APLS - 2025

Entrance requirements

 

The Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) course is suitable for doctors, nurses and paramedics looking to increase their confidence and clinical skills in paediatric acute care. 

 

This course is designed for graduates with a minimum of 2 years of experience. If you are within 2 years post-graduation please delay your enrolment in the APLS 3 day program until you have more clinical experience. 

 

APLS is the recommended course for all hospital staff working in clinical environments where children and adolescents are cared for, by the RACP's National Standards for the Care of Children and Adolescents. 

 

Duration

 

Three days face-to-face, 10 hours+ pre-course preparation

 

Session times

 

Download a sample course program here. 

 

Day 1
9.45am Candidate registration 
10am–6pm Course sessions

Day 2
8am–6pm Course sessions 

Day 3
8am–4.15pm Course sessions 

Please note that the course schedule is subject to change from time to time. 

 

Course locations and vacancies

 

Visit our course calendar for upcoming courses and availability. 

 

Fees

 

Doctors $3300 Nurse/Paramedic $1920

 

 

Delivery & assessment methods

 

The APLS learning environment is interactive, practical and supportive. 

 

Before the course, candidates complete our award-winning online learning package to explore key APLS concepts. 

 

Then, during the face to face course, candidates further their understanding of care in the clinical context through scenario roleplays, skill stations, plenaries and workshops in small group sessions. 

 

What supports effective learning in this course are faculty who are credible clinicians, that enjoy supporting others to provide safe care. The culture of the organisation is committed to building a safe learning environment - where questions can be asked and explored and skills can be practiced. 

 

APLS instructors make up a diverse community of over 500 health professionals dedicated to excellence in paediatric care. With 12 instructors to 24 candidates on each course, candidates have their own mentor and access to a wealth of real-life experience. 

 

Outcomes

 

Applying the best available knowledge in complex clinical settings doesn’t always have one correct answer and the face-to-face program is designed to explore these issues. This is so you leave the program with what you need to care for critically ill and injured children.

 

Candidates who complete the APLS course will issued a certificate of completion upon:

• Fully attending the three-day course
• Successfully completing all required course assessments
• Successfully completing the required pre-course APLS online learning modules  

APLS certificates are valid for five years from the date of issue.

 

 

Course preparation & resources

 

Allowing time for pre-course preparation will maximise the learning you take away from this program. 

 

4-6 weeks of preparation time is recommended to thoroughly read the APLS manual and complete the mandatory pre-course online learning modules. 

 

The pre-course online learning takes approximately 6-8 hours, and should be completed before attending the face-to-face course. 

 

The face to face program has been designed to build on and extend the content covered in the pre-course learning.

 

Registrations include a digital copy of our course manual: the Australia and New Zealand 7th edition of 'Advanced Paediatric Life Support – A Practical Approach to Emergencies'. A redemption code to access the digital edition of the manual will be emailed to you six weeks before your face to face course. 

 

Manuals are supplied in digital format which you can download onto your PC, Mac, Android, iOS and Kindle Fire devices.

 

Due to the intensive pre-course demands, candidates are discouraged from registering for a course with less than 4 weeks to prepare. 

 

 

Course structure

 

The course covers the following themes:

 

Life support

• Basic life support
• Advanced support of the airway and ventilation
• Cardiac arrest management and defibrillation

 

Diagnosis and management of the seriously ill child

• Breathing difficulties
• Shock
• Abnormal pulse rate and rhythm
• Decreased conscious level
• Convulsing child

 

Diagnosis and management of the seriously injured child

• Chest injury
• Abdominal injury
• Head trauma
• Spinal injury
• Burns and scalds
• Drowning

 

Practical procedures

• Airway and breathing
• Circulation
• Trauma
• Interpreting trauma X-rays
• Stabilisation and transfer

 

Further topics 

• Fluid and electrolyte management
• Acid-base balance
• Pain management
• Septic child
• Neurological assessment

 

  

CPD accreditation

 

Candidates who are members of RACGP & ACRRM may be eligible to receive QI&CPD points for an Accredited Category 1 Activity. 

 

 

Terms and conditions

 

The APLS Cancellation Policy applies to this course.