Can You Do an ALS Course Online in Australia?
It is one of the most common questions clinicians search before booking: can I do my ALS course online? The short answer is no. There is no accredited online only ALS course in Australia. There is, however, a blended format that moves much of the learning online and cuts the time you spend in the classroom.
The short answer: no accredited online only ALS course exists
An Advanced Life Support credential certifies that you can perform under pressure, with real equipment, as part of a resuscitation team. That cannot be assessed through a screen. Courses that are delivered entirely online may cover the theory, but they do not lead to an accredited ALS credential recognised by Australian health services or professional colleges.
If you see an "online ALS course" advertised, check what it actually certifies before you pay for it.
Why ALS needs a face to face component
A significant part of ALS training and assessment is in skills that only develop with practice:
Communication with the resuscitation team. Clear, closed loop communication, assigning roles, and speaking up are soft skills, and they are assessed in live scenarios.
Resuscitation equipment. Defibrillation, airway management and monitoring need hands on practice with the equipment itself.
Drugs. Preparing and giving resuscitation drugs at the right point in the algorithm is practised in simulation, not read about.
Working under time pressure. Scenarios recreate the noise and urgency of a real arrest, so that the algorithm holds up when it matters.
The ANZCOR guidelines, which shape resuscitation training across Australia and New Zealand, place real weight on this kind of practical, scenario based learning.
The next best thing: blended ALS training
The Resuscitation Australia model that EMRT delivers is designed around this reality. It is a blended course: most of the knowledge is learned online beforehand, and the in person part focuses on the skills that need a room, a manikin and a team.
In practice that looks like this:
eLearning at home. Self paced modules and quizzes, completed before the training day, in your own time.
A shortened face to face day. Hands on skills stations and simulated scenarios in a small group of up to six.
Continuous assessment. Your progress is assessed across both the eLearning and the training day, not in a single high stakes test at the end.
The result is an accredited credential with far less time away from work than a traditional course.
How much time it actually saves
The traditional ALS2 format was two full days in a training centre. The blended format replaces much of that with eLearning, so the face to face component is:
ALS1: four hours, in a morning or afternoon session
ALS2: one day (8am to 5pm)
ALS2 Recertification: four hours (10am to 2pm)
For regional clinicians the saving is bigger still, because the training day runs locally. One of our current ALS2 candidates, a doctor based in Wagga Wagga, told us a two day course in the city would have meant four days off work once travel was counted. The blended course delivered locally meant one. Significant cost savings by training locally: save on travel, accommodation and time away from your clinic. More time with your family and patients.
What the eLearning covers
The eLearning carries the knowledge base of the course, so that the training day can be spent on skill development. It covers the structured assessment of the deteriorating patient, the theory behind the ALS algorithm, ECG rhythm recognition, and the causes of cardiac arrest that need to be found and treated. Quizzes along the way check your understanding before you arrive.
An honest caveat: blended does not mean easier. The eLearning and embedded quizzes have to be finished before the day, and candidates who skim it feel it in the scenarios. Set aside proper time for it in the week before your course.
After you pass, the eLearning stays available to you for the four years of your credential, so you can refresh before a placement or a new role.
Who blended ALS suits
Blended ALS training suits most clinicians, but it is especially useful if you:
work shifts and cannot easily take two consecutive days off
live in a regional or rural area and would otherwise travel a long way to train
need ALS2 for ongoing CPD and want to renew efficiently
prefer to learn the theory at your own pace
Frequently asked questions
Is there an accredited online ALS course in Australia?
No. There is no accredited online only ALS course in Australia, because a significant part of the training and assessment covers team communication and the hands on use of resuscitation equipment and drugs. The closest option is a blended course, with eLearning at home and a shorter face to face day.
How long is the face to face part of a blended ALS course?
With EMRT, ALS1 is a four hour morning or afternoon session, ALS2 is one full day and ALS2 Recertification is four hours. The rest of the learning is done through eLearning at home before the training day.
Is a blended ALS credential the same as a traditional one?
Yes. EMRT courses are accredited by Resuscitation Australia, which is in turn recognised by employers and professional colleges throughout Australia. The credential is valid for four years. The difference is how the learning is delivered, not what you are certified to do.
Do I have to finish the eLearning before the training day?
Yes. The eLearning and embedded quizzes must be completed before you attend, because the face to face session builds on it. Plan to finish it a few days early rather than the night before. You must also complete the short quizzes embedded in the eLearning: there are four quizzes for ALS1 and five quizzes for ALS2 and ALS2 Recertification.
Where can I do the face to face part?
EMRT delivers training regionally, currently across regional NSW and the ACT, including Wollongong, Nowra, Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Bathurst. See the course calendar for every upcoming location and date.
Book a blended ALS course
Choose your course on the ALS1 page or the ALS2 page, then pick a date on the course calendar.
For any questions, please contact our office:
1300 849 863
