Most people booking HLTAID010 in Brisbane get handed a course code by their employer, not a checklist. So this page is the checklist, with all the BELS course requirements laid out in plain English. The full name is HLTAID010 Provide Basic Emergency Life Support, but most rostering emails just call it BELS.
Good news first: there’s no prerequisite units and you don’t need an old first aid certificate. You’ll just need to be the right age, bring a photo ID, have a USI (Unique Student Identifier), finish your pre-course learning, and do some CPR on the floor. It’s nationally recognised training through RTO 31106 (a registered training organisation), and your Statement of Attainment is the certificate your employer wants uploaded, whether you work in disability support, aged care, NDIS or security.
Below we’ll go through minimum age, photo ID, your USI, the pre-course learning, the CPR floor assessment, a couple of other entry requirements, what to bring, and getting your certificate to your employer. Still not sure HLTAID010 is the right course? Start with our guide on which BELS course you need. Otherwise, the what-to-bring checklist near the end has everything in one spot.
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What Are the Requirements for a BELS Course?
To enrol in and pass HLTAID010 Provide Basic Emergency Life Support (BELS), you need to meet five requirements. There are no prerequisite units, and you don’t need a previous first aid certificate.
- 1. Meet the minimum enrolment age, with parent or guardian consent if you are under 18.
- 2. Bring current photo ID, such as a driver licence or passport.
- 3. Have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) so your certificate can be issued.
- 4. Finish the pre-course online learning before your course day.
- 5. Perform uninterrupted CPR on an adult manikin on the floor.
You also need basic English reading and writing skills to complete the assessment.
BELS requirements at a glance
Requirement | What you need | If you don’t have it |
Age | Minimum enrolment age | Parent or guardian consent if under 18 |
Photo ID | Current photo ID | Call before your course |
USI | Your 10-character number | Create it at usi.gov.au |
Pre-course learning | Completed before the day | Check inbox and spam for the login |
CPR on the floor | Uninterrupted CPR, adult manikin | Talk to us first about injuries |
🎂 Age check: The unit itself doesn't set a minimum age. Your training provider does.
Minimum Age for a BELS Course
The first of the BELS course requirements to check before booking is whether you meet the age rules. It’s the quickest box to tick, and for most support workers it’s already ticked.
What is the minimum age?
If you’ve been shopping around online, you might have noticed that the minimum age for a first aid course changes from one website to the next. Some providers say 12, some say 14, and some won’t take anyone under 18. That’s not because one of them has it wrong.
The HLTAID010 unit doesn’t set an age. Each training provider sets its own in its enrolment policy, so the number you see depends on who’s running the course. Check the age rule when you book, and give us a call if you’re unsure.
Under 18? What parents or guardians need to do
If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian needs to give consent before you can enrol.
This mostly comes up for school leavers and teenagers starting casual work at swim schools or other aquatic jobs, where an employer wants BELS before the first shift. If that’s you, sort the consent form out when you book so it’s not a scramble in the morning.
Photo ID: What You Need to Show on the Day
Once you know you’re eligible, the next thing is proving who you are. Of all the HLTAID010 requirements, this one’s the easiest to forget when you’re rushing out the door after a night shift.
Bring current photo ID, such as a driver licence or passport.
Why the trainer checks your ID
As a registered training organisation, we have to confirm the person being assessed is the same person the certificate gets issued to. It’s not about doubting you. It just means the Statement of Attainment your employer receives is backed up properly.
Your names need to match
The name on your ID, your booking and your USI should all be the same. If one says Kaz, one says Karen, and one still has your maiden name, your certificate can get held up while it’s sorted out. Mismatched names are one of the most common reasons certificates run late.
🪪 Name check: Name on ID = name on booking = name on USI.
Your USI: Why You Need One and How to Get It
Your ID gets you through the door. Your USI gets your certificate issued. This is the part that trips up the most people, so it’s worth sorting well before course day.
What is a USI?
USI stands for Unique Student Identifier. It’s a 10-character reference number you keep for life, and it links all the nationally recognised training you’ve done in Australia to one record.
Every student has needed one since 1 January 2015, under the Student Identifiers Act 2014 (usi.gov.au). You might see other dates floating around online, but 2015 is the right one.
Why your certificate depends on it
A training provider can’t issue your Statement of Attainment without a verified USI. It’s the law, not our choice.
In plain terms: no USI means no certificate, and no certificate means nothing to upload for your rostering coordinator. That’s the last thing you want when your shifts depend on it.
How to create your USI
- 1. Go to usi.gov.au and choose Create a USI.
- 2. Enter your personal details.
- 3. Verify your identity with one form of ID, like a driver licence, Medicare card, Australian passport or birth certificate.
- 4. Save your USI number. Screenshot it and keep it in your phone notes.
Already have a USI?
If you can’t remember it, use Find your USI on usi.gov.au. It’s quicker than setting up a new one, and you won’t end up with two records.
Can the training provider create it for me?
Training providers are allowed to create a USI for you if you give permission. If you’re stuck, give us a call and ask about it before your course.
💻 Homework first: The theory is done online before you arrive, so don't leave it for the night before.
