Mental Health First Aid Training — Nationally Recognised (PUARCV001)
The AQF-accredited unit of competency in mental health first aid — delivered online or onsite to your team, Australia-wide.
Mental health at work isn’t a “nice to have” anymore.
Most mental health first aid training in Australia isn’t formally accredited under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Ours is. PUARCV001 Provide Psychological First Aid is a nationally recognised unit of competency — delivered online for self-paced individual enrolments, or onsite at your workplace anywhere in Australia for team cohorts. Every participant finishes with a Statement of Attainment recognised nationally.
Under Australia’s psychosocial hazard laws, every workplace has a duty to actively manage risks to worker mental health — not just physical safety.
Psychological First Aid is the practical, evidence-based skill that turns good intentions into confident action. When a colleague is struggling — with grief, burnout, trauma or a bad day that’s become a bad month — someone on your team knows exactly what to say and exactly what to do.
It’s not therapy. It’s not a diagnosis. It’s the calm, capable response that keeps people safe in the moments that matter most — and keeps your workplace compliant, connected and resilient.
What you’ll walk away able to do
Six practical skills your workplace can put to work on Monday morning.
Spot the signs early
Recognise when a mate, colleague or team member is struggling — before a hard moment becomes a crisis.
Start the hard conversation
Open the “are you OK?” conversation with genuine confidence, real care and the right language.
Provide safe, immediate support
Deliver evidence-based psychological first aid in the minutes and hours that matter most.
Know when to refer on
Connect people to the right professional help — without overstepping your role or making things worse.
Protect your own wellbeing
Avoid vicarious stress and burnout while you support others through theirs.
Evidence your compliance
Earn a nationally recognised certification that satisfies WHS auditors and psychosocial hazard obligations.
AQF-accredited vs non-accredited mental health first aid training — what’s the difference?
Most mental health first aid programs in Australia are valuable, but not nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework. PUARCV001 is. Here’s what that means for your team:
| AQF-accredited (this course) | Non-accredited programs |
|---|---|
| Statement of Attainment recognised nationally | Certificate of Completion only |
| Counted toward higher qualifications (pathway) | Not a formal pathway |
| ASQA-regulated delivery (RTO 45189) | Provider-regulated |
| Assessed against formal competency criteria | Varies by provider |
Both types of training have a place. If your team needs a nationally portable qualification that counts on a resume and toward higher study, choose the AQF-accredited route. If you just want awareness-level exposure, a non-accredited program may be enough.
Who this course is for
PFA isn’t just for emergency services. It’s a workplace skill for anyone whose job brings them into contact with other people — and the hard days those people are having.
- Managers, supervisors and team leaders
- HR, People & Culture and wellbeing leads
- Frontline workers in construction, mining, transport and logistics
- Retail, hospitality and customer-facing teams
- First aid officers, safety reps and HSRs
- Mental Health First Aid officers wanting practical tools
- Teachers, educators and community workers
- Anyone who works with vulnerable people or the public
Nationally accredited. Built for the real world.
This isn’t a certificate of attendance. It’s a nationally recognised unit of competency you can point to in a WHS audit, a procurement tender, or a capability matrix — backed by training built for Australian workplaces.
Nationally Recognised
Delivered to the standards of the Australian Qualifications Framework. Unit code PUARCV001 — accepted by WHS auditors, corporate procurement and industry regulators across Australia.
Online & Self-Paced
Start today. Learn on any device. Complete on your own schedule — no classroom, no travel, no team rostering headaches.
For Australian Workplaces
Scenarios drawn from real Australian industries — not imported theory. Aligned to current WHS and psychosocial hazard legislation.
Enrolment Options
Choose the delivery mode that works best for you or your organisation.
