Independent Schools Victoria Compliance Framework

Day to day operational issues including records management, food safety and privacy.

First Aid

Please scroll to the bottom of the page for contacts and links

Do you need to comply?

Yes, under the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic.) and the duty of care obligation that a school has to its students.

Conditions of compliance

Your school is responsible for providing first aid facilities and sufficient staff trained to an appropriate level of competency in first aid.

If you have to comply, what do you have to do?

As part of the duty of care owed to students, teachers are required to administer first aid when necessary within the limits of their skill, expertise and training.

It should be noted that a teacher's duty is greater than that of the ordinary citizen in that a teacher is obliged to assist an injured student, while the ordinary citizen may choose to do nothing.

In the case of serious injury or illness, neither the principal nor the teacher is required to diagnose or treat the condition apart from carrying out the appropriate first aid procedures. Diagnosis and treatment are the responsibility of the ambulance officer or medical practitioner in attendance.

First aid training

The range of activities undertaken by schools means that the type and level of first aid training will vary according to the responsibilities and duties of individual teachers. In identifying the training needed by staff, principals will need to take into account factors such as the nature of the activities and their location, potential hazards and risks, and previous accidents and injuries.

What are the consequences if you don't comply?

You may be in breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic.) and your duty of care obligations.

Who will help you?

Independent Schools Victoria contact:

Elspeth Adamson
Manager, Student Services
Ph: 03 9825 7204
elspeth.adamson@independentschools.vic.edu.au

Annia Dear
Risk and Compliance Advisor
Ph. 03 9825 7275
annia.dear@independentschools.vic.edu.au

Other links:

DEECD: Victorian Government Schools Reference Guide Section 4.5

DEECD: Human Resources - First Aid

DHS: Blue Book - Guidelines for the Control of Infectious Diseases

Please note: The Schools Reference Guide link contains a list of items to be included in a first aid room (sick bay), whilst the second link includes, amongst other things, guidelines for setting up the whole first aid program, and a list of DEECD-approved training providers.

Submitted 9/14/2006, edited 12/14/2007.