Quick answer — which course do you need?
If your employer says “get a first aid certificate,” you need HLTAID011 Provide First Aid ($95, 4 hours, valid 3 years). If you only need CPR renewal, that’s HLTAID009 Provide CPR ($45, 2 hours, renew annually). If you work in childcare or education, you need HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting ($95, 4 hours, ACECQA approved).
Still not sure? Read on — we break down every difference below.
What is HLTAID011 — Provide First Aid?
HLTAID011 is Australia’s standard workplace first aid qualification. It is the course most employers, WHS officers, and industry regulators mean when they say “first aid certificate.” Under the Safe Work Australia First Aid Code of Practice and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, every Australian workplace must have trained first aiders holding this qualification.
What HLTAID011 covers
The course teaches the complete DRSABCD emergency action plan, plus practical first aid for real workplace and community emergencies:
- CPR for adults, children, and infants (includes full HLTAID009 content)
- AED (defibrillator) operation
- Wound management — bleeding control, pressure bandaging, wound dressing
- Burns — thermal, chemical, electrical, and friction burns
- Fractures, dislocations, sprains, and strains
- Anaphylaxis — recognising and administering an adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen)
- Asthma emergency management
- Choking — adults and children
- Stroke recognition using the FAST method
- Head, neck, and spinal injuries
- Poisoning and envenomation (including snake bites and spider bites)
- Shock management
- Recovery position
- Seizures and diabetes emergencies
HLTAID011 course details
| Detail | HLTAID011 |
|---|---|
| Full name | HLTAID011 Provide First Aid |
| Duration | 4 hours face-to-face |
| Price at IRFA | $95 (GST inclusive) |
| Certificate validity | 3 years (CPR component requires annual renewal) |
| Certificates issued | HLTAID011 + HLTAID010 + HLTAID009 (three qualifications) |
| Prerequisites | None — no prior training required |
| Delivery | 100% face-to-face with paramedic trainer |
| Certificate issued | Same day — digital Statement of Attainment |
Who needs HLTAID011?
- Workplace first aid officers — mandatory under WHS Act 2011 across all industries
- Construction workers and tradies — site supervisors, foremen, WHS officers
- Healthcare support workers — NDIS support workers, aged care assistants, dental assistants
- Sports coaches and fitness professionals — required by most sporting associations
- Hospitality and retail managers — duty of care under WHS regulations
- Community volunteers — surf lifesaving, SES, community event organisers
- Anyone wanting comprehensive first aid skills — parents, carers, community members
What is HLTAID009 — Provide CPR?
HLTAID009 is the standalone CPR qualification. It covers cardiopulmonary resuscitation and AED operation — the core life-saving skills for cardiac arrest — without the broader first aid content of HLTAID011.
The Australian Resuscitation Council recommends annual CPR renewal. If you already hold HLTAID011 (valid for 3 years), you still need to renew the CPR component every 12 months with HLTAID009 to remain compliant.
What HLTAID009 covers
- DRSABCD emergency action plan
- CPR technique for adults, children, and infants
- Compression depth, rate, and ratio (30:2 at 100–120 per minute)
- Rescue breathing technique
- AED (automated external defibrillator) operation
- Choking management
- Recovery position
- When and how to call Triple Zero (000)
HLTAID009 course details
| Detail | HLTAID009 |
|---|---|
| Full name | HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation |
| Duration | 2 hours face-to-face |
| Price at IRFA | $45 (GST inclusive) |
| Certificate validity | 1 year (annual renewal recommended) |
| Certificates issued | HLTAID009 (one qualification) |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Delivery | 100% face-to-face — 7 AM and 9 AM sessions available |
| Certificate issued | Same day — digital Statement of Attainment |
Who needs HLTAID009?
- Annual CPR renewal — anyone with an existing HLTAID011 needing their yearly CPR update
- AHPRA-registered practitioners — nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, dentists (annual CPR is a registration condition)
- Licensed electricians — annual CPR required alongside UETDRMP018 Low Voltage Rescue
- Gym and fitness instructors — annual CPR required by Fitness Australia and most insurance providers
- Parents and carers — infant and child CPR skills in a quick 2-hour course
- Students on placement — nursing, education, and allied health placements often require current CPR
What is HLTAID012 — First Aid in Education and Care?
HLTAID012 is the ACECQA-approved first aid qualification specifically designed for people working with children in education and care settings. It covers everything in HLTAID011 plus additional paediatric-specific content required under the Education and Care Services National Law.
