• Section 1 - Summary
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Policy/Regulation
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Part A - Summary of Roles and Responsibilities
• Part B - General
• Section 5 - HESF/ASQA/ESOS Alignment
• Section 6 - Definitions

Section 1 - Summary

(1) This Procedure ensures Victoria University (VU) provides adequate first aid services across all campuses and activities, regularly reviews first aid requirements, maintains sufficient trained First Aiders, defines required qualifications and training, and guides the purchase and maintenance of first aid kits.

Section 2 - Scope

(2) This Procedure applies across the University and to all University employees and students.

Section 3 - Policy/Regulation

(3) Health and Safety Policy

Section 4 - Procedures

Part A - Summary of Roles and Responsibilities

Part B - General

Communication

(4) All workplace First Aiders must have their photograph, work location (building, floor and room) as well as their telephone extension number advertised on a poster within their local work area. They should be introduced to all new staff starting as well as any staff transferring from other locations to the immediate work area within the University.

(5) All First Aiders will be listed by campus, building and floor level on a directory held on the HSW Team website on the intranet. Should a workplace First Aiders' work location be changed (for a period of 4 weeks or more) all posters should be updated, local occupants notified of change, HSW team notified to amend registers and other First Aiders in the building informed of the change.

First Aid Assessments

(6) First Aid Assessments must be completed for all VU workplaces and activities in accordance with the Worksafe Victoria Compliance Code.

(7) Assessments must consider occupancy, nature of activities, and identified health and safety hazards across the workplace, building and campus.

(8) Health and safety Representatives and relevant staff must be consulted during the assessment.

(9) Activity-based risk assessments must include first aid requirements for on- and off-campus activities, and first aid arrangements must be communicated to participants where reasonably practicable.

Training

(10) Designated First Aiders must hold a minimum of HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid (or equivalent). Re-certification is required every three (3) years with HLTAID009 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

(11) Where identified in the First Aid Assessment, First Aiders must complete additional task-specific training (e.g. burns, chemical exposure, eye injuries). Recertification is required every three (3) years, with annual CPR refresher.

(12) Remote and field activities require a minimum of HLTAID013 Remote First Aid Course and some courses require SISSS00140 Wilderness First Aid.

1. First Aiders in areas with emergency showers or eye/face wash stations must be trained and have completed at least one practical equipment test.

(13) VU offers Mental Health First Aid training for staff who wish to support individuals experiencing mental health concerns.

(14) Training costs are paid by the First Aider’s department. Manager approval is required, and quarterly invoices are issued to the relevant cost centre.

(15) First Aid training must be booked via the VU website, by clicking “Apply”, logging in or registering as a new user, completing all required fields with valid ID, obtaining manager approval, and emailing firstaid@vu.edu.au after submission for registration tracking.

Emergency Evacuations

(16) During evacuations or drills, First Aiders must wear a green cap and carry a portable first aid kit for identification.

(17) First Aiders should ideally not serve as Wardens; if they do, warden duties take priority, and another First Aider should attend to injured persons.

(18) First Aiders must communicate with the Chief Warden via Emergency Warning and Intercommunication System (EWIS) or Fire Indicator Panel. Refer to local Emergency Response procedures.

(19) If someone is injured and cannot be moved during an evacuation, the First Aider must notify the Chief Warden via Warden Intercom or through the Emergency Warden.

First Aid Kits

(20) First Aid kits will be provided by the Department where the First Aider is based, and all costs will be covered by that Department. First Aiders are responsible for maintaining their kits, ensuring all items are up to date and compliant with the HSW-3.3-F-07-1.0 First Aid Kit Content checklist and HSW-3.3-F-08-1.0 First Aid Kit Content checklist for small kit bum bag.

(21) Kits must remain accessible to all workplace occupants.

(22) Kits for remote area activities must meet first aid requirements as per Australian Adventure Activity Standard (AAAS).

(23) First Aiders must identify items requiring replacement, request them through their manager, and orders will be fulfilled and funded by the Department with manager authorisation.

Recording of First Aid

(24) All First Aid activity and use of VU provided first aid products should be reported on ELUMINA QuickSafe either by the injured staff member or on behalf of an injured student or visitor.

Immunisation

(25) It is recommended that all VU First Aiders are immunised against Hepatitis B.

Section 5 - HESF/ASQA/ESOS Alignment

(26) HESF: Standard 2.3 Wellbeing and Safety.

(27) Compliance Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations and FPP Requirements 2025: Standard 20 Compliance with Laws.

(28) National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (Cth): Standard 6 Overseas Student Support Services.

(29) ISO 45001:2018 Clause 6.1,7.2,7.3,8.1.1,8.1.2,8.1.4.

Section 6 - Definitions

(30) First Aider : A staff member who has:

1. A current qualification in HLTAID011 Provide First Aid;
2. Undertaken annual training in HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation;
3. Been approved by their supervisor to act in an official capacity, administering first aid to staff, students, visitors and contractors as required.

(31) Remote Area: as being 1 hour from definitive care (arrival at a hospital).