ATSO training
The ASTP assists ATSOs to meet mandatory requirements by facilitating both online and in-person training throughout the year.
Introduction to training
As Department of Education employees, Assisted Travel Support Officers (ATSOs) must complete a range of mandatory training as a condition of their employment. This includes pre-service/induction training and recurring training to maintain currency.
To support students with complex health and/or behaviour needs ATSOs must meet their mandatory training requirements and have the skills and essential knowledge for their role.
For more information, see the Mandatory training procedures or the Mandatory Training Hub for ATSOs.
Students cannot be transported until the appropriate training of the ATSO has taken place.
Online training
The Mandatory Training Hub for ATSOs provides an online list of courses for ATSOs to complete. It is preferable to use a desktop or laptop for the best experience with online training. However, the courses are designed to be compatible across most systems and should still work on mobile and tablet devices.
ATSOs will be paid for successfully completing mandatory online training courses. The amount of time paid for each course is noted on the MyPL web page as the ‘Approximate Duration’. If additional training is required for students with higher level needs (e.g. specialised health care), the school is required to make arrangements with the ASTP (if confirmed the ASTP will inform ATSOs of the payments for approved specialised training).
Please note that additional courses will not be paid.
ATSOs must complete day one courses before working with students and attend in-person training within 10 weeks of receiving a letter of offer. The ASTP will communicate any changes to mandatory training to all ATSOs via staff email.
Day one
On the first day of employment with the department, ATSOs are required to complete the following mandatory training before they can work with students. Find out more about the Day one and induction requirements at the Mandatory Training Hub for ATSOs.
| Course name | Course duration and time paid (minutes) |
Course frequency |
|---|---|---|
| ASTP - ATSO Essentials (click the “Browse Learning” link and search for “ATSO”) |
30 | Once only |
| Child Protection Awareness Training | 30 | Once only |
| Code of Ethics and Conduct (PSC) | 40 | Once only |
| Emergency Care |
80 | Once only |
| Work, Health & Safety induction for employees | 20 | Once only |
Existing ATSOs
Existing Assisted Travel Support Officers must complete the following mandatory training. Find out more about mandatory training at the Mandatory Training Hub for ATSOs.
| Course name | Course duration and time paid (minutes) |
Course frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Code of Ethics and Conduct (PSC) | 40 | Annually |
| Emergency Care | 80 | Every 3 years |
In-person training
The ATSO training team conducts in-person CPR, Anaphylaxis and Professional Development training at various locations across NSW throughout the year.
Eligible ATSOs will be sent an email invitation and SMS approximately three weeks before the scheduled event. Please monitor your departmental email regularly for updates.
ATSOs who have completed a first aid course with a private provider must email the ASTP atso.astp@det.nsw.edu.au to see if the course is recognised and approved. Course fees and training time are at the individual's own expense.
Please check the tentative ATSO training schedule for the dates and locations.
Additional training for students with higher level needs
Schools play an important role in supporting ATSOs. They are responsible for facilitating individual health care training for ATSOs and providing a copy of the health care or behaviour plan.
Sometimes students on assisted school travel have specialised emergency health support or behaviour support needs. This may mean that ATSOs require extra training in addition to the mandatory training provided by the ASTP. If additional training is required, the school must first make arrangements with the ASTP.
ATSOs supporting students with additional health care needs must have up to date training in CPR, Anaphylaxis and Emergency Care as a minimum requirement.
Learn more about additional training for ATSOs.