My First Aid Certificate / Working with Children Check is due for renewal, will I be able to renew?

We recognise that meeting the compulsory EA Coach renewal requirements for those needing to update First Aid accreditation or a Working with Children Check may appear to be challenging.

The information below is designed to provide some guidance on how you can attain these certificates in the present circumstances.

At the time of re-registering as an EA Coach, if required, a plan will be developed to support the needs of any individual who may be impacted, but the numbers of coaches impacted should be minimal.

This is a fluid and constantly changing situation and the health and welfare of our community is the highest priority.

WORKING WITH CHILDREN: In some states/territories there have been changes to accommodate the challenges associated with updating Working with Children Checks. For example, in NSW more than 100,000 Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearances were due to expire between Macrh and September 2020. Changes to the NSW Child Protection (Working with Children) Act enabled the Children’s Guardian to extend clearances where appropriate to help prevent any disruption to services because of COVID-19.

We recommend contacting your state/territory authority for further information as it may also be possible to renew online.

FIRST AID (Certificate HLTAID003 - Provide First Aid): Many coaches have contacted the EA Office asking for options as some First Aid Courses have been cancelled. Having completed some investigation, it appears that whilst some organisations have suspended training, others are still open for business. At the time of investigating (8 April), the First Aid providers below indicated that they are still operating.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive, nor an endorsed list of providers, merely a list to demonstrate possibilities. This list was compiled by conducting a simple web search - coaches are encouraged to conduct a search for providers to suit their individual needs or who may be located more conveniently for them.

EA also recommend that anyone who enrols in a First Aid Course takes appropriate measures and asks appropriate questions to determine that strict social distancing regulations are being adhered to.