Online — Self-Paced
- Study online from anywhere in Australia
- 1 day to complete (typically, for motivated learners) — with 3 months access to the self-paced course
- Interactive modules with video and case studies
- Nationally recognised Statement of Attainment
- Ideal for individuals and remote teams
Onsite — Workplace
- Delivered onsite at your workplace, anywhere in Australia
- Tailored scenarios relevant to your industry
- Expert facilitator-led, interactive group training
- Nationally recognised Statement of Attainment
- Group discounts available
- Flexible scheduling to suit your team
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the PUARCV001 Psychological First Aid course.
What is Psychological First Aid (PFA)?
Psychological First Aid is an evidence-based approach to providing immediate mental health support to people affected by a crisis, disaster, traumatic event, or distressing situation. It involves recognising signs of distress, providing emotional and practical support, helping people feel safe and connected, and linking them with appropriate professional services. PFA is not counselling or therapy — it is a set of practical skills that any person can learn and apply in everyday workplace and community situations.
Is this course a mental health first aid course?
This course delivers core mental health first aid skills — recognising distress, providing immediate support, and linking people with professional help. The key difference is that PUARCV001 Provide Psychological First Aid is a nationally recognised unit of competency within the PUA Public Safety Training Package, resulting in a Statement of Attainment under the Australian Qualifications Framework. It teaches you how to provide mental health support in any workplace, not just emergency or frontline settings. If you’ve been looking for practical mental health first aid training for yourself or your team, this course delivers exactly those skills with a formal, nationally recognised credential.
Is Psychological First Aid only for emergency workers?
Absolutely not. While PFA originated in emergency response settings, the unit PUARCV001 is designed for workers across all industries. Managers, HR professionals, team leaders, WHS officers, educators, healthcare workers, retail staff, construction workers, FIFO workers, hospitality professionals — anyone who interacts with people at work can benefit from PFA skills. In fact, with Australian WHS regulations now requiring businesses to manage psychosocial hazards, PFA training is becoming essential across every sector.
How is PFA different from Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)?
Both courses aim to equip people with skills to support others in psychological distress, but they differ in structure and credentialing. PFA (PUARCV001) is a nationally recognised unit of competency that results in a Statement of Attainment under the AQF, while MHFA™ is a separate trademarked program with its own certification. PFA focuses on immediate crisis response and practical support, while MHFA has a broader focus on recognising developing mental health conditions. PFA can be completed in one day and is available online or onsite. Many organisations value both, and the skills are complementary.
Do I need any prerequisites to enrol?
No prior qualifications, experience, or industry-specific background is required. PUARCV001 is designed for anyone who wants to build their capacity to provide psychological first aid — from complete beginners to experienced professionals looking to gain a formal credential. It is suitable for people from all industries, roles, and backgrounds.
What qualification will I receive?
Upon successful completion, you will receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for PUARCV001 — Provide Psychological First Aid, issued by FMS Training (RTO 45189). This is a formal credential under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and can be used for professional development records, CPD logs, WHS compliance documentation, and as evidence of training in psychosocial hazard management.
Can this course be delivered at my workplace?
Yes. We have experienced trainers available nationwide and deliver workplace PFA training anywhere in Australia. Our onsite course is tailored to your industry with scenarios relevant to your team — ideal for upskilling multiple staff at once, with no travel or rostering headaches for your people. Submit an enquiry or call 1300 699 150 for a customised group quote.
Does this course help with WHS psychosocial hazard compliance?
Yes. Australian WHS laws are increasingly focused on psychosocial hazards in the workplace, and regulators expect businesses to take practical steps to manage these risks. Having staff trained in PUARCV001 Provide Psychological First Aid demonstrates a proactive commitment to managing psychosocial hazards and meeting your duty of care obligations. The Statement of Attainment provides formal evidence of this training for audits and compliance records.
How do I enrol in the online course?
Click the “Enrol Now” button on this page to access the online enrolment form. Complete the form and payment ($600 per person, GST inclusive — normally $900), and you’ll receive access to start the course. If you have any questions, call us on 1300 699 150 or email info@fms.edu.au.