Frequently Asked Questions
There is no real difference between these two types of courses other than the name. Wilderness is an international term that has been used for over 30 years and since early 90's when Wilderness First Aid became popular in Australia we have adopted the same term. Australian's have always used the term Remote as it describes all the vast isolated areas 'on' and 'off' shore of Australia. Also the word wilderness restricts us to a view of only bushland where remote is so much broader. The main thing to know is courses are highlighted around gaining knowledge and skills to assist the patient 'long term care' where medical assistance is more than 1-2 hours away.
Since the introduction of the 'Wilderness First Aid Skill Set' the Outdoor Industry has considered it a standard to be achieved by Outdoor Leaders. These competencies from the Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package meet competency requirements for Wilderness First Aid and will be utilised as the basis for the registration requirements of programs like the National Outdoor Leader Registration Scheme (NOLRS)
Wilderness First Aid Australia is proud to be partnered with one of the leading TAFE providers in Victoria, Wodonga Institute of TAFE (WIOT). Through this partnership we are able to offer a good range of short courses including Urban, Wilderness and Customised first aid.
Our range of Wilderness First Aid courses meet the industry requirements for the new 'Wilderness First Aid Skill Set' derived from both Sport, Fitness and Recreation and Health Training Packages.
Be reassured that along with the high standard of training provided by WFAA and the strong partnership we have with WIOT you will be recieving the right qualification for the Outdoor Industry.
Our instructors range from professional outdoor educators, urban EMT’s, Intensive Care Paramedics, Nurses, Ski Patrollers and Guides. The breadth of knowledge and experience covers a wide variety of areas with many years of patient management experience in all types of environments.
We have a range of courses to suit individual and organisation's needs. Courses are based on specific a number of things i.e. hours, days, qualification requirements. Courses we have on offer are:
Basic Remote First Aid (16 hours) 2 days
Remote First Aid (28 hours) 3 days
Wilderness First Aid (50 hours) 5 days
Leaders Wilderness Advanced First Aid – LWFA (60 hours) 7 days
LWFA/WFR recertification (28 hours) 3 days
Remote Area Medic-Basic (RAM-B) (100 hrs) 9 days (formally Wilderness First Responder)
Custom courses
For the list of Units of Competency each course contains please contact the office on 03 9005 7172 or [email protected] for further information
When making a booking please contact the office directly by using the 'Contact Us' page on the website as from time to time the office is unattended due to the nature of the business and at times having no means of communication. You can followup via phone and talk with someone in the office or leave a message for a return call. We are honest in saying email is your best option.
We do not recommend any potential student makes any logistic arrangements until they have received an 'official' final email confirming that a course will be running. As there has been rare cases where a course has been cancelled by WFAA due to lower than expected numbers or a Host cancellation.
WFAA will not be responsible for any financial losses in this instance.Though WFAA will reimburse any student who has accrued 'out of pocket' expenses after WFAA has confirmed a course as running.
Our waiting lists work on a 'first come, first served' scenario. As our courses book out quickly we do often open up a 'waiting list' allowing potential students to have a chance at attending their first choice of course. We also allow participants to place their name on other courses in line of preference and try to work closely to accommodate the best suited course.
We ask for a deposit for your course eight (8) weeks out from commencement to secure your position. We then email you the final payment invoice approximately four (4) weeks out with 7 days to pay in full. If not paid within 7 days you unfortunately jeopardise your position to those on the 'waiting list'. WFAA will not be responsible for those losing their position due to non payment. Wilderness courses are very expensive to run and the organisation cannot afford to have people cancel at 'last minute'.
Where a course is cancelled by WFAA a 'FULL REFUND' will be given to your nominated account.
Where a participant chooses to cancel their position the refund policy is as follows:
4-6 weeks from commencement of course "FULL REFUND'
2-4 weeks from commencement of the course '50% REFUND'
0-2 weeks from commencement of the course 'NO REFUND'
All cancellations need to be in writing or via email using the initial booking email address. This ensures no one else is cancelling you position.
