An APLS course is aimed at doctors, nurses and paramedics looking to increase their confidence and skills within a wide range of paediatric emergencies. A full overview of the course can be found here.

APLS is an accredited course offering RACGP and ACRRM points. Upon successful completion of the course including practical and written assessments and a comprehensive pre-course online learning package, candidates are issued with a certificate valid for five years.

Courses take place in hospitals and training centres all over Australia, and candidates travelling to APLS courses usually stay in hotels close to the course centre.

As with all our courses, we recommend at least 4-6 weeks preparation time before taking a course to give you time to thoroughly read the APLS manual and complete the pre-course online learning. Candidates would be discouraged from registering for a course with less than four weeks to prepare.

PLS – PLS is our one day Paediatric Life Support course, covering the basics of emergency paediatric management.

Focused on the first ten minutes of emergency paediatric care and following the same structured approach as the APLS course, PLS is aimed at doctors, nurses and paramedics as an introduction to paediatric emergency management. PLS candidates are assessed on key components, and receive a certificate valid for five years upon successful completion.

PLS courses are usually held within hospitals and may be exclusive to staff of that hospital only. Please contact the Nursing Educator within your organisation in the first instance. APLS does offer a PLS course annually which is open to all participants, with registrations via our course calendar. For further information, contact the PLS Course Administrator at APLS HQ via pls@apls.org.au.

How do I find an APLS / PLS course close to me?

You can find all coming APLS and PLS courses on our course calendar. You can refine your search by state, date and course type in the menu above the calendar.

How do I pay for a course?

Online payment by Visa, Mastercard or AMEX is required to register and secure your place on an APLS course. In special circumstances, by contacting finance@apls.org.au an invoice can be issued and payment can be received by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

What are the entry requirements?

The APLS course is designed for doctors, nurses and paramedics with a minimum of two years’ clinical experience.

If you are within two years post-graduation please delay your enrolment in the APLS three day program until you have more clinical experience.

There are currently significant waitlists for clinicians to attend the Advanced Paediatric Life Support three day program. This includes many clinicians whose attendance is a requirement for them to complete their specialist training.

The APLS three day program is designed for more experienced clinicians. Two-thirds of the program is focused on the critically ill and injured child prior to arrest. Candidates on the APLS three day program reinforce their prior knowledge via small interprofessional, multi-specialist (anesthesia, emergency, paediatrics, general practice, intensive care) group discussions and ‘hands on’ team leader scenarios. There is a focus of application to the individual’s clinical settings. Attending the three day program prior to having significant clinical experience impacts on the peer-peer learning that occurs in these small groups.

For more junior clinicians, we recommend the one day Paediatric Life Support (PLS) course. This will support you with four hours pre-course online learning modules and a one day face-to-face program with interactive skills, discussion group and team-based scenarios. The PLS program is designed to provide clinicians with a structured and safe way for managing an arrested and critically ill or injured child.

How much pre-course preparation time should I allow?

Preparation is essential to get the best outcomes from your APLS course.

Completing the APLS online learning is mandatory before attending a face-to-face course. A strong understanding of this content will be assumed during scenarios, workshops and skill stations, which aim to build on knowledge already gained from the APLS manual and online learning.

Completing the online learning package takes around 8-10 hours.

All candidates will also receive a digital copy of the APLS manual 6-8 weeks before their course and APLS recommends at least eight hours reading time, as the manual contains close to 500 pages.

Though places are sometimes still available up to the day before a course, we strongly advise against booking with less than a month until a course due to the intensive preparation demands.

The three day course is intensive with full days, and most candidates find it impossible to catch up with reading during the course. So please allow plenty of time to prepare in advance and ensure you have read and understood the online learning and manual in full.

What will I receive once I register for a course?

You will receive a digital copy of the APLS manual and pre-course pack which includes all the information about your course. APLS candidates will receive access to the pre-course online learning, accessible via My APLS. PLS candidates will also receive a pre-course MCQ. The manual and pre-course paperwork will either be sent to your home address or via email, or in the case of PLS, it will be distributed by your local hospital.

