC Placement Certificate →
Frequently Asked Questions — USC Students
Does USC accept IRFA certificates for placement clearance?
Yes. IRFA is RTO 32154, registered with ASQA. All Statements of Attainment issued by IRFA are nationally recognised and accepted by USC Faculty of Health, USC Faculty of Education, Queensland Health, AHPRA-regulated facilities, and all Australian employers.
My certificate expired — do I need to redo the full course?
If your HLTAID011 or HLTAID012 has expired (more than 3 years since completion), you complete the standard 4-hour course again at $90. If only your CPR component has lapsed (12+ months), a 2-hour HLTAID009 CPR renewal at $40 restores your compliance.
Can I get a same-day certificate for a placement starting tomorrow?
Yes. All IRFA certificates are emailed the same day on completion. Book the earliest available morning session and your certificate will be ready well before any next-day placement check-in.
Does my overseas first aid certificate count for USC placement?
No. USC and Australian health regulators require a certificate issued by an ASQA-registered Australian RTO. Overseas certificates, Red Cross certifications, or certificates from non-accredited providers are not accepted.
What do I wear?
Comfortable clothing suitable for floor-based CPR practice. You will be kneeling and performing compressions — avoid formal wear or skirts.
Is there a student discount?
IRFA’s standard pricing is already the lowest accredited rate on the Sunshine Coast — $90 for HLTAID011, $40 for CPR. There is no additional student discount as pricing is not marked up from the base rate.
CPR Renewal for Continuing USC Students
If you have a valid HLTAID011 or HLTAID012 but your CPR component has expired (it lapses 12 months after your last CPR session), you need a HLTAID009 CPR renewal — not a full first aid re-do.
- Cost: $40
- Duration: 2 hours
- Sessions: 7AM, 9AM, or 5PM
- Certificate: Emailed same day
This restores compliance for placement and keeps your existing HLTAID011/012 valid for the remainder of its 3-year term.
Get Certified Before Your Placement Starts
IRFA Sippy Downs is the fastest, most convenient path to placement clearance for USC students. 2 minutes from campus, sessions from 7AM, certificates emailed the same day.
📍 Unit 5/96 Bellflower Road, Sippy Downs QLD 4556
📞 1300 766 298
🗓️ Book online — check available dates →
RTO 32154 · ASQA Accredited · Nationally Recognised · Accepted by USC, Queensland Health & all Australian employers