Emergency and Disaster Planning in Care Services
Prepare for and respond to emergencies in care settings.
$47
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Course overview
Build your understanding of safer manual handling in disability support and everyday care settings.
This course explores how to recognise hazards, follow individual mobility plans, prepare for transfers and understand the role of handling equipment. You will consider how a person’s abilities, the environment, available assistance and changing conditions affect each task.
Through short lessons and realistic workplace examples, you will learn how to make informed decisions that support client comfort, dignity and participation while reducing risks to everyone involved.
Important
This online course supports workplace learning. It does not replace practical equipment training, individual care plans or workplace competency assessment.
Course objectives
- How Injuries Actually Happen: Recognise how force, repetition, awkward positions and unexpected movements can contribute to injuries.
- Principles of Safe Movement: Understand how preparation, communication, suitable equipment and task setup support safer movement.
- Reading & Following a Mobility Plan: Identify the person’s support needs, required equipment, staffing arrangements and circumstances that require clarification.
- Equipment – Hoists, Slide Sheets & Aids: Explore the purposes, limitations and essential safety checks of common handling aids.
- Transfer Readiness – The Pre-Check: Check the person, environment, equipment and staff readiness before a transfer.
- Documenting Changes & Escalating Risk: Record observations, report hazards and seek support when a task cannot proceed safely.
Learning includes a focus on consent, privacy, communication, mobility and transport preparation, and responding to changes in a person’s condition.
What does the Manual Handling Course Pack Include?
Practical resources you can keep and use whenever needed.
Reference Guide
Revisit manual handling principles, equipment considerations, risk assessment prompts and reporting guidance.
Workbook
Reinforce your learning through practical, non-graded activities, workplace scenarios and reflection questions.
Workplace Checklist
Check important preparation steps, including the mobility plan, consent, equipment, environment and required assistance.
Who this course is for
- Disability support workers assisting people with everyday mobility needs
- Aged care and community support workers
- New care workers building their understanding of manual handling risks
- Experienced workers seeking a refresher on preparation, communication and reporting
- Team leaders supporting consistent manual handling awareness
Course outcomes
What you will be better prepared to do
1
Recognise hazards before lifting, moving, repositioning or supporting someone
2
Check that a planned task matches the person’s current abilities and support needs
3
Follow mobility and manual handling plans within your role
4
Recognise when prescribed equipment or additional trained assistance is required
5
Explain planned movements and support the person’s comfort, privacy and involvement
6
Identify changes that require a task to pause or stop
7
Consider accessibility, equipment and support needs when preparing for transport
8
Document concerns and communicate them to the appropriate person
On the job
How the learning connects with everyday work
Scenario 1
Repositioning in bed
A person needs repositioning in bed.
Recognise the need to check their plan, prepare the space and arrange prescribed aids and assistance.
Scenario 2
Dizziness before a transfer
A person reports dizziness before a transfer.
Understand why you should pause and seek assessment before proceeding.
Scenario 3
A damaged sling
A sling appears damaged.
Recognise the need to stop, report the fault and arrange suitable equipment.
Scenario 4
Two-person task, one worker
The plan requires two trained workers, but only one is available.
Understand why staffing requirements must be met before beginning.
Scenario 5
A community outing
You are preparing for a community outing.
Consider accessible routes, suitable transport, seating needs and required support.
Scenario 6
A change in mobility
A person’s mobility differs from their usual presentation.
Record specific observations and escalate the change for review.
Five simple steps
How the course works
1
Enrol online
Register for the course and follow the instructions provided to access your learning.
2
Work through the lessons
Explore the six topics through concise explanations and everyday care examples.
3
Use your Course Pack
Download the Reference Guide, Workbook and Workplace Checklist.
4
Apply your understanding
Work through learning activities and scenarios.
5
Complete the course requirements
Finish the required learning and assessment activities to receive your Certificate of Completion.
How your learning is checked
- Short knowledge questions and workplace scenarios
- Hazard recognition
- Mobility plans
- Equipment checks
- Transfer preparation
- Escalating concerns
Workbook activities provide opportunities to practise decision-making and reflect on workplace situations. These activities are non-graded. Online learning checks assess understanding. They do not establish practical competence to perform transfers or operate handling equipment independently.
What you will receive
After successfully meeting the course requirements, learners will receive a Certificate of Completion for the Get My Course Manual Handling short course. You will also have the downloadable Course Pack to support ongoing reference and reflection.
Certificate of Completion
Awarded once you meet all course requirements.
This is non-accredited training. The Certificate of Completion is not a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment and does not certify completion of a nationally recognised unit of competency.
Why Manual Handling Matters in Care Work
Manual handling is part of many everyday care activities, including repositioning, transfers, assisted movement and moving equipment.
When tasks are poorly planned or support needs change, both workers and the people they assist can be exposed to injury. Rushing, unsuitable equipment, limited space and unclear communication can increase those risks.
Safer handling starts with recognising hazards, using appropriate controls and following the person’s assessed plan. Respectful communication also helps the person understand what is happening, participate where possible and maintain their dignity.
Frequently asked questions
Is this course nationally accredited?
No. This is a non-accredited Professional Development Short Course. Successful learners receive a Certificate of Completion, not a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment.
How is the course delivered?
The course is delivered online, with downloadable resources to support your learning.
How long does the course take?
This quick online course takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. Work through the lessons and activities at your own pace, around your schedule.
When can I start?
You can start anytime. Enrol online and begin learning when it suits you.
Will I learn about hoists and other handling aids?
Yes. The course introduces common aids, their purposes and essential safety considerations. Operating equipment requires training and assessment appropriate to the specific device and your workplace.
Does this course qualify me to perform transfers independently?
No. The assistance you can provide depends on your role, demonstrated competence, workplace procedures and the person’s current mobility and manual handling plan.
What if a person’s needs differ from their mobility plan?
Pause the task and seek clarification or assessment through workplace procedures. Do not independently substitute a transfer method.
Are the workbook activities graded?
No. Workbook activities help reinforce learning. Required course assessments will be identified separately.
Can I keep the course resources?
Yes. Download the Reference Guide, Workbook and Workplace Checklist for future reference. Always check them against current workplace procedures and individual care plans.
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Hear from our students!
This course gave me practical, easy-to-apply techniques for safer transfers. I feel much more confident supporting clients with mobility needs on every shift.
Margaret A
The course covered everything from safe movement principles to using slide sheets and hoists correctly. I finished with a clear, step-by-step approach to reducing injury risk.
Bob M
Clear and practical, straight to the point. I completed it online in a couple of hours and walked away with skills I use every day in aged care.
Barry A
Build Safer Everyday Manual Handling Practices
Develop your understanding of manual handling risks and prepare to support safer, more respectful care.
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