How do I access the pre-course online learning?

Log into My APLS and click the APLS Online Learning tab.

Your access is available from the day you register and pay for the course until one month following the face-to-face program.

Do I have to complete all of the online learning before my course?

Yes. Preparation is essential to get the best outcomes from your APLS course and completing the online learning before the course is mandatory.

Your progress will be monitored by APLS and provided to the course director when you attend. Reminder emails and text messages will be sent to you one month, two weeks and one week before the face-to-face course.

If you do not complete all components of the online learning before your access expires you will not receive your APLS completion certificate. If there are extenuating circumstances which will stop you from completing the online learning before it expires, please contact the APLS office.

Can I access the online learning from my tablet or phone?

Yes. APLS online learning is accessible from all desktop, tablet and mobile devices with an internet connection. Your progress will be automatically saved as you work through the e-learning so you can start a module on one device and continue it later on another.

What grade do I need to pass the pre-course online learning?

Completing the online learning before attending a face-to-face course is mandatory, but your score does not count towards your APLS certification. All formal testing takes place during the face-to-face course.

Your progress through the online learning will be monitored by APLS and provided to the course director. However, the online learning is intended to help you prepare for the face-to-face course in conjunction with the APLS manual, so there is no minimum pass grade.

Your APLS certificate will be available upon:

Attendance of the face-to-face course
Successful completion of testing on the face-to-face course
Completion of the pre-course online learning

I'm having problems with the online learning, who do I contact?

You can call the APLS office during business hours on (03) 8672 2800 or email info@apls.org.au. Live chat with our admin team is also available via our website during normal business hours. APLS will try and help with any technical or content queries as soon as possible.

For troubleshooting tips on logging in and other queries, try www.apls.org.au/troubleshooting.

How long do I have access to the online learning for?

You will be granted access from the time you register and pay for the course until one month following the face-to-face program. You can use the post-course access to revise key concepts and test your knowledge after the face-to-face course.

How long does it take to complete the pre-course online learning?

It varies between candidates, but anticipate around 8-10 hours.

When will I receive my manual & pre-course materials? Is the manual a print edition or an e-book?

All candidates on APLS and PLS courses will receive an e-book version of the 7th edition manual.

The manual is supplied digitally as a Wiley E-Text and is interactive and compatible with most popular devices. Click here for more information on Wiley E-Text.

Pre-course information will be emailed to you upon registration.

How many RACGP / ACRRM points does the APLS course provide?

Candidates can submit a self-directed active learning module (ALM) via the RACGP website and upload a copy of your certificate of completion.

For further information or assistance, please contact your RACGP QI&CPD branch in your state.

ACCRM points allocated are:

10 ALS Points
20 PRPD Points
10 Core Points

Plus the following MOPS Points:

10 Core and 30 PRPD Anaesthetics MOPS Points
4 O&G MOPS Points
30 Emergency Medicine MOPS Points

What happens if I need to resit an APLS / PLS test?

Should a candidate fail a component of the APLS provider course or PLS course they will be approached by their respective mentor at the course and advised that they are required to retest within a month of completing the course.

The APLS course administrator will contact the candidate and provide options for a re-test. A certificate will be posted to the candidate should they pass the retest. If the candidate fails the retest, APLS will provide a letter of participation, acknowledging course attendance, participation and the learning that has occurred.

What happens if I fail the course?

If a candidate fails more than one component of the course or does not attend part of the course, they will be advised to register for a new course and full payment will be required.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule my place on a course?

The APLS cancellation policy and cancellation request forms are available in full here.

If you need to withdraw from a course, please read the cancellation policy in full to determine your eligibility for a refund, and submit a cancellation request form here.

