ATSO training
The ASTP facilitates both online and in-person training throughout the year.
To help ATSOs in their role, ASTP facilitates mandatory training including:
- child protection
- code of conduct
- anaphylaxis
- e-Emergency care
- cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
To support students with complex health and/or behaviour needs ATSOs need to ensure their training is renewed on a regular basis as to maintain currency.
From time to time the department may request the completion of additional courses.
Students cannot be transported until the appropriate training of the ATSO has taken place.
Online training
As a Department of Education employee and your role as an ATSO, you are required to complete the below mandatory online training which can be found on the MyPL Mandatory Training under the 'School Staff' column.
Please use a desktop computer or laptop (not a tablet or mobile device) when undertaking online training and Google Chrome as your internet browser. If you need technical assistance, please contact MyPL via their 'Help' link.
ATSOs must complete 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. Please do not email certificates for completed courses to the ASTP.
| 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 Induction for Employees | 20 | Once only |
| e-Emergency Care | 120 | Every 3 years |
| Code of Conduct Online (choose the “New School-based employees”) |
20 | Annually |
| Child Protection Update 2023 (choose the pathway for ASTP staff) |
40 | Annually |
| Fraud and Corruption Control | 30 | Annually |
| Cyber Security NSW Essentials Training | 45 | Annually |
| Data Breach Preparedness Training (choose the “Reporting Data Breaches”) |
10 | Every 5 years |
| Aboriginal Cultural Education Training | 60 | Every 3 years |
| Anti-Racism Policy Training | 30 | Every 2 years |
Successfully completed mandatory online training courses will be paid for the duration times listed within the course table. Please note that additional MyPL courses will not be paid.
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. The ATSO will be advised of the amount they can claim.
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 two weeks before the scheduled event. Please monitor your departmental email regularly for updates.
If you have completed a first aid course with a private provider please check with ASTP by email 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.