In Queensland, at least one educator holding current HLTAID012 must be physically present at all times whenever children are being educated and cared for. This is not optional — it is a condition of service approval.
What HLTAID012 covers (beyond HLTAID011)
Everything in HLTAID011, plus:
- Paediatric CPR focus — modified technique for infants and young children
- Anaphylaxis management — recognising allergic reactions and administering an EpiPen in a childcare context
- Asthma emergency response — using a spacer device with children, recognising severe asthma attacks
- Febrile convulsions — managing seizures caused by high fever in young children
- Common childhood injuries — head bumps, falls from play equipment, foreign body ingestion
- Duty of care obligations — legal responsibilities specific to education and care workers
- Emergency communication with parents — notification requirements under the National Quality Standard
HLTAID012 course details
| Detail | HLTAID012 |
|---|---|
| Full name | HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting |
| Duration | 4 hours face-to-face |
| Price at IRFA | $95 (GST inclusive) |
| Certificate validity | 3 years (CPR component requires annual renewal) |
| Certificates issued | HLTAID012 + HLTAID011 + HLTAID010 + HLTAID009 (four qualifications) |
| Prerequisites | None |
| ACECQA approved | Yes — meets NQF and NQS requirements |
| Certificate issued | Same day — digital Statement of Attainment |
Who needs HLTAID012?
- Childcare educators — long day care, family day care, occasional care
- Kindergarten and preschool teachers
- OSHC (Outside School Hours Care) staff
- Primary school teachers and teacher aides
- Nannies and au pairs — increasingly required by agencies and families
- Swimming instructors working with children
- Centre directors and nominated supervisors
Side-by-side comparison: HLTAID011 vs HLTAID009 vs HLTAID012
This table gives you the complete picture at a glance.
| Feature | HLTAID009 (CPR) | HLTAID011 (First Aid) | HLTAID012 (Childcare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 hours | 4 hours | 4 hours |
| Price at IRFA | $45 | $95 | $95 |
| Validity | 1 year | 3 years | 3 years |
| CPR and AED | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DRSABCD | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wound care | No | Yes | Yes |
| Burns and fractures | No | Yes | Yes |
| Anaphylaxis (EpiPen) | No | Yes | Yes (paediatric focus) |
| Asthma management | No | Yes | Yes (spacer technique) |
| Febrile convulsions | No | No | Yes |
| ACECQA approved | No | No | Yes |
| Certificates received | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Annual CPR renewal needed | N/A (is the renewal) | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Annual renewal, quick certification | Workplace compliance, general public | Childcare, education, schools |
Which course does your industry require?
Construction and trades
You need HLTAID011 if you are a site supervisor, foreman, or designated first aid officer. Many sites also require a White Card (CPCCWHS1001) and electricians need annual Low Voltage Rescue (UETDRMP018). IRFA offers a First Aid + White Card combo ($180, saving $10) and a First Aid + LVR combo ($180, saving $10).
Healthcare and AHPRA registration
AHPRA-registered practitioners need annual HLTAID009 CPR renewal as a condition of their professional registration. This includes nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, dentists, and paramedics. IRFA’s 7 AM CPR session is designed for healthcare workers — certified before your shift starts.
Childcare and education
Queensland childcare centres, kindergartens, and OSHC services must have at least one HLTAID012-qualified educator present at all times under the Education and Care Services National Law. HLTAID012 is the only qualification that satisfies ACECQA requirements. It includes everything in HLTAID011 and HLTAID009, so you receive four certificates from one course.
Office, retail, and hospitality
HLTAID011 is the standard for workplace first aid officers in office, retail, and hospitality environments. Safe Work Australia recommends one first aider per 50 workers in low-risk environments and one per 25 in high-risk settings.
NDIS and disability support
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission requires all registered support workers to hold current HLTAID011 and annual HLTAID009 CPR renewal.
Sports, fitness, and coaching
Most sporting associations and Fitness Australia require annual HLTAID009 CPR certification. Head coaches and club safety officers typically need HLTAID011.
Can I upgrade from one course to another?
Yes. Because HLTAID012 includes HLTAID011, which includes HLTAID009, you can choose the highest level you need and receive all the certificates below it automatically:
- Book HLTAID009 → you receive 1 certificate (CPR only)
- Book HLTAID011 → you receive 3 certificates (HLTAID011 + HLTAID010 + HLTAID009)
- Book HLTAID012 → you receive 4 certificates (HLTAID012 + HLTAID011 + HLTAID010 + HLTAID009)
If you only hold HLTAID009 and later need full first aid, you do not need to “upgrade” — simply book HLTAID011 or HLTAID012 as a new enrolment.
