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 ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø 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 New to the department webpage.
Students cannot be transported until the appropriate training of the ATSO has taken place.
Online training
The New to the department webpage 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.
New ATSOs - Online Training
ATSOs must complete nine online training modules all within the first 12 months of becoming department employees. These training modules are broken down into three separate groups: First day, within 3 months and within 12 months of becoming an ATSO.
On the first day of employment with the department, ATSOs are required to complete the following mandatory training before they can work with students.
Within the first 3 months of employment with the department, you must complete the following two courses. The ASTP recommends you complete these as soon as possible.
Within 12 months of employment with the department, you must complete the following two courses. The ASTP recommends you complete these as soon as possible.
Existing ATSOs – Online training
From the beginning of 2026 existing ATSOs must complete the Annual Competency Check – School-based Staff every year.
To be eligible for the Annual Competency Check, ATSOs MUST have completed all nine of the courses listed for New ATSOs.
All ATSOs – In person training
New ATSOs will be invited to attend an in-person training event within 10-12 weeks of commencing employment with the department. For existing ATSOs, the in-person training will be conducted annually.
An invitation with details will be sent to your Department of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø email address 3 weeks prior to the training sessions.
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Recognition and Management of Anaphylaxis (RAMOUP)
When logging in to the MyPL web page and enrolling in courses, you must use your Department of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø email address. Using a personal email will result in your completion being unavailable to us for record keeping.
Do not complete online training unless you have first signed and returned your STT letter of offer.
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.