Finishing Your Pre-Course Online Learning
With your USI sorted, there’s one job to finish at home. Your HLTAID010 pre-course learning is the theory part of the course, done online before you walk in.
What it covers
It goes through recognising an emergency, DRSABCD and the basics of your duty of care. It’s the groundwork, so the practical day makes a lot more sense.
When it’s due
It needs to be finished before your course starts. Treat it like part of the course, because it is.
A few tips that save a lot of stress
- Look for your login email straight after you book, and check your spam folder too
- Don't leave it until the night before a shift, as you'll be tired and it always takes longer than you think
- If the login hasn't come through, call the office and we'll resend it
💻 Screen tip: Use a computer or tablet if you can. Online learning works a lot better on a bigger screen than on your phone.
The CPR Floor Assessment: HLTAID010 Physical Requirements
The theory is done online. The practical part is where most people’s nerves kick in, and that’s completely normal. Here’s exactly what the HLTAID010 physical requirements look like, so nothing catches you off guard.
What you’ll be asked to do
- Uninterrupted CPR on an adult manikin on the floor
- CPR on an infant manikin
- Putting someone in the recovery position
Everything you learn follows the ANZCOR guidelines from the Australian Resuscitation Council. That’s the same standard used by first aiders right across Australia.
Why it has to be on the floor
Real emergencies don’t happen on a nice waist-high bench. A client collapses in the bathroom, or on the lounge room carpet, or beside the bed. The floor requirement is written into the unit itself, so it’s not something your trainer decides on the day.
Worried about your knees or back?
Lots of people feel this way, especially after years of care work. Lifting, bending and transfers take a toll, so it makes sense to feel a bit nervous about kneeling for CPR.
The best thing you can do is give us a call before you book and talk it through. Let us know about any injury or condition, and we’ll chat about what support is available.
To be upfront with you, support can make it more comfortable, but you still need to do the CPR on the floor to be found competent. It can’t be skipped. Having that conversation early means you’ll know what to expect well before the day.
Only need CPR? Ask us about our HLTAID009 CPR course.
📘 Good news: There are no prerequisite units, and basic English is all the assessment asks for.
Other HLTAID010 Entry Requirements: English Skills and Prerequisites
Beyond the physical side, there are only a couple of other things to know.
Are there any prerequisites?
No. There are no HLTAID010 prerequisites, so you don’t need to finish another unit first or hold an old first aid certificate.
There is one thing worth checking. If you already have a current HLTAID011 (full first aid), it includes HLTAID010, so you might not need BELS separately. Have a quick word with your employer before booking, or read our guide on which BELS course you need.
Language, literacy and numeracy
You’ll need basic English to complete the assessment. In practice, that means:
- Reading short questions
- Filling in a form
- Describing an incident out loud
It’s everyday stuff, not an exam. If English is your second language, call us before booking and we’ll talk through the support available.
If you’re unsure about any of this, give us a ring before you book. Plenty of people call with the exact same question, and it’s always better to ask than to worry about it.
What to Bring and Wear to Your BELS Course
Here’s everything from the BELS course requirements in one place for the morning of your course. Tick it off the night before and you’ll walk in calm, not flustered.
- Photo ID
- USI number
- Pre-course learning completed
- Booking confirmation
- Comfortable clothes: pants and flat, closed shoes (you'll be kneeling and on the floor)
- Water bottle, and reading glasses if you need them
📋 Handy tip: Screenshot this list and keep it on your phone, so it's there on the morning without digging through emails.
After Your Course: Getting Your Certificate to Your Employer
Once you’ve finished, the next step is getting your certificate to your employer. For most support workers, this is the bit that actually keeps you on the roster.
When your certificate arrives
Your Statement of Attainment is sent to you once you’ve been found competent. Keep an eye on your inbox, and your spam folder, so you can pass it on straight away.
What your employer looks for
When your coordinator checks your certificate, they’re looking for:
- The unit code: HLTAID010
- Your full name
- The RTO number: 31106
- Your completion date
They need the certificate itself, not your USI. Just upload the PDF and you’re done.
Renewals
The Australian Resuscitation Council recommends regular CPR refreshers, so don’t let it slide once you’ve got your certificate. For the full renewal cycle, see our guide on which BELS course you need.
👥 Group training: Manage NDIS or aged care staff? Ask us about group BELS training at your workplace.
Your Next Steps
That’s all the BELS course requirements in one place. None of it is hard, it’s really just a matter of doing things in the right order so nothing catches you out the week your certificate is due.
Start by checking you meet the age and ID requirements, since they’re the quickest to sort. Then create or find your USI at usi.gov.au. If you’ve done a Cert III, you’ve most likely already got one, so look it up rather than making a new one.
Once that’s done, book your HLTAID010 course at a time that fits around your roster. Keep an eye on your inbox, and your spam folder, for the login email, and finish your online learning as soon as it arrives instead of leaving it for the night before a shift.
On the morning of your course, grab your checklist, wear something you can kneel in comfortably, and head in knowing you’ve got it all sorted. And if anything above has you second-guessing whether you’re ready, give us a call and we’ll check it with you.
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