COVID-19 Exceptions:
Individuals:
The Refund Policy will become 'null and void' in any case where a student contacts Wilderness First Aid Australia with a doctors certificate stating that they are currently awaiting results from a COVID-19 test, suffering from any signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or have been ordered to self-isolate due to testing 'positive' to the Corona Virus. In this case the students original course fees will be held for a maximum of 3 months and the 'Transfer Fee' of $150 will be charged (please see Course transfers and fees below) for their next course, though the student will also have to pay any extra fees (if any) that are related to their new program. If a student fails to join a course within this timeframe their original course fees will be forfeited. In the case where the course is cheaper the student will be provided with a refund of the difference.
NOTE: False or misleading information will mean you forfeit course fees.
Where a student has been unable to attend (at late notice) due to State lockdowns or State Border closures a refund will not be issued BUT a full credit will be applied and can be used on a future program. In this case the 'Transfer Fee' of $150 will be charged (please see Course transfers and fees below) though the student will also have to pay any extra fees (if any) that are related to their new chosen program. In the case where the course is cheaper the student will be provided with a refund of the difference. NOTE: WFAA is not responsible for and will not refund any partcipant's 'out of pocket' expenses (i.e. flights, hire vehicles, off-site accommodation, etc.) in the matter of any indivisual COVID related issues. NOTE: It is higly recommended that all participants throughout the COVID-19 pandemic purchase travel insurance for this reason.
Deciding last minute not to attend a training course has large financial consequences on WFAA and is not a valid excuse for requesting a refund. Throughout this pandemic we are asking Organisations 'NOT' to book a program or individuals 'NOT' to book a position on any program if they are uncomfortable with the current Corona Virus pandemic.
WFAA appreciates that students will have concerns/frustrations from 'time to time' when hard decisions need to be made like cancellations, postponements, reschedules of courses but this happens to protect staff, students and the community from COVID-19 outbreaks. We hope all students can understand it's difficult for WFAA as a business to accommodate/forsee all scenarios but we do try to minimise disruptions as best we can.
Organisations/Hosts:
WFAA understands that Organisations/Hosts are unable to predict what will happen in the future with the Corona Virus pandemic nor know when State/Federal Governents may close State/National Borders, apply travel restrictions, etc. so it would be wrong of us to expect clients to adhere to our late course cancellations due to COVID-19 outbreak. It is ONLY in the case of COVID-19 that there will be a 10% administration fee charged for the cancellation. Anything outside COVID-19 our normal cancellation Terms & Conditions are charged. Once WFAA has been advised by official acceptance (email, purchase order, deposit payment, payment in full) that the course will run logistical arrangements will begin.
Organisations/Hosts who cancel after official acceptance, though inside our cancellation 'timeframes' will only be charged for WFAA 'out of pocket' expenses. WFAA are unable to absorb logistic costs due to a client cancelling their program regardless of reasons.
Where possible WFAA will work with the client to rearrange an alternative date to run their program.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL cancellations need to be in writing or via email using the initial booking email address. This ensures no one else is cancelling your position.
COVID-19 Precautions:
Due to the nature of our training WFAA is unable to adhere fully to the 1.5mtr Social Distancing Rule so all students are required to purchase a $22 COVID Protection pack to attend. This is to ensure that we minimise sharing and cross-infection.
In a case where a student was able to attend their original course due to personal/health reasons a course transfer is available. A transfer is only available where a student has met the above requirements when notifying the WFAA office in writing or via approved email path. Your transfer course needs to be booked, confirmed and approved within 3 months of your 'original' course. The Transfer Fee is $150 plus any extra costs (venue, accommodation, catering fees) associated with your new course will need to be paid before you can attend.
NOTE: If you fail to notify the office before the course commences, you automatically forfeit your fees and NO course transfer is available.
FURTHER NOTE: A transfer is not automatic. Most WFAA courses are booked well in advance and if you do not chose shortly after missing your original course you may miss out. Unfortunately, this means you have forfeited your initial course fees. WFAA does not offer credits for students to book on as they please.
WFAA DOES NOT offer credits to students who miss their course or do not turn up. ALL students will need to refer to the Cancellation and Course Transfer policies above.
