The first aid allowance in the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award applies differently to employees depending on which sector they work in.

To calculate the allowance amount, use our Pay and Conditions Tool.

First aid allowance for employees in the home care sector

Home care employees provide disability care and aged care to clients in their private homes.

Some home care employees must hold a current first aid certificate as part of their job. This doesn’t automatically mean that they receive the first aid allowance.

They only get paid a first aid allowance if they’re:

• required to hold a current first aid certificate

• responsible in a given week for providing first aid to other employees who work for the same employer.

Example - first aid allowance applies

Sameer and Nina are full-time home care employees with the same employer. They both have a current first aid certificate and will provide first aid to clients if needed as part of their duties.

One day a week, they work together to provide personal care to a client who needs more complex assistance.

Their employer has told Sameer that he’s responsible for providing first aid for Nina if needed.

Sameer gets the first aid allowance.

Example - first aid allowance doesn’t apply

Monica works as a home care employee.

Her job is to provide personal care to clients. She has a current first aid certificate and provides first aid to clients if needed as part of her duties.

Monica doesn’t work with any other care workers, and she isn’t responsible for first aid for any other employees.

Monica doesn’t get a first aid allowance.

First aid allowance for employees who aren’t in the home care sector

Employees that aren’t home care employees receive the first aid allowance when they're required by their employer to:

• hold a first aid certificate
• provide first aid in their workplace outside of their normal duties.

Tip: An employee doesn't have to be called a first aid officer to get the allowance. An employee gets the allowance if their employer makes them responsible for providing first aid outside their normal duties.

Employees who aren’t in the home care sector don’t have to be providing first aid to another employee to get the first aid allowance.

Example - first aid allowance applies

Bobbette works for a community services organisation as a youth engagement officer.

In addition to her youth engagement officer role, Bobbette is also required to have a first aid certificate because her employer has made her responsible for providing first aid to clients, volunteers, and other staff members in an emergency.

Her responsibility for first aid isn’t part of her job description.

Bobbette is entitled to receive the first aid allowance.

Example - first aid allowance doesn't apply

Karl is a personal care worker employed by a supported independent living organisation. He isn't a home care employee.

His main duties are to provide care and support to his clients, which may involve administering first aid where necessary as a part of his role.

Karl isn’t appointed to perform first aid outside of his normal duties of providing care to his clients.

Because first aid is required as part of his duties, and he isn’t appointed to provide first aid outside of his primary role, Karl isn’t entitled to receive the first aid allowance