ATSO training
The ASTP assists ATSOs to meet mandatory requirements by facilitating both online and in-person training throughout the year.
Introduction to training
As Department of Education employees, Assisted Travel Support Officers (ATSOs) must complete a range of mandatory training as a condition of their employment. This includes pre-service/induction training and recurring training to maintain currency.
To support students with complex health and/or behaviour needs ATSOs must meet their mandatory training requirements and have the skills and essential knowledge for their role.
For more information, see the Mandatory training procedures or the Your mandatory training - ATSO page.
Students cannot be transported until the appropriate training of the ATSO has taken place.
Online training
A range of mandatory online training courses can be found on the MyPL Mandatory Training web page under the ‘School Staff’ column. It is preferable to use a desktop or laptop for the best experience with online training. However, MyPL courses are designed to be compatible across most systems and should still work on mobile and tablet devices.
Successfully completed mandatory online training courses will be paid for the duration times listed within the course table. If additional training is required for students with higher level needs (e.g. specialised health care), the school is required to make arrangements with the ASTP (if confirmed the ASTP will inform ATSOs of the payments for approved specialised training).
Please note that additional MyPL courses will not be paid.
ATSOs must complete pre-service courses before starting on a run and ALL courses within 6 weeks of receiving a letter of offer and then a minimum of 2 weeks before expiry. Reminder emails will be sent to ATSOs who need to renew relevant courses.
Pre-service training
Pre-service training courses are required for ATSOs before they can work with students.
Newly engaged ATSOs are required to email atso.astp@det.nsw.edu.au with a PDF, screenshot or picture of their MyPL Learning Transcript, that clearly shows their name.
| Course name | Course duration and time paid (minutes) |
Course frequency |
|---|---|---|
| ASTP - ATSO Training Essentials (click the “Browse Learning” link and search for “ATSO”) |
30 | Once only |
| Child Protection Awareness Induction Training | 30 | Once only |
| Work, Health and Safety for Employees | 20 | Once only |
| Public interest disclosures (PIDs) - reporting serious wrongdoing | 20 | Once only |
| Code of Ethics and Conduct (PSC) |
20 | Once only |
| e-Emergency Care | 120 | Every 3 years |
Ongoing training
| Course name | Course duration and time paid (minutes) |
Course frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Child Protection Update 2024 (choose the pathway for ASTP staff) |
30 |
Annually |
| Code of Ethics and Conduct (PSC) | 20 | Annually |
| Cyber Security NSW Essentials Training | 45 | Annually |
| Fraud and Corruption Control |
30 | Annually |
| Anti-Racism Policy Training |
30 | Every 2 years |
| Aboriginal Cultural Education Training |
60 | Every 3 years |
| e-Emergency Care |
120 | Every 3 years |
| Data Breach Preparedness Training (choose the “Reporting Data Breaches” option) |
10 | Every 5 years |
From time to time the department may request the completion of additional courses.
Find out more about ATSO payments.
In-person training
The ATSO training team conducts in-person CPR, Anaphylaxis and Professional Development training at various locations across NSW throughout the year.
Eligible ATSOs will be sent an email invitation and SMS approximately three weeks before the scheduled event. Please monitor your departmental email regularly for updates.
ATSOs who have completed a first aid course with a private provider must email the ASTP atso.astp@det.nsw.edu.au to see if the course is recognised and approved. Course fees and training time are at the individual's own expense.
Please check the tentative ATSO training schedule for the dates and locations.
Additional training for students with higher level needs
Schools play an important role in supporting ATSOs. They are responsible for facilitating individual health care training for ATSOs and providing a copy of the health care or behaviour plan.
Sometimes students on assisted school travel have specialised emergency health support or behaviour support needs. This may mean that ATSOs require extra training in addition to the mandatory training provided by the ASTP. If additional training is required, the school must first make arrangements with the ASTP.
ATSOs supporting students with additional health care needs must have up to date training in CPR, Anaphylaxis and e-Emergency Care as a minimum requirement.
Learn more about additional training for ATSOs.