Payment of the first aid allowance

All designated first aid officers are paid an allowance (as specified in the Collective Agreements) by the faculty or unit nominating the first aid officer for training/recertification. First aid officers working part-time are paid the allowance on a pro-rata basis.

Following their successful completion of their training/recertification course, first aid officers must forward a copy of their Senior First Aid Certificate to Safety & Wellbeing to ensure payment of the first aid allowance.

The allowance will be paid for the duration of the staff member's appointment as a first aid officer, with the following exceptions, during:

• an absence lasting four weeks or more on annual leave, sick leave, long service leave, paid exchange or secondment, parental leave, or a professional experience program
• any absence on leave without pay (including sick leave without pay).

The first aid officer must inform the person in their faculty or unit who is responsible for coordination of first aid officers and Safety and Wellbeing of their plans for absences so that alternative arrangements may be made for coverage in the affected area by another nearby first aid officer.

Since the allowance for first aid officers is paid by a specific faculty or unit, it may not be appropriate for a first aid officer to continue in this role if transferred between workplaces. A certified first aid officer who changes faculty or unit can still perform first aid duties, but will not be paid the first aid allowance unless they are authorised to do so by the current faculty or unit on a nomination form.

The first aid officer must inform the person who is responsible for coordination of first aid officers within their faculty or unit of their plans for absences so that alternative arrangements may be made for coverage in the affected area by another nearby first aid officer.

Since the allowance for first aid officers is paid by a specific faculty or unit, it may not be appropriate for a first aid officer to continue in this role if transferred between workplaces. However, UTS can still recognise their skills by nominating them as deputy first aid officers, for example. In such instances, such staff members will not receive the first aid allowance.