How long does each certificate last?
This is one of the most common questions, and we have covered it in detail here. The short version:
- HLTAID009 (CPR) — renew every 12 months. The Australian Resuscitation Council recommends annual renewal to maintain competency.
- HLTAID011 (First Aid) — valid for 3 years. However, the CPR component (HLTAID009) within it must be renewed annually.
- HLTAID012 (Childcare First Aid) — valid for 3 years, with annual CPR renewal required. ACECQA audits check both expiry dates.
If your certificate has lapsed, you do not need to do any bridging or catch-up course. Simply re-enrol in the full course and receive a new Statement of Attainment on the same day.
Where to get certified in North Brisbane
IRFA delivers all three courses — HLTAID009, HLTAID011, and HLTAID012 — at four training venues across North Brisbane and the Moreton Bay region. Every course is delivered by qualified paramedic trainers, with same-day digital certificates issued under RTO 32154.
Redcliffe Peninsula — Redcliffe RSL
Irene Street, Redcliffe QLD 4020. On-site parking. Serving Redcliffe, Scarborough, Clontarf, Kippa-Ring, Margate, and Woody Point. Marine first aid expertise — covering bluebottle stings, near-drowning response, and hypothermia scenarios relevant to Moreton Bay.
North Lakes — Community Centre
10 The Corso, North Lakes QLD 4509. Near Westfield North Lakes. Serving North Lakes, Mango Hill, Griffin, Dakabin, Kallangur, and Morayfield. 1.3 km from Mango Hill Station.
Virginia / Northgate — Northgate Hall
34 Ridge Street, Virginia QLD 4014. 5–10 minutes walk from Northgate Train Station on the Airport/Doomben line. Serving Virginia, Northgate, Banyo, Nudgee, Nundah, and inner north Brisbane.
Caboolture — Caboolture Hub
4 Hasking Street, Caboolture QLD 4510. Walking distance from Caboolture Train Station with free multi-storey parking opposite. Serving Caboolture, Morayfield, Burpengary, Bellmere, and surrounding rural communities.
All four venues offer CPR from $45 and first aid from $95. Sessions run 7 days a week including 7 AM early starts. Group bookings for 8+ people qualify for on-site delivery at your workplace — call 1300 766 298 for a quote.
View all North Brisbane courses and book online →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between HLTAID011 and HLTAID009?
HLTAID009 is a 2-hour CPR-only course ($45) covering chest compressions, rescue breathing, and AED use. HLTAID011 is a 4-hour comprehensive first aid course ($95) that includes everything in HLTAID009 plus wound care, burns, fractures, anaphylaxis, asthma, and other medical emergencies. If your employer requires a “first aid certificate,” you need HLTAID011.
Is HLTAID012 the same as HLTAID011?
HLTAID012 includes all HLTAID011 content plus additional paediatric-specific modules — febrile convulsions, paediatric anaphylaxis and asthma management with spacers, and education and care duty of care obligations. It is the only ACECQA-approved qualification for childcare and education workers in Australia. You receive four certificates from one course.
Do I need HLTAID009 if I already have HLTAID011?
Yes, for annual CPR renewal. While HLTAID011 is valid for 3 years, the CPR component must be renewed every 12 months. Booking a 2-hour HLTAID009 ($45) each year keeps your full first aid certification compliant without redoing the entire HLTAID011 course.
Which course is cheapest?
HLTAID009 CPR is $45 at IRFA — Australia’s lowest nationally accredited CPR price. HLTAID011 and HLTAID012 are both $95. All prices are GST inclusive with no hidden fees. Same-day certificates included.
Can I do these courses online?
The practical components of all three courses must be completed face-to-face — you cannot perform CPR on a mannequin online. IRFA delivers all courses 100% face-to-face with no online pre-learning required. Some other providers offer blended delivery (online theory + practical), but IRFA’s fully hands-on model means you simply show up and complete everything in one session.
What certificates do I receive?
HLTAID009 gives you 1 certificate. HLTAID011 gives you 3 certificates (HLTAID011, HLTAID010, and HLTAID009). HLTAID012 gives you 4 certificates (HLTAID012, HLTAID011, HLTAID010, and HLTAID009). All are nationally recognised Statements of Attainment issued under RTO 32154 and accepted by every employer in Australia.
How quickly do I get my certificate?
Same day. Your digital Statement of Attainment is emailed on successful completion of the course. You can share it with your employer immediately. All certificates are issued directly by IRFA RTO 32154 — not through a third party or reseller.