General conditions for candidates who wish to cancel their registration on an APLS course include the following:

Registration fees for a booking on a course within fourteen (14) days of the commencement date are non-refundable.
Registration fees for a booking on a course within (15) to thirty (30) days of the commencement date are refundable to the amount of the registration fee paid, less 50% administration fee.
Registration fees for a booking of thirty-one (31) days or more from the course commencement date are fully refundable. Where an APLS 7th Edition Manual has already been provided, $75 will be deducted from the refund amount.
Registration fees that require cancellation for one of the following reasons are fully refundable, conditional upon the required documentation being provided. Where an APLS 7th Edition Manual has already been provided, $75 will be deducted from the refund amount.

- COVID-19 positive (a medical certificate or statutory declaration to be provided)
- Illness (a medical certificate or statutory declaration to be provided)
- Family emergency / death of a family member (a medical certificate or statutory declaration to be provided)
- Scheduled exam (letter or evidence of date of exams to be provided)
- Leave has been rescinded by employer (letter from employer to be provided)
Regrettably APLS is unable to change bookings or hold places for candidates wishing to change course dates.

I have special requirements. Can APLS cater for my needs?

Of course. APLS understands that each individual will have specific needs during their time on our courses. We can cater for the following (to name a few):

Special dietary requirements
Provide private / quiet spaces for individuals for religious and/or spiritual needs
Provide private / quiet spaces for mothers who need to breast feed or express milk

Please feel free to contact us to discuss your specific needs during a course, or fill in your requirements under 'Dietary requirements' when registering with APLS.

I am a medical student. Can I enrol on an APLS course?

Currently, only registered clinicians are allowed to attend an APLS course. The curriculum is designed for minimum 2 years clinical experience

I am an APLS candidate. Will APLS cover my travel and accommodation costs to attend a course?

Candidates are responsible for their own travel and accommodation requirements to be able to attend an APLS course. Catering is provided during all three days of the course.

Can I take an APLS course as an observer?

Observer positions are not available on APLS courses.

Can I download APLS algorithms to distribute in my workplace?

Yes. Our algorithms from the manual are free to download and reproduce for non-commercial distribution, such as around your workplace or on lanyards for easy access.

The APLS app is a popular and convenient way of taking APLS algorithms everywhere you go.

I want to take a PLS course. Is funding available from my hospital for the course fees?

Yes. Some hospitals provide funding for their staff to participate in PLS courses. You will need to discuss this with your hospital to see whether or not funding is available.

Who is my main contact for the PLS course?

The main contact for an upcoming PLS course within your organisation is your organisation's Nursing Educator or Coordinator. For assistance regarding registration or e-learning access, you can also contact the PLS Course Administrator at head office via pls@apls.org.au.

How do I become an APLS instructor / course director?

Should you be interested in becoming an APLS instructor, GIC instructor or course director, you must undertake the following steps.

1) Pathways to the Generic Instructor Course

To gain entry as a candidate on an APLS Instructor Course / Generic Instructor Course (GIC), an individual must:

1a. Complete the APLS three day provider course

1b. Be nominated by the faculty on that course to attend a GIC. APLS Instructor Potential Attributes

2a. Complete the APLS three day provider course

2b. Lodge an Expression of Interest via email to faculty@apls.org.au to become an APLS instructor within 28 days of completion of the APLS provider course. Upon receiving an EOI, the APLS office will confirm that the applicant has not already been nominated by their faculty and will forward a self-nomination form to the applicant. The APLS Office will also notify the course director from the provider course to seek specific feedback on the applicant that may not be contained in the course report. An individual who lodges a self-nomination EOI who has already been nominated by their course faculty does not need to go through this process and will be automatically invited to attend a GIC. The self-nomination form must be completed and returned to APLS within a further 28 days. It will include a statement from the applicant addressing key criteria and two structured referee reports supporting the application. It is preferred that both referees be APLS instructors, and mandatory that at least one is an APLS instructor.

Click here for a list of desirable attributes for APLS instructors.

2) Minimum requirements

Satisfactory completion of an APLS GIC

If an individual has been nominated by their faculty on the APLS provider course, they may seek exemption from the APLS GIC if they can demonstrate satisfactory completion of an alternate ALSG GIC within the past 2 years (*) and be currently instructing on an ALSG affiliated course which includes all the core elements of lecturing, discussion / workshops, skills teaching, clinical scenario teaching using a mannequin and simulated monitoring, debriefing utilising advocacy and inquiry techniques.