In Australia students are required to recertify their qualifications every three years and recertify their CPR every 12 months. WFAA adopts the same outlook as to be sure students are kept up with the latest first aid knowlege and skills.
As we know there are many good first aid providers in Australia we do not mandate that CPR is recertified with us BUT do want to ensure it recertified with a reputable company with the right accreditations.
On successful completion and full payment of your course you will receive your certificate within approximately 4 weeks (28 days). At certian times this could take slightly longer with most certificates arriving within 5-6 weeks. This is due to the nature of our remote programs and the time taken to recieve course paperwork back to the office which can take 7 days. In circumstances where a student requires their certificate earlier a 'Verification Letter' can be drafted outling your acheivement and emailed to you.
In unfortunate circumstances where a student has lost/misplaced their original certificate a replacement can be issued at a cost of $75 inc. GST.
Where the original is not required WFAA can provide you a PDF copy at no extra cost.
COVID-19 Exceptions:
Individuals:
The Refund Policy will become 'null and void' in any case where a student contacts Wilderness First Aid Australia with a doctors certificate stating that they are currently awaiting results from a COVID-19 test, suffering from any signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or have been ordered to self-isolate due to testing 'positive' to the Corona Virus. In this case the students original course fees will be held for a maximum of 3 months and the 'Transfer Fee' of $150 will be charged (please see Course transfers and fees below) for their next course, though the student will also have to pay any extra fees (if any) that are related to their new program. If a student fails to join a course within this timeframe their original course fees will be forfeited. In the case where the course is cheaper the student will be provided with a refund of the difference.
NOTE: False or misleading information will mean you forfeit course fees.
Where a student has been unable to attend (at late notice) due to State lockdowns or State Border closures a refund will not be issued BUT a full credit will be applied and can be used on a future program. In this case the 'Transfer Fee' of $150 will be charged (please see Course transfers and fees below) though the student will also have to pay any extra fees (if any) that are related to their new chosen program. In the case where the course is cheaper the student will be provided with a refund of the difference. NOTE: WFAA is not responsible for and will not refund any partcipant's 'out of pocket' expenses (i.e. flights, hire vehicles, off-site accommodation, etc.) in the matter of any indivisual COVID related issues. NOTE: It is higly recommended that all participants throughout the COVID-19 pandemic purchase travel insurance for this reason.
Deciding last minute not to attend a training course has large financial consequences on WFAA and is not a valid excuse for requesting a refund. Throughout this pandemic we are asking Organisations 'NOT' to book a program or individuals 'NOT' to book a position on any program if they are uncomfortable with the current Corona Virus pandemic.
WFAA appreciates that students will have concerns/frustrations from 'time to time' when hard decisions need to be made like cancellations, postponements, reschedules of courses but this happens to protect staff, students and the community from COVID-19 outbreaks. We hope all students can understand it's difficult for WFAA as a business to accommodate/forsee all scenarios but we do try to minimise disruptions as best we can.
Organisations/Hosts:
WFAA understands that Organisations/Hosts are unable to predict what will happen in the future with the Corona Virus pandemic nor know when State/Federal Governents may close State/National Borders, apply travel restrictions, etc. so it would be wrong of us to expect clients to adhere to our late course cancellations due to COVID-19 outbreak. It is ONLY in the case of COVID-19 that there will be a 10% administration fee charged for the cancellation. Anything outside COVID-19 our normal cancellation Terms & Conditions are charged. Once WFAA has been advised by official acceptance (email, purchase order, deposit payment, payment in full) that the course will run logistical arrangements will begin.
Organisations/Hosts who cancel after official acceptance, though inside our cancellation 'timeframes' will only be charged for WFAA 'out of pocket' expenses. WFAA are unable to absorb logistic costs due to a client cancelling their program regardless of reasons.
Where possible WFAA will work with the client to rearrange an alternative date to run their program.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL cancellations need to be in writing or via email using the initial booking email address. This ensures no one else is cancelling your position.
COVID-19 Precautions:
Due to the nature of our training WFAA is unable to adhere fully to the 1.5mtr Social Distancing Rule so all students are required to purchase a $22 COVID Protection pack to attend. This is to ensure that we minimise sharing and cross-infection.