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.

In addition, the provision of first aid must be outside of 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. She has a Bachelor of Community Services and has experience working in other crisis centres.

In her role Bobbette coordinates outreach programs, works with case workers, onboards new clients, and coordinates volunteers. She works under the direction of a programs co-ordinator.

She’s employed as a level 5 social and community services worker.

Bobbette is also required by her employer to have a first aid certificate so that she can administer first aid to clients, volunteers, and other staff members in an emergency outside of her normal role.

Administering 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 business. He works in a house which is owned by the business, caring for 2 clients that live there.

Karl has a Certificate III in individual support and is required to hold a first aid certificate as a part of his job description.

Karl is a social and community services employee level 2.

As part of his duties, he’s expected to provide first aid to his clients.

Because first aid is required as part of his duties, Karl isn’t entitled to receive the first aid allowance.