(*) Note: The requirement to have completed the alternate ALSG GIC within the past 2 years may be waived if the individual is a current instructor on the GIC in addition to being an instructor on the relevant provider course.

Individuals who believe they satisfy the requirements outlined above may apply in writing for consideration to be exempt from completing the APLS GIC. This application will be reviewed by the IDC. If successful, they may participate in an APLS provider course as an instructor candidate (IC) under the supervision of an experienced APLS course director who will determine their suitability to continue on the normal path of an IC or alternatively, recommend they go back and complete the APLS GIC.

3) Pathways to become a GIC Instructor

APLS and PLS courses are very different from the GIC. Being a first-rate instructor on the former does not guarantee excellence on the latter.

The agreed requirements to be a suitable GIC instructor are:

1. Experience as an instructor (minimum 10 courses)

2. Flexible approach to teaching

3. Insight into candidates needs

4. Ability to give and receive feedback on teaching skills

5. Be a strong advocate for APLS

6. Cope with the complexity of the GIC

7. An awareness that excellence as an APLS provider course instructor does not necessarily translate into suitability as a GIC instructor

3) Pathways to become an APLS Course Director

The pathway for APLS Course Directors is:

1. Minimum 10 courses as a full instructor on APLS courses

AND

2. Be nominated by an existing APLS director.

This nomination is reviewed by the Instructor Development Committee.

Director candidates are then mentored and assessed on two courses as a director candidate, in a similar process to becoming an APLS instructor.

I am an APLS instructor. How many courses do I have to teach on each year?

As an active APLS faculty member, you are expected to participate in 3 courses every 2 years.

Do I get paid for teaching on an APLS course?

APLS is a not-for-profit organisation, and all APLS instructors and directors offer their skills on a voluntary basis. Benefits, however, include networking opportunities on courses and at faculty dinners; travelling to courses nationwide – and sometimes internationally – courtesy of APLS; professional development points; and the chance to pass on your skills and experience within a market-leading training organisation.

How do I join an APLS committee?

APLS currently has committees for Course Development, Instructor Development, International Development and PLS. Committee vacancies are advertised to APLS members via email, and potential committee members are asked to initially submit a formal expression of interest. If membership of any of the current committees interests you or you’d like more information on their work, please submit an EOI to info@apls.org.au.

I am an APLS instructor/director/co-ordinator. What costs do APLS cover?

For all travel including airfares, accommodation and other reimbursable claims, please refer to the APLS Travel Policy here.

I’m an APLS instructor and I want to download my teaching materials before I instruct on a course. How do I do this?

All APLS instructors should have a username and password to access course information via our Course Materials area. If you do not have a username and password, please contact the APLS head office to obtain. Instructors are welcome to personalise their lectures if needed; however, please download the lecture in the week before teaching to make sure you’re adapting the most recent version.

I'm having problems logging into the APLS website?

If you're having problems logging in and finding the materials you need, visit our troubleshooting guide here.

Can I buy the Australian edition of the APLS manual?

Yes, the Australia and New Zealand 7^th Edition is available from most popular online bookstores. Prices vary between retailers, print and the different types of digital editions. Find it via Wiley and Amazon.

I am in a country outside Australia, and I would like to organise an APLS course. How do I do that?

APLS is committed to developing our international outreach work, and our courses have taken place in Sri Lanka, Pacific Rim countries and elsewhere. Our International Development committee are always exploring avenues for future international courses – in the first instance, contact international@apls.org.au.

For APLS courses in New Zealand, visit www.apls.org.nz. For APLS courses in Europe, visit www.alsg.org.

How do I provide feedback on an APLS course / manual?

All candidates will be issued with an APLS course evaluation form at the beginning or during the course. The course co-ordinator will remind candidates to complete the evaluation form before the end of the course. All data is collated and distributed to the course faculty for review, and feedback on course materials and our manual is reviewed by the relevant APLS committee.