First Aid Training for Aged Care and Disability Support Teams in WA

Aged care and disability support workers are entrusted with the safety and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Whether working in residential facilities, supported accommodation, or home care environments, support staff must be equipped with essential first aid skills to respond to medical incidents confidently and effectively.

In Western Australia, it is a legal and ethical requirement that aged care providers maintain trained personnel with current, nationally recognised first aid qualifications. This article explains the importance of onsite first aid training for aged care and disability support teams, which qualifications are required, and how Perth-based organisations can meet their compliance obligations efficiently.

Why First Aid Training Matters in Aged and Disability Care

Medical emergencies in aged care and disability settings are common and often high-risk. Support staff may encounter:

• Falls and fractures

• Choking or breathing difficulties

• Strokes or heart attacks

• Hypoglycaemia and diabetic emergencies

• Seizures, fainting, and loss of consciousness

• Pressure injuries or bleeding

• Behavioural incidents requiring safe de-escalation and first response

Clients in these environments may have multiple chronic conditions or limited ability to communicate symptoms. Trained carers must recognise signs early and respond appropriately to prevent complications or death.

Required Qualifications for Support Workers

Most aged care and disability support workers are required to complete the nationally recognised unit:

• HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid

• Plus HLTAID009 – Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

These qualifications meet the requirements under:

• The Aged Care Quality Standards (ACQS)

• The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Practice Standards

• Individual provider service agreements and duty-of-care obligations

Staff must hold a current certificate, with:

• CPR renewed every 12 months

• First aid certification renewed every 3 years

Some care providers may also request HLTAID012 where support is provided in child or mixed-age environments.

Why Onsite Group Training is Best for Aged Care Facilities and Disability Providers

Organising first aid training onsite provides key benefits for aged and disability care teams in Perth:

• Training tailored to real workplace conditions

• Minimal disruption to rosters and shift coverage

• Improved knowledge retention through relevant examples

• More cost-effective for groups

• Centralised training records for compliance tracking

At Ready Set Rescue WA, we deliver HLTAID011 and HLTAID009 training directly to your facility or support hub. Our trainers have real-world emergency experience and understand the clinical and behavioural complexities of care work.

What’s Covered in the Training?

Our training for support workers includes instruction in:

• Adult CPR and use of defibrillators (AEDs)

• Response to cardiac arrest and stroke symptoms

• Fall injury management and immobilisation

• Diabetes-related incidents (hypo/hyperglycaemia)

• Seizure first aid and neurological conditions

• Choking management and airway clearance

• Pressure injuries, wounds, and infection control

• Legal responsibilities and effective incident reporting

Training is hands-on, realistic, and fully compliant with Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines.

Who Should Be Trained?

• Personal care assistants (PCAs)

• Enrolled nurses and support staff

• Disability support workers and NDIS providers

• Team leaders and coordinators

• Staff in residential aged care, home care, or community-based services

• New staff undergoing induction or refresher requirements

We recommend training the entire team together to foster consistency, improve team readiness, and simplify record management.

First aid training is essential in aged care and disability support settings, where early intervention can make a critical difference. Ensuring that your staff hold current HLTAID011 and HLTAID009 qualifications is not only a legal requirement but a vital part of delivering safe, quality care.

Ready Set Rescue WA delivers onsite first aid training to aged care and disability providers across Perth. We bring expert instruction, practical scenarios, and full certification directly to your workplace — with flexible scheduling and no hidden costs.

Book your training session today and strengthen your team’s ability to respond when it matters most.